The TRAVELER'S JOURNAL: June nineteenth, paragliding in the Rockies.

Do you ever have dreams of flying? Not with motors or whirlybird propellers, but the kind where you lope down a slope and then float off into the sky? Paragliding is that dream come true.

A decade ago, it dawned on a few intrepid alpine climbers that going up the mountain was actually safer and more enjoyable than walking down. So they started stuffing parachutes in their backpacks and tried using them to get back to level ground. Modifying the aerodynamic design, they increased the chute's maneuverability and glide ratio until they could sail seven feet horizontally for each foot of fall. Not only could pilots glide off the mountainside with the greatest of ease, they were able to ride rising air currents, sail along many miles and stay aloft for hours. What a kick.

Paragliders are essentially rectangular parachutes that, when moving forward, fill with air and take on the aerodynamics of a wing. Though not without risk, paragliding is surprisingly easy, safe and inexpensive. Most beginners manage the basics in a few hours. After that, the sky becomes the only limit.

Small wonder then that more and more paraglider pilots can be seen riding lifts to the top of the nation's ski areas, in both winter and the less snowy seasons. Some hardier souls still trek to the top. Climbing a mountain with a 25 pound glider in a backpack, followed by a long flight of fancy back down can make you healthy and happy. Paragliding is soaring as you've always dreamed it would be.

FMI For info on paragliding: Parasoft, in Boulder, CO 303-494- 2820 or visit www.csd.net/~parasoft

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