Martin Lorentz

Mountaineer and traveler, loving the adventure since I was a kid and willing to fly so much. I was forge as a timber framer in a craftsman association. Now building air-suspended structures, cabins, travelling camper, film set concept building, renovating middle age Castle and Century old wooden ships. Exploration is my way of life. Flying is my passion!

What was the path that leads you to today?

I start my life being inspired by the Massif du Mont Blanc and his glaciers above my head because I was made in Chamonix Valley.

My grandfather and father were passionate Mountaineer and great rock climbers, I do have the same passion and the will to explore the natural elements by all ways, surfing, climbing, trekking, flying, diving, snowboarding, hang gliding, and dreaming as well.

Who inspired you to do what you do?

Many people have inspired me, family, friends, mountain guides, the stories of Roger Frison Roche, the adventure of this incredible Norwegian boat The Fram that has reached North and South Pole, and of course the Mountains and Oceans themselves!

What have been the biggest obstacles you have encountered?

Dealing with French administration!

Biggest triumphs?

First take off on an ice slope ending in a granite cliff from north face of Aiguille du Midi at 3842m with a mini inflatable Hang glider *(the woopy). And fast speed riding flight through the Aiguilles de Chamonix.

What is the most important lesson life has taught you?

Life taught me that it could be more dangerous to avoid fears than to go through them. And also that regrets come from inaction rather than action so go for It! Above all life taught me how to respect the elements and the living beings.

What are the things that help you get through each adventure and why?

The will of discovering and the curiosity of intense experience give me the strength to go through adventures. And the wisdom of the locals on new places, countries or disciplines and the beauty of the present moment!

What scares you and how do you deal with fear?

I am scared of being stuck up in life or anywhere else. I manage and organise my life to get the maximum freedom. I am also scared of stupidity, human destruction and closed mind, I try to be and to do the opposite as much as I can!

Why is getting outdoors so important in modern life?

Because modern life provides less and less wild places and less and less time to be wild... We need to express and feel wilderness as it is part of our good health balance.

Amongst all the adventures you have been involved with, which is the most unforgettable and why?

New Zealand 2008, Wanaka Treble Cone Peak. Doing a Hang glider and speed gliding competition with a bunch of crazy Kiwi pilots. After three days they hooked me up with a burning hill at sunset! I flew above forest fire in strong thermic turbulences and felt like a dead leaf. That was definitely unforgettable even if I lost consciousness for a short time after I had my head strongly hit in the turbulences. I ended up very low above Wanaka lake and managed to return to the fire in order to gain a great altitude to finally reach the landing after 2 hours fighting in the airs just before dark night.

Who has been an unsung in your life?

My father who taught me how to stay calm, strong and sharp in crisis (for example rappelling down quickly a high peak when an unpredictable storm is coming).

What's next for you?

Eastern Europe countries discovery (on process), Mountaineering in Georgia, old wooden ship Trans-Atlantic adventure, and then South America.

Becoming a micro light aircraft amphibious pilot, get the hang glider tandem licence and of course build more crazy structures suspended in the trees.

Do you have a motto you live by?

I don't really live by one motto but theses ones mean something for me:

I cannot be sure exactly where I am going but for sure I am going somewhere.

Spontaneity is a strong kind of Adventure.

A ship is safe in harbour, but that's not what ships are built for.