Paraglider survives 8,600m ice-covered flight, no oxygen

What began as a simple equipment test turned into a near-death experience for Chinese paraglider Peng Yujiang, who was unexpectedly swept into a thundercloud and lifted to an altitude of 8,598 meters — nearly as high as Mount Everest.

The incident occurred on May 24 in the Qilian Mountains of northwestern China. Peng, an experienced paraglider with five years of flying under his belt, had set out to test second-hand gear he had recently acquired. According to a report from the Gansu Provincial Aviation Sports Association, he had not filed any flight plan, as he did not intend to take off that day.

Roughly 20 minutes into a brief lift-off, Peng encountered a powerful thermal updraft that pulled him into a massive cumulonimbus cloud. Tracking data revealed that he soared skyward at a rate of 35 km/h, reaching a staggering 8,598 meters — an altitude comparable to that of commercial jets and just 250 meters below the summit of Everest.

Video from Peng's helmet-mounted camera captured the extreme conditions he endured. Surrounded by dense clouds and buffeted by freezing winds, he became coated in ice, with temperatures plummeting to -35°C. "My hands were frozen. I kept trying to talk on the radio," he later recounted in a post-flight video.

For over an hour, Peng remained airborne, struggling to regain control of his descent. The high altitude and extreme cold caused him to lose consciousness and become disoriented briefly. Eventually, he managed to land safely approximately 30 kilometres from his launch site, where he was reunited with his friend and fellow paraglider, Gu Zhimin.

While many online hailed Peng's survival as miraculous, Chinese authorities condemned the incident as reckless and dangerous. A sports bureau official noted that surviving at such altitudes without supplemental oxygen is extremely rare and potentially fatal. "This is not something that can be done voluntarily," the official warned.

Adding to the controversy, a video of the flight shared by Gu on Douyin (China's version of TikTok) quickly went viral, sparking both admiration and alarm. The authorities responded by grounding both Peng and Gu for six months. Gu was also required to submit a written apology for sharing unapproved footage that "had a negative public impact," according to the bureau's statement.

Despite speculation that Peng may have broken a record for unpowered paragliding altitude, officials stated that the flight would not be recognized due to the lack of prior approval and registration.

The dramatic flight has reignited debate within China's outdoor sports community over safety regulations, risk management, and the need for tighter oversight of extreme sports. Peng's close call is being held up as a sobering example of how unpredictable nature can be — and how quickly adventure can turn into survival.

Though recovering from his ordeal, Peng's icy ascent will be remembered not for the record it almost set but for the sheer danger he narrowly escaped.