Paraglides float dangerously high: dramatic ascent over 8,000 meters!

Paraglides float dangerously high: dramatic ascent over 8,000 meters!

Qilian-Hochgebirge, Gansu, China - An extraordinary incident recently occurred in the Qilian high mountains in the province of Gansu, Northwest China. A 55-year-old paraglider tested a used paraglider and started at around 3,000 meters. Suddenly heavy winds started, which raised it to a height of breathtaking 8,589 meters. This height exceeds the flight altitude of many commercial aircraft and brings extreme challenges, especially in terms of temperature and oxygen content, which can be life-threatening at such heights, such as Tagesschau.de

During the dramatic ascent, the paraglider briefly lost awareness due to extreme cold and lack of oxygen. According to a terrifying experience, however, he managed to regain control of his paraglider and land safely. After landing, he contacted his companions who published a video of the incident. This showed the pilot in an ice-covered cloud, with an icy face and barely opened eyes, which attracted the attention of the authorities, reports .

official reactions and consequences

The incident led to a six -month flight ban for the paraglider, since the airspace in which it was not released for paragliding. The Air Sports Association in Gansu classified the climb as an accident, but not as illegal. Another participant in the group who published video recordings without permission was also felt with consequences, since such actions were seen as a "negative effects", so Tagesschau.de . .

Surprisingly, the original report of the Air Sports Association was removed from its online reporting by Chinese state television, whereby no evidence of sanctions could be found in the revised version. The affected paraglider expressed that he no longer wanted to fly and is afraid to practice this extreme sport again.

The fascination and the risks of paragliding

paragliding is enjoying growing popularity worldwide, also in Germany. According to the German paraglider and dragon flight association (DHV), the number of members is now around 36,000 compared to almost 20,000 in 1997. Nevertheless, sport has been risks: In 2018 there were over 200 accidents, including more than 100 with serious injuries, such as Dela.de report.

The fascination of paragliding ran through various flying categories, from pleasure flyers who only fly in ideal conditions, to competition pilots that take part in competitions. Regardless of the pilot's level of knowledge, sport requires patience, self -control and physical fitness. Equipment costs vary greatly and can be considerable, which influences access to this adventure and your security.

Although such an incident as that is rare in China, it nevertheless shows the extreme risks associated with paragliding, and stimulates the discussion about security in this fascinating but potentially dangerous sport.