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Gavin McClurg

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Gavin Noll McClurg
File:Gavin McClurg paraglider pilot.jpg
Gavin McClurg paragliding over the Alaska Range
Personal information
Born (1972-04-21) April 21, 1972 (age 52)
EducationUniversity of Colorado Boulder (BS Business)
OccupationParagliding pilot / Athlete
WebsiteGavin McClurg website
Climbing career
Known forLong vol-biv routes, Red Bull X-Alps Competitor North American foot-launch distance record (240 miles) from Mt Baldy, Idaho to Canyon Ferry Lake, Montana

Gavin McClurg (born April 21, 1972) is an American paragliding pilot, adventurer and offshore sailor. As a paraglider, he pioneered a route over the Alaska Range along with Dave Turner,[1] and completed several expeditions over remote areas across North America.[2][3] As a sailor, he circumnavigated the Earth twice.[4]

Paragliding career

McClurg set the free-distance USA foot launch paragliding record at 387 km in 2013, taking off from Sun Valley, Idaho.[5] He was awarded the National Geographic Adventurer of the Year nomination in 2015 for an 18 day crossing of the Canadian Rockies from McBride, British Columbia to the US border with Will Gadd, documented in the film The Rockies Traverse.[6][7] McClurg completed the Red Bull X-Alps race in July, 2015 finishing in 8th place.[8] On May 5, 2016 McClurg set out with Dave Turner to traverse the full length of the Alaska Range by foot and paraglider, unsupported. The 480 mile route had never been attempted by paraglider. McClurg completed the route solo on July 17, 2016 after 37 days.[9]

Film and videos

McClurg has been in a number of paragliding and adventure films. His latest, produced by the Red Bull Media House include The Rockies Traverse[10] and North of Known, which premiered at the Banff Mountain Film Festival in November, 2016.

  • The Rockies Traverse (video) Gavin McClurg and Will Gadd cross the Canadian Rockies to the US border.
  • 500 Miles to Nowhere (video) Gavin McClurg, Nick Greece, Matt Beechinor and Nate Scales attempt a vol biv route across Utah and Wyoming.
  • The Higher You Get the Higher you Get (video) paragliding in Sun Valley, Idaho
  • Surfing the Sierras (video) Gavin McClurg and a group of paragliders completes a vol-biv route from south to north up the Sierra Mountains of California to the Oregon border.
  • They Paraglided 800 km in 34 Days and Camped on Mountain Tops from Banff Mountain Film Festival (video)
  • These guys paraglide to their campsites (video) released 2014, from National Geographic
  • The Dune Discovery (video) documents kitesurfing, surfing, paragliding and sailing around the world on a five year expedition

Television

McClurg has been featured in several television shows such as "Locals" and "Dispatches" on Outside Television.[11] He has also done commercial work for Ford[12] and Subaru.

References

  1. ^ Fawn, DeSiree (January 13, 2017). "Local professional paraglider premieres film at Limelight Hotel Ketchum". KMVT.
  2. ^ Keil, Laura (December 7, 2014). "U.S. border or bust: Will Gadd & Gavin McClurg paraglide 800km +VIDEO – The Rocky Mountain Goat News". www.therockymountaingoat.com.
  3. ^ Behar, Michael (May 4, 2015). "Paragliding British Columbia". Outside Online.
  4. ^ Coster, Helen (December 31, 2009). "Offshore Odysseys Is No Typical Timeshare Operator". Forbes.
  5. ^ "Footlaunch paragliding record falls in the USA". Retrieved 22 July 2013.
  6. ^ Cahall, Fitz (6 November 2016). "Will Gadd and Gavin McClurg, Adventurers of the Year 2014/2015 - National Geographic". Retrieved 17 April 2017.
  7. ^ "Ketchum Resident named "Adventurer of the Year"". Retrieved 11 November 2014.
  8. ^ "Results 2015 - Red Bull X-Alps". Red Bull X-Alps. 6 November 2016. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
  9. ^ [www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/activities/aerial-sports/gavin-mcclurg-alaska-traverse/ "A Paraglider's 'Crazy' Attempt to Fly Over the Alaska Range"]. National Geographic. 6 October 2016. Retrieved 17 April 2017. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  10. ^ "The Rocky Mountains Traverse - Explorers: Documentaries S3 E5".
  11. ^ "Base Jump with Gavin McClurg".
  12. ^ "Uncharted Expeditions: paragliding in Wyoming".Ford