Birdman of the Karakoram: a Himalayan paragliding adventure

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 KZbin channel. All films remain copyright Alun Hughes.
View the full playlist: • The Alun Hughes Collec...
We're the BMC. Climb walls, rock, hills, ice or mountains? Join us. www.thebmc.co....

[@teddyb4957]

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.

[@primus7776]

One knows when one meets an exceptional human being. It's a gut thing. Fly High Mr Silvester. RIP.

[@heyitsalanhere]

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]

I dream similar to you! Did you just buy the paraglider and tried it alone without flight school? greetings from germany!

[@heyitsalanhere]

@@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]

@@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]

@@realbounty5221 Wise man 😉 Enjoy being with the bird's 👍

[@akarshrastogi3682]

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. edit:21 times

[@realbounty5221]

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]

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]

@@antoniotula262;-)

[@iqraruddin7357]

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😥😥

[@ExtremeFly]

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 !!!

[@timdoppler4977]

Dieser Film hat mich in meiner frühen Jugend zum Träumen gebracht und er ispiriert mich noch immer. Danke Auch für Hochladen❤👏👏👏

[@barkin-brit486]

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!

[@airgaborpara3824]

RIP John! You are my hero!!! See you one day in the neverendig paragliding heaven.

[@falconmediaworks9479]

Flight of a life time! SPEACHLESS!!!

[@stephensimpson800]

Truly awesome - a privilege to have known John, RIP mate.

[@ziadbassil]

Legend forever! RIP

[@RobJohnson]

Such a great film and what an adventure. This is one I keep coming back to and it’s always inspiring.

[@aladeenkhan3661]

people will click on click baits and watch useless things but something like this is always hidden! bravo!

[@christophedubois2894]

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]

Didn't the Ozone Magnum tandem come out in 2006? how can this video be from 99?

[@KymFielke]

It's not from 99. You meant his classic film From Nowhere To The Middle Of Nowhere

[@jackcarver8234]

Antoine girard is now one of the legend too

[@AliBabaFlyHigh]

I Salute You John Silvester. WhatA Pilot. WoW!!!

[@SteveShovlar]

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.

[@ralphvanthoff]

Rest in peace John, fly high!

[@FESGlider]

RIP John, Fly high and far!

[@timnz1970]

Such an epic story & a courageous man...RIP John

[@001barca]

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.

[@cheeta8928]

What a true inspirati0nal story of this man .. RESPECT❤🇵🇰

[@deedend]

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]

Blown away.....epic❤

[@JasonAndrewsUK]

Thank you Alun for sharing this on KZbin. A wonderful hour spent in John's world.

[@theflyinggauntlet]

What a fantastic film. RiP John.

[@kenwilkinson7836]

What an amazing film. Living life to the extreme. Sadly gone, but a life well lived, and some! He was also a lovely bloke.

[@RadoslawKukoslaw]

Śpij w pokoju John 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🔥 RiP

[@Vbluevital]

Spectacular suspense risking life for the thrill. Nail Biting

[@MySquash1]

Im pleased to have heard of this adventurer.

[@DavideCardona]

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

[@pentachronic]

Wow. Amazing piloting skills.

[@antoniotula262]

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.

[@Asif-karakoram]

I have seen him fly in my childhood. We believe that every one that flies is John. Rest in peace legend

[@ALIRAZA-xq8dm]

Came to know about John (RIP) through a columnist. Searched him on KZbin 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]

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]

@@realbounty5221 John Silvester died of a heart attack at home in Wales on 23 May 2021, he was 60.

[@realbounty5221]

@@ALIRAZA-xq8dm thanks for your answer! too bad, at least he did not crash!

[@ALIRAZA-xq8dm]

@@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.

[@alistairclark6814]

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.

[@aliatifbercha]

Fly high John! The Birdman of the Karakoram.

[@frontier_conflict]

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

[@andrewroberts707]

What an extraordinary pilot, we have lost a legend.

[@slashghero]

This is just amazing, what a legend!! RIP John!

[@quoth_raven]

Great film, thanks for making it available!!

[@adventureleopards]

Rip. You’ll be remembered and missed by the local community.

[@erinchillmusic8930]

It's these guys who should get a nobel peace prize.

