HOW I FILMED A PARAGLIDING ADVENTURE IN ALASKA
Our Project: To reach a pristine volcanic island by bush plane in Alaska, then soar above it in a paraglider.
Paul Guschlbauer flying above Augustine Volcano. June 2024, Alaska
THE ENCOUNTER
Every story begins with a meeting. The first time I remember Paul was during a photoshoot for a seminar hosted by his sponsor. The paragliding brand had gathered its athletes to debrief on the Red Bull X-Alps 2023 and celebrate everyone's achievements with the company's team. As usual, Paul arrived late. His aura, Red Bull cap, and trademark smile made up for it. I can't quite recall my first impression of him. I didn’t know his personality or his track record yet. During the seminar, I spoke to everyone, including his girlfriend Veronika, but nothing with Paul—he was often on the phone.
A few weeks later, the brand reached out for a product shoot—an innovative jacket specially designed for paragliding. And so, there we were one crisp autumn morning in the Austrian Alps, just Paul and me. Between scenes, we chatted, exchanged stories, and I began to discover a different Paul—a radiant person. He was the kind of individual for whom life seems effortless, someone who downplays feats and makes dreams feel like promises.
Two months later, we were off to Rio for a hike-and-fly event he was developing across Europe and beyond. Living together was easy; our worldviews aligned, and the challenges we faced there deepened our friendship.
It was then that Paul shared a personal story: a few years prior, he had crossed the Americas in a bush plane. He had planned his Alaskan adventure with Ken MacDonald —famed pilots and mechanics. He then confided in me his dream: to paraglide over a volcanic island in Alaska.
Sunset in Willow , Alaska - June 2024 ©robinissartel
“Alaska is wide, Alaska is wild Alaska is a very special place. One of my favorite on planet earth.”
MOUNT AUGUSTIN
Paul Guschlbauer and Thomas MacDonald flying above Augustin Volcano - June 2024 ©robinissartel
Mount Augustin is an active volcano located off the coast of Alaska, in the Pacific Ocean. It sits at the edge of the Aleutian Islands, near Iliamna Lake—one of the most fish-rich lakes in the region. The lake is a seasonal haven for salmon migrating to spawn in its upstream rivers, attracting thousands of bears eager for the feast.
A few years earlier, Paul had spotted the snow-capped cone rising out of the water during one of his flights in a Piper Super Cub. At that moment, he decided he would return with his paraglider to someday fly above it.
PREPARATION
Alaska is full of surprises, and preparation was key to making this project a reality.
The plan: eight hours of flying over Alaska's wild landscapes, between lakes and mountains, with a stop on Iliamna’s airstrip before crossing the lake of the same name. Iliamna Lake is also famous for its legendary creature—a giant monster said to measure over five meters in length. But the real challenge would be landing on the side of an active volcano. As for the paragliding, if the weather cooperated, Paul would be in control.
Paul, Ken, and his son Thomas took care of logistics and weather analysis, optimizing our chances for success.
As for me, I focused on my photo and video gear, with one major concern: energy. When preparing for a bush plane expedition, everything that goes into the plane is weighed and arranged carefully to ensure balance, performance, and safety—batteries, in particular, are heavy.
I opted for a small backup power bank and meticulously managed my batteries—three for my Mavic 3 Pro drone and four for my camera. I also planned to recharge via USB-C from the plane's generator during flight (which, in the end, didn’t work).
My photography gears for a paragliding adventure in Alaska - June 2024 ©robinissartel
In addition to my camera and drone, we equipped the planes with GoPros inside the cockpit to capture audio from the communications and record the flying experience. We also mounted 360 cameras on both wings and the tail axis of the planes to capture some truly unique perspectives.
You can watch the full video here !
For German Speakers read the RedBull article
FINAL THOUGHTS
This adventure was a perfect blend of technical planning and pure passion for adventure. From navigating the wilderness to soaring above one of Alaska’s most remote volcanoes, every moment was an exhilarating reminder of the magic that happens when you pursue your dreams—no matter how far off the beaten path they may seem.
