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Two climbers paraglide from the summit of Everest
There is a well known adage amongst mountaineers that says "getting to the summit is only halfway to the finish," as obviously they have to safely come back down the mountain after they've completed their ascent. There are few places where this is more apparent than Mt. Everest, where climbers not only have to make a long, grueling trek to the top, they also have to negotiate a tricky descent as well. Over the weekend, two climbers found a way to avoid that descent however, by paragliding off the summit, bypassing all the challenges of a traditional return to Base Camp.On Saturday, 29-year old Babu Sunuwar and his partner Lakpa Tshering Sherpa, 35, climbed to the summit of Everest. Once there, they assembled their tandem paraglider, and starting it up, both men stepped out into the nothingness that surrounds the highest point on the planet. Rather than plummeting a thousand feet to their deaths however, they took off on what must have been a spectacular flight through one of the most scenic places in the world.
Sailing through the air, Babu and Lakpa passed snow capped mountains on their 42-minute flight, which eventually deposited them at Namche Bazaar, a village in the Khumbu Valley region. Reaching that point would normally take climbers returning from the summit a minimum of three days, but these two avoided a long hike and were soon resting in a comfortable teahouse I'm sure.
Their adventure is far from over however. Having reached the highest point on Earth, they are now headed toward sea level by kayak and bike. Their eco-friendly journey will eventually end in Bangladesh in a few weeks time.
At the moment, there have been no photos released from this epic flight through the Himalaya. I'm hoping that at some point we might see some video footage though, as I'm sure the view was amazing. I'm also guessing that there were more than few other climbers who were jealous of their method of descent after seeing them take off from the summit as well.
[Photo Credit: Babu Sunuwar]
Filed under: Climbing, Festivals and Events, Asia, Nepal, Transportation, News
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 2)
Juli May 26th 2011 12:47AM
I'll put it on my bucket list. Remember, we're all only a blink away from eternity .
JJP May 25th 2011 3:24AM
Ever since reading "Into Thin Air," I have been obsessed with the idea of Everest and what lures climbers to it. These two fellows have had the adventure of a lifetime. Let's just hope it doesn't inspired unprepared daredevils to do the same. Everest has conquered many an adventurer who never made it down the mountain. Give Jon Krakauer's "Into Thin Air" a read. It's a first-person, mind-blowing account of one of Everest's deadliest seasons.
navymikeusn May 25th 2011 12:53PM
got love them, great job it something that i can only dream of.maybe one day by the grace if God i will be able to do something like that.
JoAnne Jocis May 25th 2011 11:20AM
SWEET!! JJP, I know what you mean!! I have read almost all books about Everest and the brave people who have climbed (or attempted) her. It is the most amazing thing to me. I would never do it myself, but reading about the adventures makes me feel like I am there. My dream is to just go to Base Camp!!