Paraglider Climbs Two Everests in 24 Hours, Sets Record

Most people celebrate hiking up a mountain once. Aaron Durogati did it 18 times in 24 hours, flying down with a paraglider after each climb.

The Italian paragliding champion just set a new world record by climbing 19,424 meters total on Norway's Slogen Mountain. That's more than twice the height of Mount Everest, all accomplished by repeatedly hiking up and flying down the same peak.

Durogati completed his final ascent after 23 hours and 42 minutes, beating the previous record of 17,534 meters set by French athlete Tanguy Renaud-Goud in 2024. Each of his 18 climbs averaged over 1,000 vertical meters while carrying a paraglider and gear on his back.

The sport is called Hike and Fly, and it combines mountain running, paragliding, navigation, and weather reading into one brutal test. Athletes hike up carrying their equipment, launch into the air when conditions allow, fly down, land, pack everything up, and start climbing again.

"After 4,000 to 5,000 vertical meters I got really tired, especially thinking about the 20 hours I had left," Durogati said. "But I tried to stay really focused on every lap, every step."

The two-time world champion and Red Bull X-Alps winner chose Slogen Mountain specifically for its steep 1,564-meter rise and reliable flying conditions. But nothing about the attempt was easy, with rain showers at night and constant weather changes testing his skills on every descent.

Why This Inspires

What makes this achievement remarkable isn't just the physical strength required. It's the mental discipline to keep making safe decisions lap after lap when exhaustion sets in.

Durogati's heart rate data shows he maintained an average of 118 beats per minute, staying in a controlled endurance zone for nearly 24 hours. He burned around 10,000 calories, the equivalent of several days' worth of food for most people.

He reached speeds of 86 kilometers per hour during his paraglider descents, covering 103 kilometers total between hiking and flying. Each landing meant immediately preparing for another grueling climb.

"I worked really hard on my strength, my physical preparation," he explained. "I built a few special paragliders for this project, special backpacks and harnesses."

The record shows what's possible when preparation meets determination. Durogati didn't just test his limits, he redefined what those limits could be.