XPeaks - New paths to old mountains!

XPeaks – New Routes on Old Mountains | Chrigel Maurer & Peter von Känel

82 Four-Thousanders in 51 Days—An Incredible Feat

XPeaks – New Routes on Old Mountains tells the story of one of the most fascinating hike-and-fly projects in the Alps. Chrigel Maurer and Peter von Känel are taking on an extraordinary challenge: to climb all 82 four-thousanders (4,000-meter peaks) in the Alps—exclusively on foot and by paraglider.

On June 10, 2024, the two set out from their home in Frutigen in the Bernese Oberland. Ahead of them lie high-Alpine peaks, long ascents, demanding ridges, changeable weather, and challenging paragliding flights. After 51 eventful days, they reach their final four-thousander, the Jungfrau, and then fly back to Frutigen.

The book *XPeaks – New Paths to Old Mountains* takes you along on this extraordinary journey, blending the worlds of mountaineering, hike & fly, paragliding, cross-country flying, and alpine adventure.

When Mountaineering and Paragliding Merge

The special appeal of XPeaks lies in the combination of two disciplines. While Peter von Känel, as a mountain guide, brings his vast experience in challenging alpine terrain to the table, Chrigel Maurer ranks among the world’s most successful and experienced paragliders. The Eagle of Adelboden. A pioneer in flight.

These different strengths complement each other in a remarkable way. Where classic mountain tours are often characterized by long descents, paragliding opens up entirely new possibilities. Summits become launch sites, valleys can be flown over, and different mountain regions can be connected.

This is precisely the idea behind *New Paths to Old Mountains*: connecting well-known peaks in a new, easy, and creative way.

A Hike & Fly book about much more than records

XPeaks is not merely a documentation of a top athletic achievement. Peter von Känel provides insights into the decisions and considerations behind the project.

How do you plan an adventure of this magnitude? When does a route need to be adjusted? How do you deal with weather, exhaustion, and uncertainty? And how does a team function when both partners are physically and mentally challenged for weeks on end?

Among other things, the book covers:

• Preparation and planning for a challenging Hike & Fly project
• Tactics and route selection in high mountains
• Flying and flight techniques
• Risk management and decision-making
• High-altitude paragliding
• Challenging takeoffs and flights
• Weather and Changing Conditions
• Dealing with errors and unexpected situations
• Teamwork and mutual trust
• physical and mental strain
• Creative solutions for seemingly unsolvable situations

Thus, XPeaks – New Paths to Old Mountains offers not only exciting entertainment but also thought-provoking insights for ambitious paragliders and mountaineers.

Paragliding Across the Alps

The XPeaks project impressively demonstrates the possibilities opened up by combining paragliding and mountaineering. Over the course of their adventure, Chrigel Maurer and Peter von Känel cover hundreds of kilometers on foot, climbing, and flying.

The paraglider is not simply used as a means of descent. Cross-country flights become part of the route planning and connect mountains and valleys. This makes XPeaks particularly exciting for hike-and-fly pilots, paragliders, and vol-bivouac enthusiasts.

At the same time, the project demonstrates that in the high mountains, maximum flight performance alone is not the decisive factor. Safety, weight, reliable handling, weather assessment, and the ability to correctly evaluate situations play an equally important role.

Authentic Insights from Peter von Känel

The author of the book is Peter von Känel. As a mountain guide, alpinist, former competitive paraglider, and author of specialized books, he brings a rare combination of alpine and aviation experience to the table.

He describes the adventure authentically, vividly, and with a healthy dose of self-deprecating humor. In addition to spectacular moments, the story therefore also addresses difficulties, poor decisions, and situations that call for improvisation.

Storms, exposed ridges, challenging flying conditions, and creative “magic moves” are just as much a part of the story as the collaboration between two exceptionally experienced mountaineers.

Who is *XPeaks – New Paths to Old Mountains* for?

The book is particularly interesting for:

• Paragliders
• Hike & Fly pilots
  
• Mountaineers and alpine climbers
• Cross-country pilots
• Vol-bivouac pilots
• Mountain guides and outdoor athletes
• Fans of Chrigel Maurer
• Readers of extraordinary adventure stories
• Anyone who wants to combine hiking and paragliding

Even if you aren’t planning any extreme hike-and-fly tours yourself, you’ll gain a fascinating insight into the minds of two exceptionally experienced mountaineers and paragliders.

Highlights from XPeaks

• A unique hike & fly adventure in the Alps
• All 82 four-thousand-meter peaks in the Alps
• Project completed in 51 days
• Traveling on foot and by paraglider
• Start and finish in Frutigen in the Bernese Oberland
• A combination of hiking, climbing, high-altitude mountaineering, alpine touring, and paragliding
• Personal insights into planning, tactics, climbing, and risk management
• Experiences from Chrigel Maurer and Peter von Känel
• Exciting adventures in high-alpine terrain
• High-quality, full-color hardcover
• The perfect gift for paragliders and mountaineers

Technical Details

Title: XPeaks – New Routes on Old Mountains
Author: Peter von Känel
Project: Chrigel Maurer & Peter von Känel
Publisher: Edition Filidor
Language: German
Length: 168 pages
Print: 4-color
Binding: Hardcover
Format: 16.5 × 22.5 cm
Publication Year: 2024