Peng had just bought a second-hand paragliding harness and was trying it out on the ground when he was suddenly blown into the air by strong winds, media reported. “I attempted to land right away, but I couldn’t,” he said. Trapped in high cumulonimbus convection, he lost all reference to the surface. “Everything was white. I would have never known where I was going without my compass. I felt like I was flying straight, but I was actually just spinning.” Peng somehow got out of the cloud system finally when he came to the northeast.

Ordeal at Extreme Altitude and Close Call
"Reports suggest that Peng was shocked with the result, he did not notice how high he was flying and thinks that he might have either fainted or fallen asleep for some time. Although his hands froze painfully numb, he was able to control his paraglider with a compass and remain in radio contact with his team.

Peng, who has been paragliding for more than four years, has obtained a certificate at B-level in paragliding that means he can fly for at least 20 days. It was being well-trained and highly experienced that must have helped him to take control and survive.

Relief — and Reflection — After the Flight
Looking back on the most terrifying moments, Peng recounted the terror that gripped him when his canopy went into a nosedive and he tried to recover from a perilous spiral. “It’s still scary to think about,” he conceded. When he finally burst out of the clouds, he felt nothing but pure relief. “I was thrilled, because I came through.”