Adventure racing in the Lake District with paragliders!

The X-LAKES is a hike-and-fly paragliding race in the dramatic Lake District (England). It pushes every competitor's flying skills to the limits. The added challenges of route-finding, strategy, endurance, and logistics make it progressively harder. Who will choose the best line, and bag the most Wainwrights (high points)? Join Greg Hamerton for a very personal account of an exceptional event: the X-LAKES 2020.
With special thanks to Luis Parsons
Learn more about hike and fly racing
on flywithgreg.com/
#paragliding #hikeandfly #fellrunning
MAP with kind permission of Richard Chandler
www.firtreemaps.com
Get the beautiful Fir Tree Aerial Map of the Lakeland Fells
amzn.to/34lZe9o
MUSIC FROM SOUNDSTRIPE
Nothing Stays The Same (Matt Wigton)
Found (Aardverk)
Turning The Tide (Cody Martin)
Magazine (Abloom)
Rabbit (Midnight Daydream)
In Silence (Moments)
00:00 INTRO
00:55 Pre-start atmosphere
02:35 The route explained
04:00 Start those trails
07:50 First flights
11:11 Disaster
11:58 Winning strategy
17:25 The hard path
21:50 Difficult decisions
24:47 The flying line
28:00 Prizegiving
29:25 Legacy
┌──────────────┐
FOLLOW ME
└──────────────┘
Subscribe ■ bit.ly/flywithgreg
Follow ■ / flywithgreg
Join ■ flywithgreg.com
┌───────────────────────┐
RECOMMENDED READING
└───────────────────────┘
The Best Flying Sites of the ALPS ■ bestflyingsites.com/
Paragliding Beginner's Guide ■ bit.ly/PGmanual
Fifty Ways to Fly Better ■ bit.ly/50waysfly
Mastering Paragliding ■ bit.ly/masteringPG
Understanding the Sky ■ bit.ly/understandsky
NOVELS BY GREG
Beyond The Invisible ■ smarturl.it/bigskylife
The Riddler's Gift ■ smarturl.it/TRG
Second Sight ■ smarturl.it/2S
┌───────────────────┐
MY FILMING GEAR
└───────────────────┘
My amazing 'chase' cam ■ bit.ly/INSTAONER
Alternative for beginners ■ bit.ly/INSTAONEX
My main camera ■ amzn.to/33YEqTM
Shorty tripod ■ bit.ly/shortyT
Backup power ■ amzn.to/3iXkl6e
In-flight microphone ■ amzn.to/2MUlfSV
Voice Recorder ■ amzn.to/3625Hr2
Music from Soundstripe ■ bit.ly/sstripe20
Editing with Adobe Premiere Pro ■ bit.ly/premierePRO
┌───────────────────┐
MY FLYING GEAR
└───────────────────┘
Harness: Supair Strike
Wing: Advance Omega X-Alps 3.22
Helmet: Supair School
Reserve: High Adventure Beamer 3 Light S
Backpack: Kortel Kolibri
Karabiners: Grivel NUT
Mini compass ■ amzn.to/3mFKd9f
Hook Knife ■ ebay.to/3clHtJm
Garmin Inreach Mini ■ amzn.to/3cpkjBK
Windsock ■ bit.ly/xcsock
For long cold XC flights ■ bit.ly/xcpeek
* AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE
Some of the links used in the description will direct you to websites where I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Along with the adverts displayed by KZbin these help to fund future productions.

[@comsol2008]

Takes a big man to put all those emotions out there for inspection..beautifully shot film

[@FlyWithGreg]

Thanks John. I like to keep it real. Faking it would be too exhausting :-)

[@stephenplace3575]

Totally agree 👍

[@jimkeys4758]

Thanks for being there to tell the story and know one can do as you do!

[@BiplanePilot229LL]

I love your honesty! It is encouraging to know that even the best can hit a wall, and get down, and yet find their joy again to fly again another day! Thank you!!!

[@marcbousquet9742]

This is hard to imagine how one feels when loosing a meaningless object, such as a camera, until you see the images, and then realize how precious is what you may have unknown lost. 🤔 Thanks Greg for the moments of peace you share with us. I can tell you now I feel both your sadness, loosing you camera, and your joy receiving it back! Cheers.

[@Andy182w]

Wow! Amazing film. Thank you so much for sharing. It takes a big man to wear his emotions on his sleeve for all to view. Much respect and good luck on the next one. Stay safe.

[@josephking7021]

Wow Greg! Beautiful presentation. You learned more losing than if you had won the race. Keep up the good work and videos. I’m not a PPilot but am with you all the way. Thanks for sharing.

[@samirstreatfield1996]

Wonderful stuff. Love hiking the Lake District and can't wait to return there to glide. Really enjoying your videos.

