Aaron Durogati sets a new Hike & Fly World Record covering 19,424 meters of positive elevation gain in 23 hours, 42 minutes and 32 seconds.
The challenge is conceptually simple: hike up, fly down, repeat. In reality, it demands a continuous balance of endurance, timing, mountain experience and decision-making under fatigue.
Between 7 and 8 June 2026, the attempt took place on the slopes of Slogen Mountain in Norway, above Norangsfjorden. A location chosen for its long daylight hours and stable conditions, where a 2.57 km line connects valley and summit, gaining around 1,080 vertical meters per ascent.
From this line, the effort took shape. Eighteen identical cycles, repeated for almost a full day. Each one starting with a hike from the fjord, each one ending with a flight back down.
On average, 900 vertical meters gained per hour.
By the end of the challenge, Aaron had surpassed the previous record by 1,890 vertical meters.
The numbers tell part of the story. More than 100 kilometers covered across hiking and flying. A maximum speed of 86 km/h in flight. More than 21 hours spent hiking.
But the achievement goes beyond statistics.
Hike & Fly is about moving efficiently through the mountains by combining human-powered ascent with the freedom of flight. It rewards patience, judgment and consistency as much as physical strength. Every transition matters. Every launch matters. Every decision matters.
Behind this attempt lies a long preparation phase: physical training, refinement of equipment and repeated testing in alpine conditions. In Hike & Fly, performance is built from small margins — seconds saved, movements optimized, decisions repeated correctly over time.
From the first ascent to the final flight, the challenge demanded total focus. No shortcuts. Just a simple cycle repeated through a long Arctic day, almost always bright, sometimes under headlamp.
“There were a couple of hard moments, already after 4000–5000 vertical meters I got really tired, especially thinking about the 20h I had left, but I tried to stay really focused on every lap, every step. At night, when it got dark, also with some rain showers, it was tough, but I had really good support which kept me motivated throughout.” Aaron Durogati
