Chinese paraglider pilot survives cloud flight without oxygen

Chinese paraglider pilot survives cloud flight without oxygen

Chinese paraglider Peng Yujiang is lucky to be safely back on the ground after a powerful updraft that lifted him to the heights of the Qilian Mountains in Gansu Province. On Saturday, it reached an impressive altitude of 8,598 meters, which is approximately 28,208 feet, without oxygen. Amateur footage shared by Chinese state media shows Peng with his face and clothing covered in ice as he floated through the clouds.

The dramatic rise

"I had just bought a used paragliding harness and wanted to test it, so I performed ground gliding. After a while, the wind suddenly increased and lifted me into the air. I tried to land as quickly as possible, but I failed," Peng told China Central Television (CCTV) on Tuesday.

An unexpected adventure in the clouds

"I found myself surrounded by cumulonimbus clouds, trapped in them. It was scary — everything around me was white. Without the compass, I wouldn't have known which direction I was flying. I thought I was flying straight, but in reality I was shaving in circles. Finally, I managed to fly northeast," he added.

Surprise and control

Peng was surprised to learn he had reached such a high altitude and believes he may have briefly lost consciousness, state media reported. Peng has more than four years of experience in paragliding and is a certified B-level pilot, which requires at least 20 days of flying experience, according to CCTV.

Fighting the cold

Although his hands were nearly frozen and numb, he was able to control his glider using his compass and radio communications with his teammates, state media reported.

An overwhelming feeling of relief

"When I came out of the clouds, I was very excited because I had survived. The scariest moment was when I tried to get out of the spiral flight and couldn't while the glider was hurtling towards the ground. It's still frightening to think about," Peng told CCTV.

The future of paragliding

“I’m unsure about the future, but for now I definitely won’t be flying for a while,” he added.