[@bluebolero9080]

Ah Greg, I always enjoy the X Lakes (ahem, I mean spectating and drinking beer at the Flight Park), but you’re film made me feel I had lived the comp with you. What highs and lows, and feats of mental and physical endurance. Thank you for such a wonderful soulful film (&thanks also to Luis for his part!)

[@peterredpath2693]

Big up to all the participants,looked exhausting,as a 60 year old powerkiter with a race buggy(I don't race,never have),who is recovering from heart surgery 15 months ago,you guys have inspired me,I've tandem glided in Tenerife twice,and will again on honeymoon this summer!,just flying my stunt kites for now before I get back in the buggy again!,Thankyou Greg,I was touched when they found your camera,teamwork makes the dreamwork,the pilots in Tenerife are crazy cool dudes,mine was a Frenchman,former champion,what a blast!,safe flying Greg,and all pilots,everywhere.

[@andrewmckay99uk]

Very rarely comment on videos. Amazing footage, so glad you found the camera. I used to Paraglide in the Lakes in the mid to late 1990’s and your video is tempting me back into the sport.

[@The_british_shorthair_blue]

Buddy Patterson is a legend! BUDDY LAAAAAD!!!!!!

[@the_pennine_paraglider]

Awesome 😁🌞🙏

[@Ripstop_pilot]

Superb look into this little comp. I used to compete up to European comps in kite buggying. I found competition frustrating, kit failures, exhaustion, plans not working out for me started to take the fun out of it. So I stopped competing and the fun returned, just doing it for fun with friends is amazing. As much as I'd love to compete in paragliding like you do here for the adventure and another element of the sport, I know what will happen, so I fly for fun, with friends and compete against myself (which can still be frustrating lol). Loosing the camera must have been a right ballache. Glad you got it back.

[@skywords]

Professional, beautiful and deep as always. Thanks Greg!

[@hipstadude]

😭Thank you so much for the raw honesty! So beautiful. Way to go Luis!! Inspirational.

[@johnwestall1]

We are all pilgrims Greg, masters: we shall go always a little further.

[@DevilX1975]

Nice film. Thanks to Luís. :)

[@kierancampbell3322]

As I expected, a captivating story , with unexpected twists and inspiring honesty.

[@FlyWithGreg]

Thanks Kieran, physically easier than the previous edition but strangely much harder because of the headspace. We missed your amazing photography in this edition!

[@hugoparapente]

Wonderful film Greg. Thanks for sharing with us your success, doubts, failures... and joy! And how to grow with them! :-)

[@pycoton]

Excellent ! A true documentary ! Everything is perfect : the scenery, video-editing, story-telling, music...keep up enjoying being with your friends and family. And paragliding of course. Thanks Greg !

[@nylonwing]

The X-Lakes deserves a "long form" video like this, and you've delivered it brilliantly. Such a spectacular weekend of memories and experiences. So glad the camera was found. Well done Luis! Ironically, my GoPro Session died the week after the competition! :)

[@FlyWithGreg]

Thanks David! Check out his perspective on the race kzbin.info/www/bejne/oHu2aGeprLOmprM

[@patdower2030]

A typical Greg film: beautiful, funny, inspiring and bit of extra agony. Congratulations Greg; you are a star!

[@LittleNoiseBoy]

Thanks, Greg. You're different level awesome. Wish I had a fraction of your skill, fitness - and philosophy. A beautiful, insightful video: thanks again...

[@robinhilliard]

Well done, I can imagine it’s been a big transition for you this year with the new channel and you must have felt the loss of the camera and content extra hard. I found this inspiring, I had an unsuccessful attempt at getting my paragliding certificate a few months back (just too heavy despite loosing a fair bit of weight in the lead up to the course, hard work getting off the ground, harness didn’t really fit and I managed to pull muscles in my legs on a takeoff run a few days in) which was somewhat humbling as a private pilot. Your resilience and sharing that even a bouncy chap such as yourself can have moments like this encourages me to keep going with the weight loss to repeat the course next year :-).

[@FlyWithGreg]

Keep going Robin, the more you exercise the stronger you get!

[@XNCorpsMrNobody]

luis a great man.

[@sarapanzarella97]

Great video! I was already obsessed with learning about paragliders and motors - now I am also obsessed with taking a trip to this beautiful area of the world!

[@dalroache]

This is my DREAM how awesome

[@elimmiho608]

Thanks so much for this emotional insight! Love your work Greg!

[@sreid70]

Great video Greg. Love all the commentary from all the pilots. Your videos are very inspirational.

[@marintoss]

I love your H&F videos.

[@justindavies8343]

Thanks for another great video Greg. Watching them really helps keep motivations alive, especially when the weather stops you from flying! Glad your camera was found to allow you to share some special moments. Great effort!

