Video: Watch a DJI Mavic soar above Mt Everest

A Chinese-based film crew have completed a three-year long project to fly a Mavic 3 drone off the highest point on Earth: the summit of Mount Everest.

8KRAW, a Chinese video production company, partnered with DJI for the ambitious project that involved the Mavic 3 ascending to over 9,232 metres into the air.

Speaking to sUAS News, Wang Yuanzong, the chief director of the film and founder of 8KRAW, said the plan had been three years in the making.

“It was the team’s long-cherished wish to fly a drone at the top and complete the leap shooting," he said. "The light and reliable Mavic 3 with the ultimate image and the warm weather conditions on the summit day finally came true, and I am very grateful to Mount Everest for accepting us and allowing us to see it from a new perspective.”

The team had a pre-planned flight route that allowed for the creation of aerial shots at the summit of Mount Everest, close-up shots of the mountain, and views of the Himalayas with Mount Everest in the foreground. The drone was able to fly despite air pressure at the summit being one-third that at sea level.

The team made the ascent in May, and reached the summit on the 27th. 

Writing about the partnership, DJI was suitably epic in its choice of language.

“This is Mount Everest. The highest point on Earth. A place where describing the weather as ‘harsh’ is an understatement,” 

“Together with 8KRAW Films, we developed a detailed flight plan that would allow their videographers to take the ultimate drone flight from the summit — capturing the stunning beauty of the mountain, and the surrounding views, as they’ve not been captured before.” 

Cover image: Evening View of Mt.Everest from Gokyo Ri/CC