My name is Brad Sander and today I am 34 years old. That’s a surprise to me too. When did it become the end of July and when did I get to be in my mid 30’s, and what am I doing updating this blog on my birthday??
There is so much to write about from June and July here in Pakistan and it’s not getting done because it’s still flyable, I have to squeeze out something quick and then pack some food for tomorrow.

The news is this, the area of Pakistan where my friends and I are flying  is safe.  We read news of military operations in Swat and Waziristan, but they seem as distant to me as they must to my friends and family on the other side of the world. The Hindukush Mountains are proving to have huge potential for motivated pilots and amazing logistical support from incredible locals. 2 groups have done some amazing things this season and shown that with the right skills and preparation this incredible site yields huge rewards. Check out Demian, Roman and Rufo at http://pakpara2009.blogspot.com/ and especially Demian’s tracks  http://www.xcontest.org/world/en/pilots/detail:dimbo his energy and endurance are to be marvelled at.

Christian and Christian 2 Austrians friends have a blog here http://christianrankl.blogspot.com from their trip from North India to Pakistan and on to Kyrgystan, it is in German but the pictures are nice.

As for what I’ve done a few recent highlights-
1) Tandem flight from Chitral to Booni so I didn’t have to take a jeep. A great return after leaving under difficult circumstances last September.
2) Being able to attend the Shandur polo festival after a miraculous recovery from a mysterious chest pain. Being able to fly there for the second time was as unique as the first but not as impressive as Christians flight from Yarkhun Lasht to Booni and then to Shandur the same day! (150km)
3) A 7 day out and back bivy flight from Booni to Karimabad top landing all the way. During which I made a new crossing of Daintar Pass, was lucky to be in Karimabad for the July 11th celebration of the Aga Khan’s innaguration (local people lit fires on the hillside and rolled burning tires down vertical cliffs). Then after getting stuck not being able to cross Daintar pass from the opposite direction I spent 2 days learning to make goat butter with some incredible shepards while waiting out rain (these same shepards Demian and Roman had stayed with only a week before!)
4) With one rest day Fernando and I set off on a tandem bivy adventure but never used our food because we stayed with great locals in the Yarkhun valley  and ended by spending a night in Mastuj with Colonel Kuswanqh Ul Mulk (a 96 year old with an incredible spirit and amazing life, sharing a few moments with him was an inspiration)

I’d like to thank Sup Air for sponsoring me with a Altirando XP harness. This was my choice of the best suited to the flying I’m doing and indeed both Christians and Roman are using the same model.