is hang gliding still a thing?

[AllaN01Bear]

with the kites and not paragliding? thanks

[MontanaMama]

1. I don't know!

I live in a valley with tons of paragliders…it’s been years and years since I’ve seen a hang glider. I live at the base of a mountain where paragliders launch almost daily.

My high school senior son called paragliders “kite ropers” when he was a toddler…he’s 18 years old in May. So, it’s been at least that long since I’ve seen a hang glider.

[OAITW r.2.0]

2. I did it a few times in the 70'a.

Never made it above 50ft and didn't go far, maybe 500 ft. The really ballsy hand gliders I met were up at Mt. Katahdin in Me. They had to carry their equipment up from Chimney Pond and take off on top at the chimney. Basically take the wing from a vertical orientation to a horizontal...and off you went!

[Effete Snob]

3. Paragliding is safer

Lots of broken ankles, but the worst-case scenarios tend to be more favorable when one is, essentially, already using a parachute.

They go into a backpack, and up you go on a ski lift or gondola.

It fits in the trunk of the car.



You can land anywhere and walk out with it.

Hang gliding doesn't seem to offer those advantages.