31/07/2022
😵🥶
“I had the chance to climb to 8054m in Peru on June 7, 2022!
The strong, cold and humid wind descended from the selva while a dry and hot wind came from the Altiplano. The meeting of these two winds created a big confluence. The vario climbed up to 13m/s around 7500m. I started the climb in a blue sky at 5800m. Then a cloud of humidity is created downwind of the confluence. I surfed the edge of the cloud from 6200m.
Around 7800m I lost control of the paraglider for a few seconds in extreme conditions. This loss of control threw me into the cloud. I iced up instantly, line, instruments, glasses, it was -35°C!
I couldn't put my hands inside my sleeves to manage to control the wing, I stayed in Racer summer gloves. My fingers became like pieces of wood instantly. I was in full hypoxia, I was not acclimatized or prepared to climb so high.
I felt my body let go of me second after second with the lack of oxygen. The wind was blowing at more than 60 km/h. The passage from 7800m to 8000m was not a pleasure, it was against my will! I just tried to escape this area.
It was neither wanted nor sought but I think I made the first paragliding flight at 8000m in America.” Antoine Girard
For Antoine’s flight track visit:
https://www.syride.com/fr/pilotes/antoinegirard/1719053/3d
