Seventy years ago the first man climbed the world’s highest active volcano, Ojos del Salado in Chile. Today, two teams driving Jeep Wranglers honored this achievement as they set a new world record by making their way up 6,646 meters (21,804 feet) to the volcano’s rim in their vehicles. This high altitude drive earned them a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Normally, climbers set aside 10 to 13 days to make the trek up to the volcano. Visitors are attracted to this remote realm because of the stunning mountains, beautiful lagoons, gurgling thermal ponds and wildlife. It’s a great place for hiking, mountain biking or for driving a 4x4.

Matthias Jeschke, from Extrem Events (Germany), and his team of 13 men and 2 women spent several months practicing under high-altitude conditions before they attempted to take their Jeeps to the top of the volcano.

The planning for this project went on for about a year. Because of the weather on the volcano they only had a few days in March to make the attempt. Adding to the pressure was the knowledge that there were several rival teams from different countries who were also preparing to break the record and reach the summit.

If all went well, the ascent could be made in around six to ten days: six to ten days of hard physical work and exertion in very thin air on the way to the highest point, a small rock plateau approximately 300 to 400 meters beneath the summit.