Kashmir has long been a troubled place full of turmoil. Official maps of India and Pakistan overlap and both include all of Kashmir, while on the ground their armies eyeball each other across territory claimed by both. In mid 1999 the situation exploded and 135mm artillery bellowed into lethal action while helicopters provided air support, and into this cauldron of warfare rode the Ferris Wheels Himalayan Heights Motorcycle Safari. Tour leader Mike Ferris had to make some decisions.
The road was still open to civilian traffic, but the situation could change minute-by-minute.