Polish glider pilots Sebastian Kawa and Sebastian Kot Lampart made aviation history on July 20 by becoming the first to fly a glider over K2, the world’s second-highest peak, standing at 8,611 meters above sea level.
The feat took place in the Karakoram mountain range of northern Pakistan, using a Schleicher ASH 25 glider.
The Polish branch of The Explorers Club announced the historic achievement on Facebook, accompanied by breathtaking photos from the glider’s cockpit.
“Today at 16:50 local time Sebastian Kawa and Sebastian Kot Lampart were the first people to fly over the summit of K2 in a glider. Big applause and a safe return!”
The pilots reached an altitude of nearly 9,000 meters using powerful wind currents and wave lift. Their journey began with a test flight on July 19, during which they reached 4,600 meters.
“We only left at 4 p.m., when the shadow was already eliminating the thermals. Nevertheless, I flew across the Indus and finally got to know several promising places that could be a route to the high mountains,” Kawa said, while sharing his thoughts on social media.
“4,600 meters is not enough to move freely in these mountains. You can fly along the valley, but there are no thermals there and it is best to overcome the 5,000m barrier to get to the beautiful cumulus clouds over most of the peaks. This requires two things. We must agree to fly earlier and we must be lucky with the weather,” he added.
Kawa, who has 24 world championship medals, including 18 gold, had previously flown over the Himalayas, including Mount Everest.
The winds on K2 are typically too strong for climbers and paragliders, but not for Kawa and Lampart. They took off from Skardu and soared over K2 and Masherbrum.
The expedition faced numerous challenges, including obtaining the necessary permits due to strict flight restrictions in Pakistan. Kawa transported the glider in a trailer from Poland to Pakistan, assisted by a friend. The pilots used oxygen and had a small emergency engine, which they did not need. A car helped them get airborne by pulling them with a rope.
Kawa emphasized the importance of their skills and natural forces in achieving this altitude.
“Even helicopters can’t reach their base if the mountain peaks are covered by clouds. Our experience allows us to predict storm cloud developments and anticipate conditions above the summit. Precise glider control is essential, as any error can lead to a collision with the mountain slope,” he noted.
Despite being a trained gynecologist, Kawa’s passion lies in gliding, making him one of the most decorated athletes in the sport. The Polish gliders hope their achievement will promote gliding in Pakistan.