While wingsuit jumper Joby Ogwyn will take his iconic jump from Mt Everest in May, Discovery Channel will air it live
World-renowned wingsuit jumper Joby Ogwyn will attempt the first flight off the peak of the world’s highest mountain, Mount Everest and Discovery Channel will bring this incredible human feat straight from the summit to television. In May 2014, the channel will air Ogwyn’s jump live in 224 countries and territories across the world.
The show called Everest Jump live will take viewers along the journey with two, one-hour pre-shows revealing Joby’s intense training and preparations for Everest. It will then culminate with a live two-hour broadcast — showing Joby as he battles the gruelling conditions on the way to Everest’s summit and ultimately takes the final plunge from the top.
Joby’s custom-made wingsuit will be equipped with cameras bringing a bird’s eye view as he descends more than 10,000 vertical feet at speeds of over 150 mph. Joby is no stranger to Everest. He first climbed the world’s highest peak as a 24-year-old, becoming the youngest American to make it to the top. In 2008, Joby set the world record for the fastest ascent of Mt Everest, climbing from the base of the south side route to the summit in just nine and a half hours (it usually takes three to four days). Ever since then, he’s searched for the ultimate way to explore the mountain — and now he’s found it.
“This will be the final piece of my dream. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve imagined what it would be like to fly. I can’t think of a more spectacular backdrop than Everest. Everything that I’ve ever accomplished in my life has just been practice for what I’m about to do,” said Joby.
Joby will conduct dozens of test jumps in California, Florida, Utah and the Swiss Alps. After extensive preparation, he will then travel to the Himalayas for final training. After six weeks of acclimatisation, Joby and his team will be ready to summit Everest.