It’s not only in the Alps where some impressive hike-and-fly deeds have been taking place. On 3 July Norway’s Erlend Ukvitne attempted to break the 24-hour hike and fly record of 17,534m set recently by France’s Tanguy Renaud-Goud.
Seeing a rare weather window open up, he took the day off work, drove for seven hours, slept for two, then began the ascent of Slogen (1,564m) in Hjørundfjorden, Norway.
Over the next 24 hours, Erlend hiked a total of 16,178 vertical metres, just 1,356m less than Tanguy. But whereas Tanguy had to secure permission to fly at night, Erlend was able to take advantage of the midnight sun to stay within VFR (visual flight rules).
“It’s the most elevation gain within VFR hours,” his...