Antoine Girard Releases New Film on 3,000km Rockies Vol-Biv Crossing
Antoine Girard has released a new film about his extraordinary 3,000km vol-biv crossing of the United States, following the Rockies mountain range from Mexico to Canada.
The French adventure pilot describes the journey as one that goes far beyond mere distance. As he puts it: “The greatness of a journey does not necessarily lie in the extreme, but in those simple moments when one feels alive, far from the world, suspended between earth and sky.”
The Route: Mexico to Canada Along the Rockies
Girard’s expedition took him along the spine of North America — the Rocky Mountains — covering some of the most diverse and challenging terrain on the continent.
“From the southern deserts where snakes glide through the dust to the vast Canadian forests watched over by bears, the journey gradually transforms into an inner quest for the true meaning of adventure,” he explains.
The route covered:
- Southern deserts of Mexico — scorching temperatures and minimal landing options
- High alpine terrain of Colorado and Wyoming — unpredictable weather and remote launch sites
- Northern forests of Canada — dense wilderness and wildlife encounters
What Is Vol-Biv?
For those unfamiliar, vol-biv (short for vol bivouac) is the art of fly-camping — paragliding from one location to another and sleeping rough along the way. It’s the purest form of adventure flying.
A typical vol-biv day involves:
- Hike to launch with all your gear (wing, harness, sleeping bag, food, water)
- Fly as far as conditions allow — sometimes 100km+, sometimes just a few kilometres
- Land and camp wherever you find yourself
- Repeat the next day
For a 3,000km journey, that means weeks or months of continuous travel through remote terrain — with no support vehicle, no backup plan, and no easy way out.
The Inner Journey
What makes Girard’s film compelling isn’t just the scale of the adventure — it’s the introspective angle. He describes the journey as an “inner quest for the true meaning of adventure.”
This is something many pilots can relate to. Long-distance flying isn’t just about covering ground — it’s about the mental and emotional experience of being completely self-reliant in the wilderness, making decisions based on weather and terrain, and finding a deeper connection with the natural world.
Watch the Film
The full film is available for download from Antoine Girard’s website: antoinegirard.fr/behind-the-rockies
A teaser trailer is also available on the xcmag article page.
Gear for Your Own Vol-Biv Adventure
Inspired to plan your own fly-camping trip? Make sure you have the right gear.
Pack Up Fast: Fast Pack Bag
On a vol-biv trip, you’ll be packing and unpacking your wing every single day. The Fast Pack Bag’s drawstring + buckle closure lets you pack quickly and get moving — whether you’re hiking to the next launch or setting up camp before dark.
Protect Your Wing: Concertina Bag
For longer transport sections between flying days, the Concertina Bag keeps your wing protected with accordion-style folding that minimises fabric creases.
Practise Ground Handling: Paragliding Harness Simulator
Before tackling a multi-day adventure, make sure your ground handling is rock solid. The Harness Simulator lets you practise kiting and wing control safely on the ground.