Latest news with #paragliding
Daily Mail
14 hours ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Dramatic rescue operation underway for stranded paraglider after he slammed into a cliff face at picturesque location
A paraglider, who crashed at a popular tourist spot in NSW and got stuck on a cliff, has been saved after a high-risk rescue operation. Emergency services were called to Otford Road at Stanwell Tops, 57km south-west of Sydney, at about 1pm on Saturday after reports a man collided with a cliff while paragliding. The crash happened soon after take-off and he fell about 10m down the rock face, a NSW Ambulance spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia. The man in his 50s landed on a ledge where he waited to be rescued. A multi-agency operation was launched by the ambulance service, Police Rescue and SES to carry out the challenging vertical rescue. The paraglider was brought off the cliff face a few hours later and treated at the scene after injuring his shoulder. The spokesperson said the man was in a stable condition and was taken to St George Hospital, south of Sydney. NSW Police have urged the public to avoid the area on Saturday evening. Emergency services carried out a high-risk operation over multiple hours to remove him from a ledge safely (stock image) Stanwell Tops is known for its beautiful coastal and cliff views. The area is a popular location for visitors to paraglide and hand glide.
CBS News
a day ago
- General
- CBS News
Paraglider survives being accidentally pulled 28,000 feet into air without oxygen
A paraglider in China has survived an unexpected climb to 28,208 feet in the air without oxygen after being caught in a powerful updraft, according to an account told to Chinese Central Television (CCTV). Peng Yujiang, an experienced paraglider, said he had been conducting a routine test of equipment just under 10,000 feet above the sea in northwest China's Gansu Province. "After a while, the wind suddenly picked up and lifted me into the air. I tried to land as soon as possible, but I failed," Peng told CCTV The 55-year-old man had found himself trapped inside a cumulonimbus cloud system, in a phenomenon described as "cloud suck", where strong updraft currents carry paragliders to dramatically high altitudes. Peng Yujiang was covered in ice during the incident which saw him lifted more than 28,000 feet into the air without oxygen CCTV "It was terrifying -- everything around me was white. I thought I was flying straight, but in reality, I was spinning," Peng told CCTV. He climbed to an altitude of 28,208 feet, which is nearly as high as Mount Everest, the highest mountain above sea level in the world. Footage from the flight's 360-degree camera shows the paraglider flying through thick clouds as ice forms around his exposed face and equipment. Although Peng appears calm in the video, he admitted in an interview with CCTV that the episode was deeply frightening. "It's still frightening to think about. I'm not sure about the future, but for now I definitely won't fly for a while," he said. He was handed a six-month flight suspension, as the flight site and airspace had not been approved in advance.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
Why this Austrian mountain town is the perfect summer escape
Set amid the Tyrolean Alps between Salzburg and Innsbruck, Kitzbühel is mostly known as an exclusive winter resort, with 85 years of World Cup skiing. Yet this isn't a town to rest on its snow-covered laurels. Instead of shutting up shop at the sight of a blooming crocus, Kitzbühel shakes off the frost to begin a flowering of its own — as a warm-weather hotspot. With its astounding mountain hikes, pristine golf courses, and top tennis tournaments, here's how to enjoy its warm-weather pursuits. Kitzbühel features more than 600 miles of extraordinary mountain hiking trails, from leisurely hour-long strolls around the still waters of Schwarzsee to tougher treks across the craggy peaks of Gebra to the south. Those seeking a mountain climb with an edge can use via ferratas (metal cables with rungs and ladders secured to the rock) to explore Kitzbühel's higher elevations. This includes the Kitzbüheler Horn, which offers panoramic views of the Kaiser, Lofer and Leogang mountains. Avid climbers flock to the region for its challenging routes, taking anywhere from one to six hours to ascend, as well as to traverse sheer rock faces and cross churning gorges whilst canyoning. Alternatively, visitors can switch to two wheels to tackle the bike trails — the longest being the Hahnenkamm Flow Trail stretching over four miles — or, soar high above the town thanks to year-round tandem paragliding, run by outfitters including Element3. In a country with more than 25,000 bodies of water, it's no surprise Kitzbühel offers open-water swimming aplenty. Those seeking a crystalline pool to cool down in should head to Schwarzsee. It's the king of Kitzbühel's bathing lakes, where travellers can soak in deep mineral waters against a backdrop of forest-fringed Alpine beauty — and it's only a half-hour walk from town. Another popular swimming spot is Gieringer Weiher, located in the scenic Bichlach hiking and biking area. Meanwhile, the Jochberg swimming pool is a favourite with families, thanks to its waterslide and separate baby wading pool. It's tee time all the time in Kitzbühel, with no fewer than four championship golf courses within a five-minute drive of town. Its two main golfing hotspots are Kitzbühel-Schwarzsee-Reith, an 18-hole course with curved terrain and majestic mountain panoramas, and Eichenheim Kitzbühel-Aurach, a scenic par-71 course featuring sheer rock faces and thick deciduous forests. The latter also has one of the area's most luxurious spa hotels, Grand Tirolia Hotel Kitzbühel. The town also has two nine-hole courses close to the city centre. This includes the par-70 Golfclub Kitzbühel, located on grounds of Kaps Castle, and the Red Bull Golf course at the Rasmushof Hotel, situated at the foot of the Hahnenkamm mountain. Venture further into Tyrol and you'll find several more exceptional golf courses. While they vary in length and difficulty, you're guaranteed lush fairways set amid epic Alpine landscapes. While Kitzbühel's sprawling nature is a big draw, don't forgo exploring the town itself. Stroll its cobbled medieval streets to admire the architecture, including the ornate Hotel Goldener Greif, previously an old Tyrolean inn; the striking stained glass found in the 14th-century St Catherine's church; and the rococo chapel of Pfarrkirche St Andreas. Immerse yourself in local folklore at the Museum