Paraglider's Harrowing 8,500m Journey Captured on Film

In a remarkable turn of events, a 55-year-old Chinese paraglider, Peng Yujiang, was unexpectedly yanked 8,500 meters into the sky, leading to a terrifying struggle for survival and an investigation into his unauthorized flight.

A Chinese paraglider has experienced an extraordinary ordeal after being unexpectedly lifted to 8,500 meters (27,800 feet) above the Qilian mountains, according to reports from state media. Peng Yujiang, aged 55, was initially testing new equipment at an altitude of 3,000 meters when he encountered a rare phenomenon known as "cloud suck," which propelled him approximately 5,000 meters higher into a thick cloud formation.

Footage of the incident, captured via a camera mounted on Mr. Peng's glider, has gained immense popularity on Douyin, China's equivalent of TikTok. The video visually conveyed the intense conditions Mr. Peng faced: he was gripping the controls with his face and body covered in ice crystals due to the frigid temperatures at such heights.

Describing the experience, Mr. Peng recounted, "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. I thought I was flying straight, but in reality, I was spinning." The perilous climb brought him close to death due to diminished oxygen at high altitude, which is comparable to just below the summit of Mount Everest. As temperatures plummeted to -40°C, Mr. Peng found himself trapped inside a cloud, desperate to descend but unable to do so.

A paragliding enthusiast for four-and-a-half years, Mr. Peng admitted that he might have lost consciousness on his way down. He explained that regaining control of the spiraling glider was one of the scariest facets of the entire incident.

The Chinese authorities are currently investigating the event, noting that Mr. Peng has been suspended for six months for conducting an unauthorized flight. Reports indicate that he had not planned to take to the skies that day; he was merely assessing the fit and comfort of his parachute on the ground. However, unexpected strong winds lifted him unexpectedly, culminating in his breathtaking journey above the clouds.