Birdman of the Karakoram: a Himalayan paragliding adventure
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What's it really like to fly at 7,000 m, crossing frozen mountains, soaring massive rockwalls and forging new cross country routes on a paraglider in the Himalayas? To find out, adventure filmmaker Alun Hughes joins high altitude paragliding star John Silvester on a tandem paraglider and goes 'col busting' in the Karakoram.
Leaving the comforts of Snowdonia, UK, Alun embarks on a journey into the frozen world of extreme altitude paragliding. Installing themselves in Karimabad in the now fabled Hunza valley of the Karakoram Highway, Alun straps himself to the front of Silvester's tandem paraglider and together they commit themselves deep into previously unflown terrain. The footage they bring back from their adventure is nothing short of astonishing.
This gripping adventure film documents not only an extraordinary pilot and the cutting edge of high altitude Himalayan paragliding, it also introduces a growing subculture of paragliding that has never been explored before.
The Birdman of the Karakoram won the prize for human adventure at the 2009 Coupe Icare film festival in St Hilaire, France.
This film is part of The Alun Hughes Collection. BMC TV is hosting the films of the The Alun Hughes Collection here on our KZread channel. All films remain copyright Alun Hughes.
View the full playlist: • The Alun Hughes Collec...
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Пікірлер: 129
I can remember the first time I met John; even at that time he was a well respected pilot/legend. I had just moved to North Wales, had my first flight there, and landed close by. He recognized I wasn't a local, came right over to say hello, and invited me to join him in the local cafe for a post-flight cup of tea so that I could meet everyone....a really unassuming and generous spirit who will be sadly missed.
When I came across this documentary at the Llanberis film festival about 15 years ago, it just pushed me more to follow the dream of flying. At the age of 52 I eventually bought a whole kit for £300 online, and after watching a load of youtube vids and doing a few bunny hops, I launched off the side of a mountain not far from where I live. "I'M FLYINGGGGGGG" I shouted down to my lovely wife who had walked halfway up. I did a dodgy landing close to where she was waiting but it was amazing. Since then, I have been flying so much, mostly from the hills and mountains nearby. We met John one day when I was going to fly at the quarry near to where he lived. It was a lovely meeting. A lovely free spirited man. He will be flying higher than ever now 💜🙏💜
@realbounty5221
2 жыл бұрын
I dream similar to you! Did you just buy the paraglider and tried it alone without flight school? greetings from germany!
@heyitsalanhere
2 жыл бұрын
@@realbounty5221 Hi mate 👋 I didn't go to a paragliding school. If you have the money to spare, I recommend going to learn with experienced teachers. I've had my fair share of accident's but hey...I'm still here and still flying 👍 Wishing you well and free there 🙏
@realbounty5221
2 жыл бұрын
@@heyitsalanhere Oh, thank you for your answer! Yes I would go to a flight school before I paraglide, the years unfortunately bring not only knowledge but also awareness of the risks. I wish you all the best and always good upwind under the chute!
@heyitsalanhere
2 жыл бұрын
@@realbounty5221 Wise man 😉 Enjoy being with the bird's 👍
I think I might've seen this documentary about 20 times, just showing it to friends. This is the most epic video on the internet.
It doesn't happen often that I watch a film 3 times within 24 hours, this film a hammer, at 43:57 it blows me away, my lower jaw dropped, I got goose bumps and tears in my eyes! The guy is a real inspiration! R.i.P. John Silvester!
@antoniotula262
10 ай бұрын
I was really tempted to skip ahead when I read your comment, but I didn't. I kept checking, though, and when I did see it, I was also "blown away!" Phenomenal, I just can't imagine living that unforgettable experience. I'm going to watch it again. I have to!
@realbounty5221
10 ай бұрын
@@antoniotula262;-)
RIP John! You are my hero!!! See you one day in the neverendig paragliding heaven.
Dieser Film hat mich in meiner frühen Jugend zum Träumen gebracht und er ispiriert mich noch immer. Danke Auch für Hochladen❤👏👏👏
I feel like 1 minute, is that a really 1 hour documentary 🙄. RIP legend, A lots of love from Pakistan and especially from Hunza. I think these giant mountains will miss him😥😥
One of the best paragliding video I`ve ever seen. Very nicely edited and put together. I could see Johns passion for the flight and the amazing skills.. Sadly I was reading in the comments that he died home in Wells of an heart attack in 2021. RIP sky legend !!!
One knows when one meets an exceptional human being. It's a gut thing. Fly High Mr Silvester. RIP.
Truly awesome - a privilege to have known John, RIP mate.
