Everesting comes in all shapes and sizes. Some torture themselves with touring skis, some with road bikes, others on foot. The idea always remains the same: you cover 8,848 meters of elevation gain in one day – the height of Mount Everest, the highest peak on Earth.
Valentin Possert, who recently caught the paragliding bug, wants to combine his new passion with Everesting. He quickly finds two fellow aviators, AUSTRIALPIN athletes Martin Sieberer and Andreas “Gumpy” Gumpenberger, who are also not averse to the “suffering.” The project requires stable weather conditions, all three to be in the same place at the same time – and the right mountain for paragliding. In mid-July, the time has come. At 3:30 a.m., the pilots begin their first ascent, taking off at daybreak for their first flight. The temperature and weather are perfect. The team is well-coordinated.
Around 30 helpers support the project, bringing meals, accompanying and motivating the team.
The midday heat is taking its toll on the athletes. After climbing around 6,000 meters, there is no turning back. With aching muscles and endorphins in their blood, they stand at the launch site one last time after climbing 9,000 meters – and fly towards the last rays of sunlight. What a day. Congratulations!
Photos: Luca Jaenichen & Clara Possert
