The aim: to beat the world altitude record for motorbikes. In the saddle: three of Switzerland’s top endure specialists. Among them is the current world record-holder for high altitudes, Jiri Zak. Who will accomplish this herculean task? A grueling challenge for man and machine on the world's tallest volcano, Chile's Ojos del Salado (6893 m).
Finally! Chile reopened its borders in November 2021, giving Jiri Zak, the reigning motorcycle altitude world champion, a chance to better his own world record of 6546 m on Ojos. When it comes to enduro, just one ride through the Atacama Desert is never enough. No wonder this Andean volcano is a favorite location for world altitude record attempts for top manufacturers in a wide range of vehicle categories. But Jiri's endeavor was cut short by heavy snow, razor-sharp penitents and temperatures down to –36 °C on the dormant stratovolcano. Reaching 6556 m, he succeeded in bettering his old record by a mere ten meters. But he's not satisfied yet!
“Precipitation volumes and meteorological conditions are a key factor in record attempts on Ojos,” explains Raffael Panzeri, lead rider on the MCS team. MCS stands for Moto Center Schwyz AG, the organization that planned the 2022 record attempt. The team consists of three Swiss enduro specialists: Jiri Zak (42), Thomas Schranz (42) and Raffael Panzeri (53), with support from Patrick Voser (technical and logistics) and expedition organizers High Mountain Experience (infrastructure & camp) in Chile.
Dizziness, headaches and nausea can occur at elevations as low as 2500 m. Not the best state to be in for a world record attempt without oxygen at well over 6000 m. So for three weeks before departure, the team members acclimated by spending each night in a reduced-oxygen altitude tent. Gradual adaptation to high altitudes, which also
included an anabolic fitness program, was one of the most important elements in preparing for the record attempt. In late November 2022 the team traveled from Zurich via Paris and Santiago de Chile, taking the most direct route to the remote Copiapó. From there it was a further five hours by ATV to the base camp at Laguna Verde (4239 m), a saline lake with turquoise waters high in minerals.
Meanwhile four factory-fresh KTM 500 EXC-F motorcycles and supplies such as spare wheels, tires and lubricants were also making their way to the camp. Not without drawing attention from a few suspicious-looking types in a black pickup who tried to force the trailer off the road. The attempt was thwarted by a police patrol who noticed what was
happening and provided an escort. After reaching the camp without further incident five hours later, the team turned their attention to the bikes. The high-torque one-cylinder four-stroke KTM was the perfect choice for this adventure. With no major modifications, the power enduro bikes proved absolutely reliable. For better offroad performance, the tires were equipped with “mousse” foam inserts in place of inner tubes. The mousse inserts provide tire pressure equivalent to only about 0.7 bar for maximum grip and can keep going even after a puncture.
The day began at 6 am. Despite, or perhaps because of the team's well-insulated garments, getting up in –4 °C temperatures always took a certain measure of willpower. The Peruvian cook, Silvio, rewarded the team with breakfast in generous but always easily digestible portions. They would need plenty of energy for the coming seven hours of off-road travel.
“We were deliberately careful not to climb all too quickly. The mousse would mean less stability anyway at high speeds. After a while it grew hot, nearly 25 °C. Our tongues and eyes were dry, our lips cracked from the elements. We were carrying fuel canisters and water. The team was moving through an inhospitable area, empty of people. No trees, no shrubs, no trails. Then suddenly the terrain changed from fine yellow sand to rocky gravel. Our objective was to find the ideal ascent towards the eastern peak. After crossing the glacier runoff, our uphill path grew ever steeper. Small ravines alternated with dirty snow and ice. After another two hours of balancing acts there was no longer a way forward. We had too little grip, and the cracks in the glacier were too big and dangerous! Exhausted, the team arrived back in camp at about 2:30 in the afternoon. After eating, it was time to rest or relax our muscles in a sheet-metal sauna at a 40° C hot spring not far from the camp.” But this would not be the last attempt to wrestle a new world altitude record from Ojos.
Harsh as it may seem, the rider is clearly the limiting factor when aiming for a new record. It is the rider's physical and mental capacity and skill with the machine that, under favorable circumstances, make the difference in climbing those decisive meters of altitude. It is no exaggeration to say that Thomas Schranz is an extremely successful Swiss endure rider. On December 3 the moment had come: inwardly, Thomas was ready to outdo himself. Together with teammates Jiri and Raffael he set out in the direction of the eastern peak. The group remained together until reaching an elevation of roughly 6640 m. At this altitude, the KTMs needed every bit of horsepower. Not a problem with fuel injection and the fine control provided by a multi-disc clutch in an oil bath thanks to MOTOREX CROSS POWER 4T SAE 10W/60. Now each rider was searching for the ideal path. Meter by meter of elevation, the riders ratcheted their way up. Everything seemed to be moving in slow motion. Then the team members lost visual contact with one another. This could prove dangerous given the high, steep cliffs on the far side of Ojos and the border with Argentina.
A new world altitude record at 6725 m
By virtue of his physical constitution, skilled pathfinding and iron will, Thomas pulled ahead of the group and battled his way upwards meter by meter. Breathing was difficult. His pulse was hammering. Behind him was an extreme landscape of enormous fissured glaciers and little traction to speak of. At the lower temperatures now prevailing, the Michelins were hard as rock. “Keep going!” said an inner voice. As if by remote control he fought his way up to a phenomenal 6725 m – here it was, the new world altitude record in the motorcycle category. Without outside assistance or oxygen. Thomas had made it! His heart beating in his throat, a joyful high-altitude euphoria began to set in.
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