Aaron Durogati, an Italian paraglider pilot and Salewa athlete, has set a new 24-hour Hike & Fly world record, completing 19,424 meters of elevation gain in just 23 hours, 42 minutes, and 32 seconds. The feat, accomplished between June 7 and 8, 2026, on Mount Slogen, Norway, allowed him to surpass the previous world record of 17,534 meters by 1,890 meters.
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19,424 meters of elevation gain in less than 24 hours
The goal of the challenge was to accumulate the greatest possible elevation gain in 24 hours, alternating ascents on foot and descents by paraglider. A seemingly simple format, it requires an extraordinary combination of athletic preparation, strategy, and management of environmental conditions.
An endurance performance between mountains and flight
During the attempt, Durogati completed 18 ascents, each with approximately 1,080 meters of elevation gain. He maintained an average climbing speed of approximately 900 meters per hour, demonstrating consistency and endurance throughout the entire effort.
Mount Slogen as the scene of the record
The chosen route started almost at sea level, directly from the fjord, and wound its way up the steep, technical slopes of Mount Slogen. The mountain’s characteristics made the route particularly suitable for an alpine endurance event, offering an ideal mix of elevation gain, continuity, and accessibility.
Aaron Durogati’s hike-and-fly experience
Already winner of the Red Bull X-Alps 2025, Aaron Durogati is today considered one of the main interpreters of the discipline at an international level.
His experience combines competition, alpine flying, planning skills, and physical preparation—essential elements in a sport where every decision can impact the final outcome. Transition times, weather conditions, and energy management are key factors in the success of a project of this caliber.
“There were a couple of difficult moments. After just 4,000 or 5,000 meters of elevation gain, I was already very tired, especially considering the 20 hours I still had ahead of me. But I tried to stay focused on every lap, every step. I divided the climb into small segments and tried to be very precise, efficient, and fast in the flight phases. In a sense, it was just a matter of ‘running,’ but of course, during the night, with darker conditions and a few showers, it was tough. I had really important support, which helped me stay motivated throughout the entire undertaking.”
Aaron Durogati
Why Norway was crucial to the record’s success.
The choice of Norway played a strategic role in organizing the undertaking. The long daylight hours typical of the season reduced the complexity of night flying, allowing for more efficient management of the entire attempt.
Preparation, strategy and attention to detail
In an extreme challenge like the 24H Hike & Fly, no detail can be left to chance. From reading the wind to safety during takeoff and landing, from nutrition to effort management, every detail contributes to the final result.
The record is the result of extensive preparation. Durogati worked intensively on his physical condition, strength, and ability to sustain sustained effort, while simultaneously developing an optimized technical setup with his team.
103 kilometers traveled and more than two Everests climbed
Overall, the feat covered a total distance of 103 kilometers between trekking and flying. In less than 24 hours, Aaron Durogati accumulated an elevation gain greater than twice the height of Mount Everest, setting a new benchmark for the discipline.
A new benchmark for modern hike & fly
With this new 24H Hike & Fly world record, Aaron Durogati confirms his status among the most complete athletes on the international scene.
His performance represents a new benchmark for the evolution of modern hike and fly, a discipline that combines physical endurance, mountaineering skills, precision flying, and meticulous preparation. This extreme balance has once again allowed the Italian athlete to enter the history books of the sport.
It’s an incredible feeling, because this has been a long-term project. I compete a lot, and to pull off something like this, I needed the right place, the right team, and almost a year of preparation. It was something that was missing in my career. This year, I found the motivation, the right place, and the right time, and in the last 24 hours, everything fell into place perfectly.
Aaron Durogati
Key Facts – Aaron Durogati’s 24-Hour Hike & Fly World Record
• Record: new 24H Hike & Fly world record
• Total positive difference in altitude: 19,424 metres
• Previous record: 17,534 meters
• Margin of overcoming: +1,890 meters
• Departure time: June 7th at 12:00 CEST
• Arrival time: June 8th at 11:42 CEST
• Total time: 23 hours and 42 minutes
• Number of climbs: 18 climbs
• Average altitude difference per climb: 1,080 metres
• Average ascent speed: 900 m/h
• Place: Monte Slogen, Norvegia
• Date: 7–8 june 2026
• Maximum speed in paragliding: 86 km/h
• Total distance covered: 103 kilometers between walking and flying
• Vertical height equivalent: over 2 times Mount Everest
• Average heart rate: 118 bpm
• Maximum heart rate: 158 bpm
• Energy: 10,000 kcal consumed, 11,000 kcal burned
• Suggested recovery time: 119 hours
