Emberger Alm – Greifenburg, Austria

MY MOMENT

Beyond the route, an unexpected encounter.

My first visit to Emberger Alm was a chance to get to know the hundred-kilometre-class triangle route around the Kreuzeckgruppe that I had long wanted to explore. For me, it was an introduction: seeing how the mountains connected, and discovering what it actually felt like to fly the routes that drew pilots from so many places.

There I met a young Chinese pilot from the United States. He was in his early twenties, with long, flowing hair and a rather shy, quiet manner. In the air, though, he flew boldly and beautifully. His talent was unmistakable. We flew together through the valley, sharing a memory that still makes me smile.

Later, he focused on cross-country competition, made it to the World Cup, and achieved some remarkable results. When I think back to that day, I remember more than the mountains and the route. I remember that quiet young man and the brilliance he showed in the sky. Sometimes you set out to discover a route, and it is an encounter that stays with you.