SAFA Skysailor Magazine

24 SKY SAILOR January | February 2020 Top: View from 6500m with the start of the Batura glacier on my left Lower: Shadows starting to reclaim my surroundings – time to go Top: Approaching Kampire Dior, with the col I tried to jump on the right Lower: Soaring the remaining sunny peaks slowly absorbed into the deepening shadows of the surrounding peaks. I then fled north in the tailwind, avoiding the advancing shadows and gliding between the retreating sunny spurs. I jumped across the Yashkuk glacier, arriving for the first time in 4.5 hours below 5000m. I found a nice climb off a large scree slope and followed the still sunlit mountains further north. After seven hours of flying, and the mountains enveloped by shadows, the possibility of landing back in civilisation was gone and instead I focussed on a suitable site to bivouac and relaunch in the morning. A high alpine meadow in the distant north beckoned, so I glided, and surprisingly still climbed, in the silky smooth air of the darkening mountains. The golden sunset decorated the sky glowing behind the 7000m peaks as I relaxed into my pod at 5700m, turned west and enjoying the most spectacular sunset of my life. I turned back north and glided through the stunning blue and purple twilight sky above and the sparkling lights of the Chapursan Valley villages 2000m below. After seven hours and 50 minutes, I landed at 4600m in a beautiful camping spot on a high alpine meadow. The silhouetted craggy Karakoram faded into the night as I set up my tent and enjoyed a bivvy dinner in the silent tranquillity. The morning sunlight slowly bathed the high surrounded peaks in golden light as I embraced the views and cherishing the amazing moment. Deciding I would check out some local tourist attrac- tions, I launched at 9am and slowly bobbed along the morning thermals for four hours, before landing on the stunning shores of Attabad Lake, greeted by excited friendly locals and cheering children. Ready for my next adventure. 3D view of my flight [ayvri.com/scene/ 1q5ry0w6k3/ck39phrdx0001256kog5xp3ff] . Flight Details: [contest.org/2019/world/en/ flights/detail:ShaneTighe/23.09.2019/05:23 ] Sunset from 5700m Camp spot with the Karakoram in the background Photos: Shane Tighe Charismatic Karakoram