Legend forever! RIP
Just over half way through. Honest, brutally honest! Humble, you guys could teach humility and introspection!!! Videography? Amazing! I have flown for decades and not heard about John and his adventures. I don't search YT too much for para-porn, it's far too frequently produced by egos rather than people or pilots. This film was like breathing fresh air! Amazing work you guys!
R.I.P John. A bold, pioneer paragliding pilot with immense skills and sense for adventure. This is one great paragliding documentary full of excitement and genuinely tense drama. Well done to the filmmaker. Big balls willing to go up with John having no paragliding experience. Bravo to all.
people will click on click baits and watch useless things but something like this is always hidden! bravo!
Such an epic story & a courageous man...RIP John
Rest in peace John, fly high!
RIP John, Fly high and far!
RIP John, you will remain a legend. What I don't understand is how these expert paragliders go up high by starting at lower level. The study of wind tides and how to use it to climb higher, just stupendously amazing.
This is amazing... I wanted to watch this movie since 2009, a couple of years after having done my paragliding course, and now finally I made it. So good! Such a great loss for the paragliding world though! RIP John
@rovpilot1
8 ай бұрын
Blown away.....epic❤
Rip. You’ll be remembered and missed by the local community.
Thank you Alun for sharing this on KZread. A wonderful hour spent in John's world.
Flight of a life time! SPEACHLESS!!!
RIP John....
Such a great film and what an adventure. This is one I keep coming back to and it’s always inspiring.
Chills every single time
John Silvester is one and one of the best drivers ever! My experience has been to explore some of the most impressive skies while also being inspired by John, most of the time. But this video give me the right vibes always ... greetings to John Dave
What an amazing film. Living life to the extreme. Sadly gone, but a life well lived, and some! He was also a lovely bloke.
the place they went behind the mountain of hunza has 14 7000m mountains....its unbelievable place.
All the more poignant now. RIP.
I am a professional paragliding instructor, this is the best paragliding movie ever made. It was made in 99 and still don't have competition.
@kevin_howell
3 жыл бұрын
Didn't the Ozone Magnum tandem come out in 2006? how can this video be from 99?
@KymFielke
3 жыл бұрын
It's not from 99. You meant his classic film From Nowhere To The Middle Of Nowhere
@jackcarver8234
2 жыл бұрын
Antoine girard is now one of the legend too
Im pleased to have heard of this adventurer.
Adventure at its purest. Irresponsibilty plunging into the unknown compensated by luck and skill. Not even the pilot being able to discern which is which but realizing that backing out at certain points is suicide, then relaxing and performing. Pure love of life in the purest of expression. Respect. You are truely human. I mean Jesus you know whating Christ this kind of adventure tandem is...... against the odds.
The legend say Eagles was not able to fly before he teach them
I Salute You John Silvester. WhatA Pilot. WoW!!!
Wow what a film !
Great film, thanks for making it available!!
AMAZING pilot !!
What an extraordinary pilot, we have lost a legend.
This is just amazing, what a legend!! RIP John!
An inspiration like no other. Fly high John Sylvester 🤩
Blown away
A true pioneer!
What a wonderful film - full of tension. The rising panic as things seemed to be spiralling out of control; the growing sense of unease. At times I felt every bit as uncomfortable as the filmmaker himself - wondering if he'd entrusted his life to a maniac or a maestro. A taste of real adventure - great stuff.
amazing. great pilot and congrats to all.
Wow. What an amazing video. God bless you both
superior documentary, style and narrative! thannks for sharing!
Rest in peace my friend. Great man, great flyer and great hitch-hiker.
Amazing film.. a dream...
What a fantastic film. RiP John.
Spectacular suspense risking life for the thrill. Nail Biting
I had no intention of watching this whole video, but i couldnt stop. Fascinating as few things I've ever seen. Amazingly courageous fellas!! Thanks for your work.
RIP and Thanks, John
Flipping amazing
The cameraman must have some balls to go up there when he's not used to it :D
@alistairclark6814
3 жыл бұрын
He is clearly overwhelmed at times. But keeps going, respect.
I have seen him fly in my childhood. We believe that every one that flies is John. Rest in peace legend
Wow. Amazing piloting skills.
Śpij w pokoju John 🏴🔥 RiP
It was 12 years ago, wow amazing...
Ultimate Warrior.
Rip legend
Fly high John! The Birdman of the Karakoram.
Legendary
Unfortunately John Silvester passed away yesterday. He inspired so many including me. Great loss to the sport and humanity too. RIP legend.
