Altitude sickness began to set in but the crew was well-prepared, consuming garlic, ginger and popcorn to help adapt to the conditions. At Zero Point, the last outpost of civilisation at the meeting point of three rivers, situated at an altitude of 4,663 metres, they were able to appreciate the spectacular panorama of beautiful scenery and snow-capped mountains.
The expedition then set a course for the sacred lake of Gurudongmar via Lachen. At 5,154 metres above sea level, it is one of the highest lakes on the planet. The crew were literally dazzled by its 118 hectare expanse of turquoise water, which freezes over in winter, and relished the moment for all it was worth, despite the -11 degrees displayed on the thermometer and spending the previous nights without heating due to the instability of the electricity grid.
When their stomachs were empty, the expedition members could only rely on the few pieces of bread and snacks they had brought "just in case" and the frugal food items gleaned in the rare shops along the way. It was enough, however, to share a moment of conviviality gathered around the fire in a magnificent setting.
The mission was full of emotions that created lasting bonds. Beyond the excellent teamwork that helped them overcome all the constraints and challenges imposed by the journey and the tests they performed, they will never forget the wonderful moments of camaraderie and the breath-taking scenery.
Despite the difficult conditions – traffic jams, rough roads and winding tracks, frequent dust clouds, the isolation of some sites, steep inclines, extremely high altitude and sub-zero temperatures – the expedition was a success.
Many robustness and durability tests were performed. Special attention was paid to the rigidity of the subframe and the structure of the bodywork. Noise, vibration and dust penetration measurements were taken while driving. Cold starting, vehicle behaviour on dirt roads, rough roads and downhill tracks, uphill acceleration performance, handbraking and steering and all of this in real-time.
