by Xavier Grey

Created on: July 13, 2008   Last Updated: July 15, 2008

Many people can look back at their childhood and recall clutching their first helium filled balloon. Defying gravity by some unseen force that invoked a sense that this balloon was truly special. A reality cemented by a reluctance to discard it, even as it began to descend a little more each day.

Little did we know that our thoughts pertaining to a balloons ability to assist in flight would eventually be brought to life by individuals with a combination of balloons, harnesses, and arguably far too much free time. Releasing ballasts to ascend, and popping balloons to descend offer some semblance of control, while the wind currents provide direction. Unconventional perhaps, but it sure does sound like fun.

The balloon has always been a party favorite, especially those filled with helium That same childhood appeal, combined with it's voice altering properties relegate the helium balloon into a class of it's own. Far better than normal balloons filled with air, even those menacing versions filled with water which serve as ammunition in a wet and wild offensive pale in comparison. The champion is the helium balloon, now so more than ever because they literally let a person aspire to greater heights.

Just imagine the possibilities, as you're lying in a hospital bed, fretting the impending Colonoscopy you've been putting off for so long. If only you could collect enough balloons to spirit yourself away to some distant shore, where latex gloves and lube by the tube can't find you.

Anyone who has researched the history of flight can attest to the reality that the desire to transcend the restrictions of gravity involves a calculated risk. Every version of flight known to man is the result of an underlying ambition to achieve freedom, be it from geography or gravity. Newton's Law can't be broken, but it can be tested.

The passion behind "Cluster Ballooning" might easily be misconstrued as reckless abandon. Veteran balloonists like John Ninomiya illustrate that safety is never sacrificed for the sake of adventure. With 40 flights under his belt, or harness in this case, Ninomiya has translated his passion for hot air balloons into the new trend of cluster ballooning, which he states comprise his most magical experiences in flight.

The most publicized cluster balloon flight happened in 1982. Larry Walters, combined the use of 42 balloons and a lawn chair to accomplish this unorthodox feat. Having intended only to reach a height of a few hundred feet, Walters overshot his goal

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