@sandysteve97
3 жыл бұрын
I can’t believe this very sad news was it flying related such a very cool man to sit down and have a few beers with
@glideasia2313
3 жыл бұрын
@@sandysteve97 I dont have any details but I suspect it was not flying related.
@glideasia2313
3 жыл бұрын
Just read it was a heart attack...so sad.
@sandysteve97
3 жыл бұрын
@@glideasia2313 sad news
@heyitsalanhere
2 жыл бұрын
No...not flying related 💔
I am sure you have read Lost Horizons and what a way to express the feelings of an erudite traveller!
RIP my friend, fly away ❤️
Amazing, absolutely amazing!
What a true inspirati0nal story of this man .. RESPECT❤🇵🇰
Wow😍
It's these guys who should get a nobel peace prize.
Like A dream 😯
Amazing. Such a pity they didn't have digital electronics back then. This would be amazing more if it was in 4K ...... RIP John
What a Pilot he is...
anybody know the music that starts at 44:10 ?
@realbounty5221
2 жыл бұрын
Actually, only that I got a goose bumps at the place and my lower jaw fell down! Let me know if you have learned something! greets!
Jone loved you
Very good mates with his son Dru, John was an absolutely great guy, had some great times over at their house 👌 going to be really missed
Came to know about John (RIP) through a columnist. Searched him on KZread and wondered about his passion and work. Sad a legend loved flying where birds even don't dare - flew high (23-05-2021) to heaven. We shall miss him. RIP
@realbounty5221
2 жыл бұрын
please, can you tell me why he died? I searched for more flight-videos of him but i found almost nothing! So sad i heard of him yesterday for the first time and i liked him very quickly! ;-(
@ALIRAZA-xq8dm
2 жыл бұрын
@@realbounty5221 John Silvester died of a heart attack at home in Wales on 23 May 2021, he was 60.
@realbounty5221
2 жыл бұрын
@@ALIRAZA-xq8dm thanks for your answer! too bad, at least he did not crash!
@ALIRAZA-xq8dm
2 жыл бұрын
@@realbounty5221 Yes he didn't. And I used the word flew high for my emotional respect to him. I was heartily sad for loss of such great human being.
I will take Zoe and Megan here. Eagles' nest. Lady Finger. I hope to see Mansur and his crazy hotel. RIP JS
“Birdman Of the Karakorum” is a classic paragliding film, a class on its own. Alun has a website with a DVD shop and I still remember when the package of DVDs arrived. So Team BMC let us know how Alun is doing. As many others I was really impressed about Aluns storytelling. And I am still in 2021. Is there any chance to see a new production from Alun, or did he finished the business of filmproducing? Cheers Frank
Still the same enthusiasm i remember from snells field. Keep feeding the rat
Awesome, should have uploaded in HD...44:35...that is breath taking
Müthiş ❤
OMG!!!
Que linda locura
Rest in peace sir
A tribute to John, who died yesterday.
@mikeoglen6848
3 жыл бұрын
What's happened to John?
@apelfed
3 жыл бұрын
@@mikeoglen6848 I think he died peacefully at home in North Wales following a heart attack. RIP
RIP john.
RIP John
Assuming I went crazy and thereafter agreed to be the cameraman on the flight, I'd not be very good at it because I'd have my eyes closed the entire time.
Great Adventure. ash hadu allah ilaha illallah = I bear witness that there is no deity (none truly to be worshipped) but, ALLAH . 44:35
@laurahuijsdens3649
3 жыл бұрын
Very nice music. Can you tell me what the name of the song is?
Amazing!
Trusting Wind Currents to get from one place to another and having to push off a mountain Top to get Airborn is Cool but I had rather have a Motor on my Back...
R.I.P.
What brand sunglasses is john wearing? :)
30:42 Aww! He should have toplanded! on the other hand, the consequences are death like all the flying in the Himalayas. Could he maintain a kite at the altitude? If no relaunch, then game over. I'm sure he wished he had though.
Riep john
RIP
"We can get close if you want to " -- NOOOOO
🤑 Too much whining Alun!!! John is a fantastic pilot.
rip😂😂😂
I can see this is an old movie ... but why the f*ck does Alun keep breathing trough his mouth instead of using his nose? Of course his mouth is gonna be dry if he doesn't close it. I guess some people just suck at life xD And he is constantly nagging and worrying ... extremely negative by the end of the film. Made it far less enjoyable for me. Loved the pilots reactions tho. Cool and calm always knowing what he is doing ... even if to mister negative everything looked catastrophic.
@keithscholey651
3 жыл бұрын
To be fair he did make an amazing film despite being well outside his (and most peoples) comfort zone.