Scaling Aconcagua on Wheels: The Historic Motorcycle Expedition with Bultaco Sherpa
Aconcagua is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 6.961m (22,838ft) above the sea level, located in the Mendoza Province, Argentina. It’s one of the highest roads of South America.
Set high in the Andes mountain range, it's one of the highest roads of Argentina. On January 14th, 1977, a remarkable journey took place. Five Spanish riders, equipped with specially adapted Bultaco Sherpa T 183 motorcycles, climbed up to this peak—the highest mountain outside of Asia. In doing so, they set an impressive altitude record for motorcycling.
The Moto Igualada – Aconcagua – Amazon Expedition
This expedition, also popularly known as Moto Igualada – Aconcagua, was spearheaded by five Catalan mountaineers in 1977. They took on the formidable challenge of ascending Aconcagua on two Bultaco Sherpa T 350 cc motorcycles. The aim? To reach the highest possible altitude on a motorbike. These intrepid adventurers were not just amateur mountaineers, but also fervent trial biking enthusiasts. Hailing from Igualada, Spain, they were all esteemed members of the Moto Club Igualada: Pep Bou, Joan Comellas, Santi Godó, Josep Maria Lladó, and Jaume Llansana.
Their ambition was rewarded. On January 14, 1977, they achieved an altitude of 6,800 meters, breaking the existing record of 5,895 meters set on Kilimanjaro in 1974 by another expedition, Moto Igualada-Kilimanjaro, which included Godó, Lladó, and Llansana
Moto Igualada-Kilimanjaro Expedition
In 1974, another notable expedition, the Moto Igualada – Kilimanjaro, took place. Eight Catalans took on the challenge of reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro on a Bultaco Sherpa T 250 cc motorcycle, successfully matching the world altitude record on a motorbike.
Bultaco Sherpa T
From 1964 to 1985, the Bultaco Sherpa T emerged as a trial motorcycle model of distinction. Manufactured by Bultaco, it was celebrated as one of the finest motorcycles in its class. Notably, it faced strong competition from other Catalan-made bikes like the Cota and OSSA MAR, yet it carved its own niche, earning international acclaim.
Pic: http://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD01/HEM/1977/02/20/MD19770220-035.pdf