If you’re like me and know nothing of the world of professional paragliding, you may ask yourself why a paraglider with accolades like being National Geographic’s 2015 “Adventurer of the Year” and who’s sponsored by Patagonia, Garmin, Smith Optics, and more would live in Sun Valley, Idaho. As it turns out, Sun Valley is world famous for its paragliding, with all the nation’s paragliding records set here. Gavin moved to Sun Valley in 2012, after spending fifteen years sailing around the world, and promptly set the record for longest flight in the US from a mountain in 2013 by flying from the top of Baldy to Canyon Ferry Lake in Montana. A lifelong adventurer, Gavin has been featured in films like Red Bull’s The Rockies Traverse, TGR’s LOCALS, and many more; operated a net-zero carbon offshore sailing/kitesurfing expedition for many years; and has had several first descents in kayaking in Central America. Gavin still loves to adventure, whether that’s flying or backcountry skiing (he’s been skiing since growing up ski racing in Lake Tahoe), but he’s also a family man now, with he, his wife Mattie Mulick (a trainer at the YMCA), daughter Fallon (age 7) and their rescue dog Ranger living in their new home out Indian Creek. Here’s how Gavin would spend his perfect September day in the Wood River Valley.
How does your morning start?
Gavin: I roast my own beans—I’m quite a coffee snob. So I’ll make a latte. I usually don’t eat right away. I’d wake up and hike and fly, either Sun Peak or what we call Burnt Hill at the back of Indian Creek. A “hike and fly” is you just hike up with all your gear rather than drive up the mountain, so you get a little exercise and then fly down. If I’m at Sun Peak, which is right above the country club, then afterword I’d treat myself and go to Konditorei and have crab cakes and more coffee—I love Konditorei, and I love their coffee. Or on a more normal morning I go to Kneadery or Wrap City.
What’s after breakfast?
Gavin: If it was a banger day, I’d definitely go up Baldy do a long flight and fly to Stanley and have lunch at Stanley Bakery and get their Migas—it’s chips, and eggs, and beans. I’d say hi to Tim and Becky [Cron, the owners].
What’s the afternoon like?
Gavin: Then go have a soak in the Boat Box, since it’s starting to get cooler in September. If I have time, I’d grab a beer at Galena Lodge on the way back.
What’s for dinner?
Gavin: I’d either throw some ribs on the Traeger—just got a new Traeger I’ve really been loving—or have ceviche at Jhony’s with the family; Fallon loves their artichoke.
Doing anything after dinner?
Gavin: We have a living roof, which I can land on and since we’re out Indian Creek where it’s super dark, we’d go on the roof and do some star gazing. Then maybe a hot tub or sauna, which we just built, and then to bed!
