D I S T I N C T LY M O N TA N A • S U M M E R 2 0 1 7
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Watch Jeff Shapiro take a
wingsuit leap from Bitter-
root Moutains:
www.distinctlymontana.com/sky173
DISTINCTLY MONTANA | DIGITAL
J
EFF SHAPIRO IS A MODERN-ACTION SPORTS RENAISSANCE MAN.
A falconer and expert rock climber from Missoula, Shapiro flies hang gliders
over the Missoula Valley and wingsuits in the Bitterroot Mountains. Wingsuit
flying is an extreme form of aerial adventure, involving BASE jumping with a
wingsuit, soaring at high speed across the terrain, then opening a parachute to
land. BASE jumping takes its name from the different structure that some
parachutists jump from — Building, Aerial (Antenna), Span (bridge), Earth
(cliff or mountain). Shapiro has some great videos on Youtube.
"With wingsuit flying", says Shapiro, "you're not flying something,
YOU are flying."
While few would take is as far as Shapiro does, who hasn't admired the
soaring flight of an eagle or hawk and dreamed of flying?
Sport flying is surprisingly accessible and affordable in Montana, where
endless skies offer adventure for anyone from neophyte thrill seekers to daring
speed fliers. Hundreds of people take to the air over Montana every year via
parachute, paraglider, and hang glider.
If you have always wanted to fly the big sky, why not jump in (or out) and give it
a try. Aspiring sport flyers should start by taking lessons with expert instructors.
Preparing to paraglide outside of Bozeman
PAUL
ROYS
ANDY
MACRAE
By PHIL KNIGHT
