Double Everest in a Day
Italian adventure athlete Aaron Durogati has etched his name into the history books after setting a new 24-hour Hike-and-Fly World Record, completing the equivalent of more than two Mount Everests in vertical ascent in less than a single day.
The Red Bull athlete achieved the extraordinary feat on Norway’s iconic Slogen Mountain between 7 and 8 June 2026, recording a staggering 19,424 metres of total ascent. The achievement eclipsed the previous world record of 17,534 metres by an impressive 1,890 metres, establishing a new benchmark in one of the world’s most demanding endurance disciplines.
A Record-Breaking Performance
Durogati completed 18 ascents of Slogen Mountain, each gaining approximately 1,080 metres in elevation. Starting almost at sea level beside the Norwegian fjords, he maintained an average climbing rate of 900 metres per hour throughout the challenge.
The hike-and-fly discipline combines mountain running with paragliding, requiring athletes to repeatedly climb a mountain before launching themselves back to the starting point using a paraglider. Success depends on a delicate balance of physical endurance, flying expertise, weather management and meticulous planning.
The challenge took place under Norway’s unique 24-hour daylight conditions, allowing Durogati to continue throughout the night while navigating changing weather, darkness and fatigue.
Following in the Footsteps of Legends
Durogati is widely regarded as one of the world’s elite hike-and-fly athletes. His reputation was further cemented by his victory in the prestigious Red Bull X-Alps in 2025, often considered the toughest adventure race on the planet.
The Hike-and-Fly World Record has evolved significantly over the past decade. Austrian athlete Florian Ebenbichler first established the concept in 2014 with 8,860 metres of vertical gain in 24 hours using an ultralight paraglider. The record was later pushed to 17,534 metres in 2024 by French endurance athlete Tanguy Renaud-Goud.
By surpassing that mark by nearly two vertical kilometres, Durogati has redefined what is possible in the sport.
Battling Fatigue and the Elements
Despite the final result, the journey was far from easy.
“There were a couple of hard moments. Already after 4,000 to 5,000 vertical metres I got really tired, especially thinking about the 20 hours I had left. I tried to stay really focused on every lap and every step.”
Durogati explained
The athlete broke each climb into smaller sections, concentrating on efficiency during both hiking and flying. Rain showers and reduced visibility during the night added another layer of complexity to an already brutal challenge.
Fortunately, a dedicated support team helped keep him motivated and on schedule throughout the attempt.
Marginal Gains Made the Difference
For Durogati, success was the result of months of preparation rather than a single breakthrough.
He invested heavily in physical conditioning while also developing specialised paragliders, backpacks and harness systems tailored specifically for the challenge.
“It was the full package. Every 10 seconds I could save here and there across 18 laps eventually became minutes. That might make the difference between having a world record or not.”
he said
That obsession with detail ultimately paid off, allowing him to maximise efficiency across every stage of the attempt.
A Career-Defining Achievement
The world record marks the culmination of nearly a year of planning and preparation.
“It feels really amazing as it was a long-term project. I’m racing a lot and to pull off this whole project I needed about three-quarters of a year, the right location and a good team. It was something that was missing in my career.”
Durogati said
Everything finally aligned on Slogen Mountain, where preparation, opportunity and determination combined to produce one of the most remarkable performances ever witnessed in hike-and-fly competition.
In just 23 hours and 42 minutes, Durogati covered 103 kilometres through a combination of hiking and flying, reached speeds of up to 86 km/h under paraglider and climbed more than twice the height of Mount Everest.
For the Italian athlete, the result is more than a world record—it is a testament to the relentless pursuit of excellence that defines the spirit of adventure sports.
Aaron Durogati’s 24-Hour Hike-and-Fly World Record at a Glance
- Total ascent: 19,424 metres
- Previous record: 17,534 metres
- Record margin: +1,890 metres
- Location: Slogen Mountain, Norway
- Date: 7–8 June 2026
- Completion time: 23 hours 42 minutes
- Number of ascents: 18
- Average climb gain: 1,080 metres
- Average ascent rate: 900 m/h
- Maximum paragliding speed: 86 km/h
- Total distance covered: 103 km
- Equivalent climb: More than twice Mount Everest
- Average heart rate: 118 bpm
- Maximum heart rate: 158 bpm
- Calories consumed: 10,000 kcal
- Calories burned: 11,000 kcal
- Recommended recovery time: 119 hours
Durogati’s achievement stands as one of the most impressive endurance and paragliding performances ever recorded, raising the bar for future generations of hike-and-fly athletes.
