Gasherbrum II, Parachuting and Hang-Gliding. Among other exploits achieved by French climbers on Gasherbrum II, two impressive records were set. On July 11 Pierre Gévaux successfully descended by parachute from the summit. On July 14, Jean-Marc Boivin made the first descent of an 8000er by hang-glider. On July 8 he carried his 17-kilogram hang-glider to the summit but strong winds prevented the start. Six days later Boivin again reached the summit—in 16 hours from Base Camp! On the top he had to spend four hours to free the hang-glider from fresh snow and to start when there was no wind. The flight to Base Camp took 20 or 25 minutes. It was hazardous because of fatigue after the speedy climb, the work on the summit and the reduced carrying capacity of the air, which at 8000 meters is only a quarter that of sea level. In September 1979 Boivin made a hang-glider descent from Camp IV at 7600 meters on K2. The previous record, however, was made on May 12, 1984 when Japanese Naotaka Tadano descended from 7800 meters in 19 minutes to 5100 meters from below the main peak of Kangchenjunga.

JóZEF Nyka, Editor, Taternik, Poland