Riders conquer world’s highest road in the Himalayas
WITH temperature dipping to -5 degrees celsius, members of the Himalayan Adventure Team Pilipinas wasted no time in raising the Philippine flag, after they successfully reached the ‘World’s Highest Motorable Road’ in Khardung La, India, last June 20.
“Philippines, we’re here now at the highest motorable path in the world at 18,300 feet above sea level,” says Jimmy Barinaga, head of the seven- member team, in a video sent from Khardung La. The Pinoy riders endured the twisty, dusty, and narrow passages of the Himalayan mountains for 10 days.
They took off from New Delhi and rode Royal Enfield motorcycles to the Jammu and Kashmir passage with their supplies and personal belongings. Despite t he c h i l l i ng t e mperature, Barinaga’s team proudly placed the Philippine flag beside a marker on the highest elevation point for vehicles, a first in the country’s motorcycling history.
They reached the “World’s Highest Motorable Road” marker at 12:10pm India Time (2:40pm Manila time).
“Pilipinas. We’re j ust opening t he
Mabuhay ang gateway for the other riders to come here. Next year, kayo naman!” the president of the
Enfield Philippines and Hardcore Brothers Custom Motorcycles, Inc., added.
The Jammu and Kashmir passage is listed in CNN’s 10 most dangerous roads. Known for landslides and roadside erosions, this narrow highway was also featured in National Geographic Traveller India as a danger zone for motorists.
The s i x other t eam members include Roberto Diaz, chief mechanic/ plant manager of Royal Enfield Philippines; Raul Ona, TV commercial director; Kannan J ayaprakash Sreedevi, professional chef; Omar Sebastian, ENT doctor; Dian Dayag, hotelier; and TV host Ryan Agoncillo.