Skydiving
Watch these skydivers fall into autumn with a flight full of colour
Mike Swanson and Jeff Provenzano visit old stomping grounds in northeast America to view by air the spectacular peak foliage that announces the arrival of autumn in Vermont.
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2 min
Fall Swoops in Vermont with Jeff Provenzano and Mike Swanson
Wingsuit flyers Mike Swanson and Jeff Provenzano visit Vermont to view from the air the spectacular peak foliage that welcomes the change of seasons from summer to autumn.
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There are many parts of the world that undergo beautiful seasonal changes throughout the year. Seasons represent a reinvention for both land and people.
In particular, autumn in the northeast of the United States is world renowned, and during peak foliage, Vermont is one of the main destinations for travellers to fully immerse themselves in the autumnal glory that sees the leaves from the native sugar maple trees turn to various hues of red, orange, and yellow. It is truly a spectacular sight to behold.
The vibrant Vermont maple trees of Jay Peak
© Greg Mionske/Red Bull Content Pool
Red Bull Air Force skydiver Mike Swanson knows this part of the world well. He's a third-generation skydiver who was born in Vermont and whose roots are still firmly planted in the US State. One of his lifelong dreams has been to return home to swoop over the foliage at Vermont’s Jay Peak as the colours change on the leaves there.
A project was put into planning with fellow Red Bull Air Force member and Connecticut local Jeff Provenzano lined up to do the skydive alongside Swanson. A dive like Jay Peak is not something that happens easily. The project's success would rely on the optimum time that peak foliage passed through Jay Peak, weather conditions for flying and of course no little luck.
Jeff Provenzano and Mike Swanson get ready to go up in the air
© Greg Mionske/Red Bull Content Pool
Peak foliage can vary from year to year but usually the colour change on the leaves begins in mid-September. Even then it varies when you'll be able to see it in Vermont. It progresses from north to south and higher to lower elevations during the course of the season.
“Dialing in an entire production crew and timing this project with peak foliage was nearly impossible, but we stuck at it. The entire team for this project had to travel to northern Vermont last minute when peak foliage was in sight due to the unpredictable timing of the leaves," explained Provenzano.
The boys get airborne
© Greg Mionske/Red Bull Content Pool
Fall colours explode as Mike Swanson flies over the beautiful foliage
© Greg Mionske/Red Bull Content Pool
Everything within sight is bright and bold
© Greg Mionske/Red Bull Content Pool
A leaf pile funnels up on Provenzano's landing
© Greg Mionske/Red Bull Content Pool
The awe-inspiring aerial scenes over Jay Peak and its vibrant Vermont maple trees was a reward that far outweighed the difficulties of coordinating a jump as intricate as this. The dive was a physical and visually spectacular success.
"Trying to hit peak colours and flyable weather was a challenge that definitely paid off," said Swanson.
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