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PITON ROND

Situation : Plaine des Palmistes

GPS: WGS84 S -21.15493 - E 55.59763

Height: 1 459 m ASL

Access : From Saint-Denis : Go to Saint-Benoit and take the "Route des Plaines". Go pastthe village Plaine des Palmistes and tackle the bends. The peak is to the right.
From Saint-Pierre : Take the road which crosses Reunion (it is also the road to the Volcano). Cross Bourg-Murat, continue up to the collar and come down then on the coast (very tight bends), the peak is on the left.

The road which rises to the takeoff is forbidden for vehicles. Park on road side. Five minutes'walk to reach takeoff ground.

Aerology : One flies under the wind when weather report is N-NE

Flight plan : Small site where we can often play in dynamics, unfortunately we can not be numerous in the air. Respect the priorities.
Crossing is possible by leaving to the right or to the left. Regrettably ceilings are often too low. Very beautiful flights were realized, although it is very difficult to go out of the jar.

Landing : WGS84 : S: -21.15203 E : 55.60029. Just at feet of takeoff, fields in front of henhouse. Fold wings on the road not to block the landing-ground . Fragile site !!!


Landing seen from takeoff


A little of history : Piton Rond is one of the first paragliding sites in Reunion island

It is at the request of Michel Jean Albert, responsible for the Bourbon para-club that I came to the island in November, 1984.
Welcomed by Jonnhy Jordan and others, I was taken to the mountain on the very day of my arrival. At this time I had to make my attempts Magic 5 boxes wing.
Having seen the landing zone in Colorado, I tempted nothing; impossible mission.
On the next day, we went to Plaine des Palmistes, on the Piton Rond. Takeoff pontoon, which was masked by a repulsive vegetation and a fog to hold the checkmate of a ventilator standing. Back on the next day with Michel Jean Albert. Clear sight, but no outline downward. Excursion in Kékés, ascent in trees and enjoyment to discover fields to welcome me. Take off with a five box from a pontoon with a guard of honour, that can make me hesitate. But the whimsical Aeolus should be cheerful that morning there. With more and more instigation and force, he invited me to tempt for what I had come.
Being maintained by Michel during the phase of inflating, stabilization of the sail, and... Champagne ! Torn away as a drunk cork, I took off from the height which allowed me to acheve a successful flight, something technical, with the wings of that time, unthinkable, impracticable [...].
Flight and landing were perfect ; from that time It was possible to fly in Reunion ! For 15 days, most parachutists practised on the unforgettable Piton Rond. The first big flight was realized one evening back to the Plain, on the site of Grand-Bassin. That evening the ancestries were atthe meeting, going back up of the bottom of this magnificent ilet small set in the heart of the "ravine". I had sworn to make this flight before my return. Five of us took their flight on the continent with for runway the space. Coming down with the night and landing in the green of the watercress bed. Even in the darkness enjoyment could be seen on faces. The ascent, unknown to our metropolitan legs, in a repulsive grey seemed very long to us. The island of Reunion at the end of 1984 had just gifted us its hillsides and its sky.
Every year I returned to promote this sport help of many generous and fascinated people. Numerous sites were opened, experimented by the local pioneers who, from lack of experience, had a faith to "make mountains rise".
Those of you who came afterwards, or will come now enjoy evolving through the airs of Reunion, please, respect one minute of silent flight to think of those who opened for you the " paths of the sky " on Reunion island.

Gérard BOSSON