Paraglider's Miraculous Escape from 8,589-Meter Vortex

Paraglider Survives Miraculous Ascent: 8,589 Meters in a Chinese Mountain Vortex A Chinese paraglider experienced a terrifying yet miraculous ordeal over the weekend. Lao Liu, an experienced paraglider, was unexpectedly lifted to an altitude of 8,589 meters—an altitude more typical of commercial airliners—while flying near the Qilian Mountains in northwest China. The phenomenon, known as 'cloud suction' in paragliding circles, trapped him in frigid conditions of -40 degrees Celsius. Despite the extreme cold and lack of oxygen, Lao Liu remained conscious and communicated his situation via radio, a testament to his composure and preparedness. "I felt a lack of oxygen," Lao Liu recounted, "but I managed to keep communicating over the radio the entire time." The video footage shows the paraglider engulfed in the vortex and later, his face covered in frost. His rescue serves as a powerful reminder of the unpredictable forces of nature and the importance of safety precautions in extreme sports. The incident has sparked renewed discussion about the risks and challenges faced by paragliders, particularly in mountainous regions with unpredictable weather patterns.