The goal to fly a paraglider above K2 is still achievable – all the team need is a bit of luck. So said Belgian adventurer Tom de Dorlodot on Monday who is in the heart of the Karakoram exploring the Baltoro from the air with fellow flyers Horacio Llorens and Ramón Morillas.
The trio have spent the past three weeks flying new lines by paraglider – collapsible foot-launched wings, relying on pockets of warm air to climb above the region’s famously spectacular mountains.
The team had ten flying days in total, during which they were able to explore a lot of the area. They managed to get to K2 on three occasions, Broad Peak on four occasions, and on some days they were even able to tag both. They also got close to Muztagh Tower, Gasherbrum, and Masherbrum.
Days typically begin with an 800m hike to launch. “It’s extremely hot,” says Tom. “You’re dressed to fly at 8,000m and you’re carrying so much gear.”
From there the team initiates by expanding their wing above their heads and sprinting down a steep slope. Once airborne, it’s very demanding.
“It’s always a big challenge,” adds Tom. “We have to fly 100km almost every day. You have to think, that’s 100km without any landing options. We were walking on the glacier the other day and it’s just a nightmare of big stones and rocks.”
One day Ramon landed at the base camp of Broad Peak. It took him two days to hike back.
