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We can only wonder what was going through Dario Zanon’s mind as he peered over the edge of a foggy cliff above northern Italy’s Lake Garda. Whatever it was, it wasn’t enough to stop him and fellow wingsuit specialist Uli Emanuele from spreading their wings – metaphorically speaking – and swooping down the rugged Dolomite mountain range.
Zanon and Emanuele’s stunt – done in conjunction with GoPro – begins with them picking their way along the cliff’s edge, offering a panoramic shot of the rugged mountainside and giving way to a view of Lake Garda (clearest at 0:43). Lake Garda – also known as Lake Benaco – is the largest lake in the country, surrounded by three distinct regions: Lombardy, Trentino Alto-Adige and the Veneto. Unsurprisingly, the lake is a popular tourist attraction, with a mild Mediterranean climate drawing in visitors.
There are no tourists to be seen, however, as Zanon and Emanuele suit up to take the leap. It is an intimate, quiet moment, which extends to suspenseful silence as they freefall off the mountain, spreading their wings to catch the wind.
At 1:03, Lake Garda comes into full view, glimmering beneath the afternoon sun and reminding viewers of the region’s incredibly beauty. Almost immediately, the camera comes dangerously close to the jagged cliff edge; the wingsuiters almost seem to be skimming the tops of the rocks.
Perhaps the most thrilling view comes into frame at 1:42, when the camera turns to catch a glimpse of Zanon silhouetted against Monte Baldo, the “garden of Italy”, located in the northern Dolomite range. Sitting at 1,760m high, this mountain range is one of the best spots to get a perfect picture of Lake Garda on a sunny day. In winter, it becomes a hotspot for ski and winter sports enthusiasts.
Of course, if you’re worried about getting stuck on Monte Baldo, don’t be. You won’t need to wingsuit off a cliff like Emanuele and Zanon did. Just take the cable car down.
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