[@oli80800]

Flipping amazing

[@hunzaparagliders5722]

Jone loved you

[@Jaded-Wanderer]

Blown away

[@DreamFishProductions]

What a Pilot he is...

[@keithscholey651]

Rest in peace my friend. Great man, great flyer and great hitch-hiker.

[@hasansalahuddin4562]

the place they went behind the mountain of hunza has 14 7000m mountains....its unbelievable place.

[@carlsmethurst8566]

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.

[@OlexinaMarina]

RIP John....

[@guppyfisk]

“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

[@paraworth]

An inspiration like no other. Fly high John Sylvester 🤩

[@Crazy--Clown]

Amazing. Such a pity they didn't have digital electronics back then. This would be amazing more if it was in 4K ...... RIP John

[@Yourbosskid]

The cameraman must have some balls to go up there when he's not used to it :D

[@alistairclark6814]

He is clearly overwhelmed at times. But keeps going, respect.

[@zephyrjo6947]

Wow what a film !

[@al9000mm]

superior documentary, style and narrative! thannks for sharing!

[@tchelosherpa5336]

RIP and Thanks, John

[@ThibaultROHMER]

It was 12 years ago, wow amazing...

[@chanditalk]

RIP my friend, fly away ❤️

[@FoundingYouTuber-2005]

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.

[@mikecoupe7095]

A tribute to John, who died yesterday.

[@mikeoglen6848]

What's happened to John?

[@apelfed]

@@mikeoglen6848 I think he died peacefully at home in North Wales following a heart attack. RIP

[@pat13487]

😅

[@glideasia2313]

Unfortunately John Silvester passed away yesterday. He inspired so many including me. Great loss to the sport and humanity too. RIP legend.

[@sandysteve97]

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]

@@sandysteve97 I dont have any details but I suspect it was not flying related.

[@glideasia2313]

Just read it was a heart attack...so sad.

[@sandysteve97]

@@glideasia2313 sad news

[@heyitsalanhere]

No...not flying related 💔

[@jackcarver8234]

The legend say Eagles was not able to fly before he teach them

[@danilodarosa7205]

amazing. great pilot and congrats to all.

[@givemethatfilletfish]

Chills every single time

[@aladeenkhan3661]

I am sure you have read Lost Horizons and what a way to express the feelings of an erudite traveller!

[@RichardChambers]

A true pioneer!

[@krish111982]

Ultimate Warrior.

[@guitar_music_m0re]

Like A dream 😯

[@chris_williams]

All the more poignant now. RIP.

[@struct7766]

Legendary

[@user-bc3ju2ve5h]

Amazing, absolutely amazing!

[@TheShahrokh9]

Amazing film.. a dream...

[@mannatumar1301]

Wow. What an amazing video. God bless you both

[@paultoms6139]

Still the same enthusiasm i remember from snells field. Keep feeding the rat

[@durulersamyurek2534]

Müthiş ❤

[@fitschi3000]

AMAZING pilot !!

[@sanifjamal]

Rip legend

[@arunkumaracharya9641]

Awesome, should have uploaded in HD...44:35...that is breath taking

[@zoemegan7051]

I will take Zoe and Megan here. Eagles' nest. Lady Finger. I hope to see Mansur and his crazy hotel. RIP JS

[@phzoomin]

Que linda locura

[@pat13487]

❤

[@pnuema1.618]

Amazing!

[@kiwicory100]

OMG!!!

[@rajpoottoshithakur5996]

Rest in peace sir

[@yasmeenagha7411]

Wow😍

[@TehMichiman]

anybody know the music that starts at 44:10 ?

[@realbounty5221]

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!

[@mohamadazam3544]

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]

Very nice music. Can you tell me what the name of the song is?

[@3leutheros]

RIP John

[@randybeard6040]

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...

[@adnanali8857]

RIP john.

[@rondoodledix]

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.

[@guidoflyhigh]

R.I.P.

[@ranasingh5544]

What brand sunglasses is john wearing? :)

[@shoaibulhayat9509]

Riep john

[@justamotoride1395]

"We can get close if you want to " -- NOOOOO

[@SamGlasser]

🤑 Too much whining Alun!!! John is a fantastic pilot.

[@watchingandwaiting247]

RIP

[@punitchandel9246]

rip😂😂😂