Everest Skydive

 

On 15 October 2008, PASA member Adolphe Botha made history by becoming one of the 12 solo-jumpers to accomplish the first-ever skydiving event held over Mount Everest.

He became the first South African to jump 29 500 feet (8 300m) from an aircraft, soar over Mount Everest, and land on the highest dropzone on earth (3 720m above sea level) at Shyangboche, Namche Bazar in Nepal. He went on to also perform the first ever 3 way skydive over Mt Everest.

A former parabat, Adolphe trained with Ralph Ridge and Francois Goosen at Rustenburg Skydiving Club doing 78 skydives in preparation for this feat.

Jumpers wore specially tailored skydive suits that can accommodate temperatures of up to minus 40 degrees and which also seal thoroughly, as even the tiniest gap in a zip would have exposed the skin to frostbite. The oxygen systems were specially designed and built for this expedition.