Everest Jump Live to air on Discovery

Following on from Nik Wallenda’s live tightrope walk across the Grand Canyon, the Discovery Channel is set to screen the first wing suit flight off the summit of Mount Everest, live on air.

To take place in May, Californian Joby Ogwyn will descend more than 3,000 metres at over 240 kilometres per hour, beamed live into 224 countries and territories.

“This will be an historic event afforded exclusively to Subscription Television audiences around the world” says Mandy Pattinson, Senior Vice President & General Manager Australia, New Zealand & The Pacific Islands.

“Discovery Channel continues to break moulds delivering unprecedented live events such as Nik Wallenda’s incredible tightrope walk across the Grand Canyon. Everest Jump Live provides the next insight into the mind and actions of an extraordinary man with a rather unique vocation and allows Foxtel audiences to experience this never before attempted feat in real time. ”

Discovery will take viewers along the journey with pre-shows revealing Joby’s intense training and preparations for Everest. The special will then culminate with a live broadcast – showing Joby as he battles the grueling 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 providing a bird’s eye view as he descends more than 10,000 vertical feet (over 3,000 metres) at speeds of over 150 mph (over 240 kilometres per hour).

Joby is no stranger to Everest. He first summited the world’s highest peak at just 24-years-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 typically takes 3-4 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,” said Joby. “Everything that I’ve ever accomplished in my life has just been practice for what I’m about to do.”

Joby will conduct dozens of test jumps in California, Florida, Utah and the Swiss Alps. After extensive preparation, he will travel to the Himalayas for final training and after six weeks of acclimatisation, Joby and his team will be ready to summit Everest.

But many questions will remain unanswered until he arrives. Will the weather cooperate? Did he bring the right equipment? And has Joby’s training actually prepared him for something no human has ever done before?