A 55-year-old paraglider, Peng Yujiang, accidentally ascended to 8,500m above the Qilian mountains in north-west China during an equipment test, terrifyingly navigating frigid conditions and low oxygen levels. Authorities have since suspended him due to the unauthorized flight.
Paraglider's Frightening 8,500m Ascent in China: A Close Call with the Clouds
Paraglider's Frightening 8,500m Ascent in China: A Close Call with the Clouds
A Chinese paraglider undergoes a harrowing experience as uncontrollable updrafts launch him into the sky, raising serious safety concerns.
A recent incident in north-west China has drawn attention to the dangers of paragliding as a 55-year-old paraglider found himself perilously elevated to 8,500m (27,800ft) by unexpected updrafts during an equipment test. Peng Yujiang was evaluating his gear at 3,000m above sea level over the Qilian mountains when a "cloud suck" phenomenon propelled him upwards sharply.
The remarkable ascent, caught on camera attached to Peng's glider, soon went viral on Douyin, China's equivalent of TikTok. The footage illustrates Peng grappling with the controls as his face becomes obscured by ice crystals formed in the freezing altitude.
"It was terrifying... Everything was white. I couldn't see any direction. Without the compass, I wouldn't have known which way I was going," Peng recalled to China Media Group, highlighting the surreal disorientation he experienced. At such elevations, oxygen levels are dangerously low, and temperatures can descend to a bone-chilling -40C.
"I wanted to come down quickly, but I just couldn't. I was lifted higher and higher until I was inside the cloud," he added, revealing the grim reality of his situation. After managing to regain some control during his descent, Peng acknowledged the possibility of losing consciousness.
Following the perilous incident, Chinese authorities are investigating the circumstances that led to the unauthorized ascent. According to state-run Global Times, Peng had initially intended only to check the parachute's fit and comfort while on the ground. However, strong winds unexpectedly lifted him off, leading to the alarming scenario that unfolded as he encountered an increasingly powerful updraft.
Due to the unauthorized nature of the flight, Peng has been temporarily suspended from paragliding activities for six months, raising significant safety concerns within the adventurous community.