[@Graham_lee]

I just want to say this is one of the best videos you have done, for me anyway. It shows how mood can effect so much, depletion of motivation but how a glimmer of hope can lift the whole thing to a new dimension. Ive learned so much from you over the past year and how you portray your journey here gave me other areas to concentrate on. Im so glad you found your camera, well done Luis what a guy. You won in the end maybe not the race but you won over sadness. Thanks

[@steveetherington3413]

Another fantastic insight into your flying world thanks really enjoyed it!

[@AlanRussellZED]

Absolutely inspiring stuff Greg! Loving the 360 cam POV. Glad you got it back!!

[@michaelokorn3604]

I love you and your Videos Greg. Stay on your way. 😊

[@tomdupree2758]

thanks for sharing, not much to add that others haven't phrased better. Sharing a sense of humor failure is rather amazing.

[@ThibaultROHMER]

ahah so cool he found the camera!! And thanks for sharing those tough and emotional moments. It's awesome to have some experienced pilot - even teacher - showing it doesn't work all the time. Mental & physical both influence themselves. And always better to get back home safely rather than push too far. There are gonna be others flying days and races ;-)

[@ChrisJewell7333]

Thanks!

[@MeatTheBible]

Pretty cool. Thank you.

[@hansenpansen2314]

Always a Highlight your adventures to watch.

[@FlyWithGreg]

Always a highlight to find I have friends who love the same things I do :-)

[@lyallrobertson9761]

What a fabulous film Greg. Loved everything you have done from the Bubble days to now. Keep that spirit soaring brother! 😁

[@lewisjohn892]

Brilliant film, Greg! And who doesn't love a happy ending! Mandatory lanyard for the camera moving forward ;)

[@QuietCs]

Love your videos! Best paragliding material out there in my opinion 😊

[@Dyegoch]

Glad you got reunited with your memory, I felt the same when mistakenly deleting travel photos and videos. My ant(photographer from '80) once told me, enjoy the moment don't bother about the shot. Of course now a days this memories are working tools. Keep on flying Greg

[@philiasvog]

loved watching it greg..keep them going , it keeps me going in weeks of crap weather down south uk

[@FlyWithGreg]

Glad you enjoyed it Happy Flyer!

[@s.w.backcountry3982]

glad your friend found your camera. For us. and you. Another good one.

[@robertmout7240]

Ahhh! I so much wanted your plan to work. What a disappointment and then what a good way to reflect on it. And what beautiful footage and a wonderful support team. Thanks!

[@FlyWithGreg]

If I had the chance, I think I'd still try this strategy again. It just needed 5km/h more wind and the morning would have been soarable, and slightly less wind at the end and it would have been possible to get back, flying.

[@johnrudge777]

Wow! this video was really amazing and actually quite emotional as well. So pleased you got the camera back but what an amazing lesson! Thanks Greg! Spectacular footage and brilliantly edited! John

[@FlyWithGreg]

You're welcome John! The editing work is more exhausting than the race, so I'm glad its finished. But now ... I really wish I could do the race again. :-)

[@milcog3662]

Sublime vid again Greg. Different from most of your other films, but again educative and entertaining. Glad you ve got your insta back, both for yourself as also for the Paragliding community!

[@FlyWithGreg]

Thanks Milco, yes I'm joyous and frankly VERY surprised Luis found it, especially as it was nowhere near where I'd asked him to look. He had faith he would find it, and he did. Inspiring!

[@oederdekoe]

Wow!

[@franzaltmann7147]

Incredibly beatiful. Snd honest

[@ChrisJewell7333]

“Just wonderful” Greg…! Picked me up so i can fight again…👋

[@flyshacker]

Beautiful video & story! What countryside! I must say, this video quality far surpasses your Flybubble videos. You must have really upped your equipment. So glad you recovered your camera and outlook! 👍👍👍

[@xtremesensations]

Top man Greg lovely film and beautiful symmetry of emotions 🪂

[@FlyWithGreg]

I'm a bit of a wet rag in this one ... balanced by lots of sunshine!

[@paulbishop7399]

Hi from one of your friends you haven't met yet. x

[@Feidifly]

Really really emotional end.. I really enjoy your videos and learn a lot from you. Thanks 😉 Greedings from Austria

[@FlyWithGreg]

Thanks Dominik. Sometimes I wish I'd learn a bit more from me. Almost 30 years on and I'm still repeating/relearning similar facets of the same gem: think positive!

[@JJOKOCHA4]

Nice one, Shine on...

[@alainremi267]

Great! Quite a bunch of courageous guys (Was there any girls?) I love to see your great panoramas & the quite good 3D simulation. But I'm amazed at your SHAVED hills! In Québec they would be all covered with trees 😁😁😁

[@Mountain_Manu]

Awesome Video, Love those sporting event style videos. Pitty for the cam, i lost two in the last two years, know that feeling too well..