Kitzbühel, which takes visitors from the region's Bronze Age mining history to its iconic skiing offerings. Those in need of retail therapy should stop by the Kitz Galleria, a series of boutiques stocking luxury clothing, or tuck into kaiserschmarrn, sugary shredded pancakes found in cosy streetside cafes like Schatzi. To get a taste of Kitzbühel's fine dining scene, head to Tennerhof, an award-winning restaurant set within a Relais & Châteaux Alpine property of the same name. Or try one of Kitzbühel's two Michelin-starred restaurants: Les Deux serves modern French dishes, while Berggericht offers four or six-course set menus drawing on Tyrolean influences. Mocking das Wirtshaus, located at the foot of the challenging Streif downhill ski slope, has also received a Michelin Bib Gourmand award for its stellar Austrian cuisine. Throughout the summer in Kitzbühel, there are plenty of seasonal events for travellers to experience. In terms of sports, the town is home to the Generali Open Kitzbühel tennis tournament, which takes place every July at the Kitzbühel tennis stadium at Kapserfeld, the largest of its kind in Austria. Meanwhile, at the tail end of the season in September, the region hosts the Kitzbüheler Cycling Marathon and Kitzbühel Triathlon. The summer months also bring together the dynamic sounds of Kitzbühel, with festivals including June's pop-heavy Schlagerbooom, July's opera-inclined Kitzbühel Klassik and August's rock-laden Kitzbühel Music Festival. Plus, on Thursdays evenings in July and August, the town comes together for food, drinks and live music at Pura Vida. In August, visitors can also hear traditional music at live performances across the town during the 'Jahrmarkt' festival, which marks its 99th annual celebration in 2025. Motorsports enthusiasts should consider visiting in June, when the town welcomes the thrilling vintage car rally, Kitzbüheler Alpenrallye, while the final weekend of August is reserved for the KITZ Kulinarik food festival — a delicious send off to Kitzbuhel's stacked festival season. This paid content article was created for Kitzbühel Tourismus. It does not necessarily reflect the views of National Geographic, National Geographic Traveller (UK) or their editorial subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here. (Available in select countries only).
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Chinese paraglider accidentally swept more than 28,000 ft above ground
A 55-year-old Chinese man was accidentally swept more than 28,000 feet over Northwest China while testing a paraglider harness. A powerful updraft of wind lifted him far above the tallest buildings in the world. NBC News' Steve Patterson has more on the dramatic accident.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Climate
- Daily Mail
Paraglider accidentally pulled 28,000ft into the air in -40C conditions receives stern punishment from Chinese communist authorities after he went viral
A paraglider who was accidentally dragged 28,000ft into the air in -40C conditions has received a stern punishment from Chinese communist authorities after he went viral. Peng Yujian has been banned from paragliding for six months after the ordeal which saw him soaring in line with flight paths at nearly the height of Mount Everest. The Chinese paraglider began from an elevation of around 9,800ft in the Qilian mountain range in northern China on Saturday. He had intended to test a new second-hand equipment purchase without making a proper flight, according to an investigative report by the Gansu Provincial Aviation Sports Association. But just 20 minutes into his practice, he became trapped in a strong updraft which blasted him over 16,000ft higher into the icy air. Frightening footage from Peng's mounted camera revealed the severity of the conditions the paraglider had to endure. Visibility was poor as he was rapidly sucked to high altitudes over the snow-topped mountains while he struggled to cling on to his parachute. He was seen soaring above the clouds and covered in icicles as the temperature plummeted to a reported -35C as he tried to regain control over his equipment. The paraglider, who miraculously survived the chilling ordeal, managed to catch a clip moment of the incident on camera which has now made its rounds on social media The paraglider was not wearing an oxygen mask which left him fully exposed to the dangerous elements. However, Peng miraculously remained conscious throughout the ordeal and managed to successfully land his parachute safely. Following the incident, he recalled experiencing hypoxia and having his hands exposed to the freezing cold temperatures above the clouds, according to local reports. 'I just kept communicating over the radio the entire time,' he said The paraglider was left with extensive frostbite following the ordeal. Authorities praised Peng's survival, conceding it was an accident. A 'normal person cannot be exposed at 8,000metres without oxygen [so] this is not something that can be done voluntarily' said a sports bureau official, according to Sixth Tone. But Peng, who has around five years' experience paragliding, had never intended to leave ground level meaning he had not registered any flight plans. Under regulations, this meant his ordeal was 'not subject to relevant approvals', the report said. In response he was banned from flying for six months. The bureau report, based on an interview with Peng, said he was in the air for more than an hour, and had stayed in radio contact with his friend, Gu Zhimin, who was still on the ground. The report said he had attempted to return to land but his efforts were 'ineffective', and as he flew higher he became confused and briefly lost consciousness. Peng was eventually able to land about 30km from the launch site, where he was met by Gu and another friend. Gu later posted a video of Peng's flight and comments on the ground to Douyin, China's domestic version of TikTok, where it soon went viral. 'Gu Zhimin posted a flight video without permission, which had a bad impact,' the report said. 'He was grounded for six months and asked to write a report to deeply reflect on the negative impact of his behaviour.' The bureau said any record broken by Peng's flight would not be officially counted because his flight was not registered. Chinese national aviation sports regulations state that aerial activities need prior airspace approval from air traffic control. Paragliding activities have to be carried out according to a pre-arranged plan, and trips are prohibited under adverse weather conditions. Changing flight plans without authorisation is also not allowed.
