The outright motorcycle altitude record stands, we think, at 20,065ft (6116m) – achieved on the North Face of Everest. We're trying to find out more detail, but it's believed this record was set by two Chinese chaps with the help of a big support team. Information is very hard to get hold of.
We are not expecting to get permission to venture to the Chinese side of Everest, so our attempts will have to be made elsewhere. First port of call in the Himalaya will instead be an area of high desert called Ladakh. Here we hope (authorities permitting) to explore the area around the Marsimek Pass – which is currently the highest 'road' in the world at 18,634ft (5680m) and where pictorial evidence suggests we can go a good deal higher than the pass itself. Any increase in altitude above the road should see us safely able to claim an unsupported record, though we will endeavor to set as serious a benchmark as we're able. Using reconnaissance and local contacts we will also be looking to find additional venues where we can push the record further.