[@waynemartin5247]

Damn, I can't wait until November when I learn this sport.

[@GregHartSk8er]

Tough one Greg! Look on the bright side at least there were pubs near at hand for a steak and beer consolation and you didn't have to hike umpteen kilometers through the desert to get to Sutherland first. Stoked you got your camera back - thanks for the video.

[@FlyWithGreg]

haha, yes I've learned to keep my landings within a day of a pub meal :-)

[@meradost2399]

Loved it

[@P4n0r4mA]

You're awsome Greg :)

[@george44987]

I don’t understand the rules or what’s going on but that looks so fun I’ve bought a paragliding taster day hahah

[@m1kalD]

Thank you Greg for sharing your ups and downs..... & How wonderful your friends took time to look for your camera.... the Lakes are so beautiful, i still have many happy memories of walking and camping amongst them from 30 years ago.....

[@AHighlandParaglider]

This is your best yet Greg. You bared your soul & I honestly shed a little tear in the last three minutes. At the end of the day it’s the fun & joy that matter. Points are irrelevant. I’m sorry I didn’t see you at the award ceremony. I was flying at Souther Fell 👍😋. Keep up the great content. 💪🏻

[@laniik]

awesome! love your videos, really captures the ups and downs. BTW, if you record the Avyri clips at a lower speed (e.g., 16x), and then speed them up in post, it might be smoother for playback.

[@FlyWithGreg]

Thanks Oliver, yes I usually do that for shorter flights or ones with narration, I just get bored when doing a full day replay at low speed. I have to manually redirect the view angle so you can see the right part of the action.

[@laniik]

@@FlyWithGreg Ah yes that makes sense, you don't want to be manually operating the camera for 2 hours at a time. :D Sounds like Avyri needs a record and export feature!

[@MrCoolcool666]

Good to have mates that will give their time to help! You should help Luis by getting him a hair brush as payback? LOL

[@FlyWithGreg]

:-) I think that's the 'just come in from a 50km fell-run' look, which he wears well. Luis got some goodies, hopefully we'll see some videos from him soon.

[@MrCoolcool666]

@@FlyWithGreg Cool, should be good, thanks for the reply! Love your knowledge and videos! Thanks!

[@ozzyz3296]

Great video Greg, what kind of video camera you use to do this great videos and how you do the video shoot from behind so nice??

[@FlyWithGreg]

insta360 one R, it's a 360 camera so it removes the pole in the software, you can see the shadow occasionally

[@wadawads]

Excellent... How do you get the chase shots? 😎

[@FlyWithGreg]

insta360 one R on a selfie stick

[@rraymakers]

hi Greg, that blue shirt you are wearing(@23:59), it that one of those cheap ones from Decathlon?

[@FlyWithGreg]

Indeed, nice and comfy on hot days

[@stevenmellet5555]

I learned a lot from this video, about when to make the decision NOT to fly. Thank you Greg !

[@kylewolfman]

I wanna hike and fly

[@pattotimelapse184]

Greg what camera are you running it is crystal clear in 360 mode. Is it Insta 360 one r??

[@FlyWithGreg]

oh yes, that's why I was sad losing it. Insta One R. Very good camera.

[@pattotimelapse184]

@@FlyWithGreg Thanks i think that will be my new addition to my go pro 7-8

[@lamarmolada]

Greg… what a fucking Amazing Video! Like Trump said: tremendous 😂😂😂 love your way to Fly!

[@Itsallgoodtogo]

If the Ayvri footage wouldnt be so laggy this would have been perfect.

[@ThibaultROHMER]

I'd recommend using NVIDIA ShadowPlay or AMD ReLive according to what is your GPU to record the desktop.

[@FlyWithGreg]

Thanks Thibault I'll try that. I had internet problems which I think was the issue here, patchy backgrounds. Seems with covid even my fibre broadband is sick ... too many work-from-Homers

[@pentachronic]

Sometimes you have to have faith in good people. I found a phone at the mall with $400 stashed in it. I went to a place where it could be claimed. The owner called me on the phone and I let them know where I was. It was their daughters and they were so happy. Maybe the money was a birthday gift ? Anyway glad they got it back.

[@ThibaultROHMER]

time to refuel 🤣

[@Flightcoach]

Supporters in different sports behave differently: Hooligan at soccermatch: "DESTROY THEM YOU ASSHOLES! WE WILL BEAT THEM UUUUUUP! UHHHHH AAHHHHH!" Hipbag lady at 5:13: "Yay guys, have a GREAT DAY!"

[@SimpleLifeX]

Yoo Greg...come to XRIO in November, @xriopro the only URBAN Hike and Fly Comp