Paragliders take off by the dozens from a launch site just behind our house. The site is at about 2000 ft, but on a good day they shoot up very rapidly as soon as they go over the edge. Since they are riding the winds rising against a long ridge, and there ar no tornados or hurricanes in these parts, there is alimit to how high they can go, but they easily reach the peak of nearby Mt. Cheam, about 7000 ft. Talking to one pilot who had done 1700 flights, he said that they sometimes only come down because they get hungry.

Paragliders usually wear very well insulated suits with gloves, helmets and goggles, since it can be pretty cold just sitting in the wind for hours - and flights can last for many hours. So I can see how Wisnerska could have survived a relatively short excursion to such great heights.

I wonder what the air pressure would be in a situation like that? Is it significantly higher than normal at that altitude because of the updraft?