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As we already informed in May, several pilots were trying to reach some mountain tops in Hunza valley in Pakistan and overpassing the world record. Nearly to the end of expedition the weather was bad - either the wind was too strong or overcast. And if there was sun shining in the morning, there was overdevelopment very soon.
At last, the wishes were satisfied...
From the beginning the day did not look like outstanding, but you never know what the day will bring as the best things in life often come unexpected. In the great afternoon conditions expedition leader Leroy Westerkamp (Neatherlands) finally managed to climb up in the Hunza valey to 7.685 meters and he gained unbelievable 4.785 meters above takeoff. He surpassed the Robbie Whittala's record from 1993 which was 4.526 meters.
Leroy described a part of his flight:
"I was flying right in the middle of Hunza Valley, with the valley floor at about 2.000 meters. I was cruising at an altitude of around 7.000 meters, so there was a vertical space between me and the little villages of 5 km. What a view! After I completely soaked in this marvellous view I started my descent to recover from the high altitude and cold. At about 5.500 meters I felt confident again, was a little warmer, had more oxygen and it felt like a safe place to be"
Flying in Hunza valley is not easy. The weather was bad this year, so in several weeks the pilots were able to fly high-quality flights only in a few days. 
The pure finding a lift after takeoff in the height 3.000 meters is not easy and until reaching 3.500 - 4.000 meters one must take weak lifts, otherwise it is very likely you will pack your glider in the village soon. But when you get to certain height, the thermals get strong and often very turbulent. The whole expedition was stopped earlier than planned due to the fact the expedition leader Leroy broke his arm.
The whole article about record flight you can find on the expedition website "Fly K2".
