Paraglider from China Dramatically Returns After Ascending to '8600m' Everest Height

[Financial News]  A story of a Chinese paraglider who dramatically returned after ascending to approximately 8600m above sea level due to an accident has attracted attention.

According to reports from Chinese media outlets including the South China Morning Post (SCMP) in Hong Kong on the 28th (local time), it was on the 24th that Feng Yuzhang, a 55-year-old paragliding enthusiast with 5 years of experience, returned from the brink of death.

On that day, around 11 AM, Mr. Feng was swept away by strong winds while testing new equipment at a training ground in the Qilian Mountains, Gansu Province, northwestern China, at an altitude of 3,000m.

He ascended to the mountain ridge height and began to be sucked into cumulus clouds, remaining airborne for over an hour and ascending to an altitude of 8598m, reaching the height of Mount Everest (8849m) or the cruising altitude of an aircraft.

At that altitude, the temperature was observed to be minus 35 degrees Celsius, and the wind speed was about 25m per second.

The camera mounted on the glider captured Mr. Feng, surrounded by ice, struggling to descend in the thin air.

Particularly, without wearing an oxygen mask, his face was exposed to extreme cold, and his hands were frozen.

He narrowly landed without serious injury in Qifengzhangzu Township, Gansu Province, showing his frostbitten hands and recounting the dizzying situation, saying, "I felt a severe lack of oxygen."

Local media warned that paragliders ascending to high altitudes could face serious situations such as hypoxia, hypothermia, and lightning.

Additionally, aviation expert Wang Yanan pointed out, "If a civilian aircraft passes through the airspace of that area, it could pose a potential risk to civilian aviation safety."

The Gansu Province Aviation Sports Association stated that Mr. Feng flew in an unauthorized location and airspace, imposing a fine and a 6-month flight ban.


gaa1003@fnnews.com An Gaeul Reporter