TL;DR
Tim Howell, aiming to set the world’s highest wingsuit record from Lhotse, was bitten by a venomous snake during training. He is now recovering and postponing his record attempt. The incident highlights the risks involved in extreme altitude pursuits.
British wingsuit pilot Tim Howell has postponed his record attempt to jump from the Himalayan peak Lhotse after being bitten by a venomous snake during a preparatory walk in France. The incident has temporarily halted his historic expedition, which aimed to set the highest wingsuit flight record in the world.
Howell, with over 1,200 jumps worldwide, was planning his third attempt to leap from approximately 27,230 feet on Lhotse, the world’s fourth-highest mountain. The goal was to surpass the previous record of 26,864 feet set by Valery Rozov in 2016. The incident occurred during a routine walk near Grenoble, France, when Howell felt a small sting from a snake, later identified as an asp viper.
Following the bite, Howell experienced swelling, difficulty breathing, and collapsed before emergency services evacuated him by helicopter. He spent five days in ICU, where doctors confirmed the bite caused necrosis in his finger, which has since healed after surgical removal of damaged tissue. Howell is now undergoing physical therapy to regain full use of his finger and has decided to delay his Himalayan jump until he is fully recovered.
Why It Matters
This incident underscores the inherent risks of extreme altitude and wingsuit flying, especially in remote, high-elevation environments. Howell’s postponement highlights the importance of safety and health considerations in record-setting endeavors. The event also draws attention to the dangers faced by adventurers pushing the limits of human capability in extreme conditions.
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Background
Howell’s attempts to set a world record on Lhotse have been ongoing since 2024, with previous efforts hampered by weather conditions. His first attempt involved establishing a suitable exit route, while the second was thwarted by a storm after four days of waiting at high altitude. Meanwhile, another British adventurer, Joshua Bregmen, plans to parachute off Everest to set an unbreakable altitude record, though this is unrelated to Howell’s wingsuit project. Howell intends to return to Lhotse in 2027 to attempt the record again.
“I can’t walk away from this after all the time and effort we’ve put in. I’ll only jump when everything is right; there can be no second-guessing.”
— Tim Howell
“The bite was from an asp viper, and I was lucky to reach the hospital in time. It was a close call, but I’m healing now.”
— Tim Howell
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What Remains Unclear
It remains unclear when Howell will resume his attempt on Lhotse, as he is still recovering from the snakebite. The exact timeline for his return to high-altitude training and the weather conditions necessary for a successful jump have not been confirmed.
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What’s Next
Howell plans to focus on rehabilitation and physical therapy over the coming months. He has expressed his intent to return to Lhotse in 2027 for another attempt. Meanwhile, other record attempts, such as Bregmen’s Everest parachute jump, are progressing independently.
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Key Questions
What caused Tim Howell’s delay in his Himalayan wingsuit record attempt?
He was bitten by a venomous asp viper during a walk in France, which required hospitalization and delayed his expedition.
Will Howell try to set the record again?
Yes, Howell has announced plans to return to Lhotse in 2027 to attempt the record once more.
How dangerous is a snakebite at high altitude?
While asp viper bites are usually not fatal, Howell’s allergy to venom and the remote location made the incident life-threatening, requiring urgent medical intervention.
Is Howell’s record attempt still happening?
Not at the moment. The attempt is postponed until Howell has fully recovered from his injury.
What other altitude records are being attempted nearby?
British adventurer Joshua Bregmen is planning to parachute off Everest to set an unbreakable altitude record, though this is unrelated to Howell’s wingsuit project.
