Twins’ Peaks: The Gilbertson Brothers Aim to Redraw the World’s Maps

From the workshop to the summit

Identical twins James and Mark Gilbertson, both trained mechanical engineers, have swapped their drafting tables for crampons and ice axes. Their new mission? To climb some of the planet’s highest mountains and gather data that could prove long‑standing altitude measurements are wrong.

Why the obsession with numbers?

“Every map I’ve ever drawn had a tiny error,” says James, adjusting his harness at the base of Mount Elbrus. “When you work with tolerances in engineering, even a few metres matter. If the world’s peaks are off by that amount, it’s a problem worth solving.”

Scientific method on the rocks

The brothers equip themselves with high‑precision GPS receivers, laser rangefinders, and portable barometric altimeters. After each summit, they compare the data against the official figures published by national geographic agencies.

Their first major test came on K2, where the twins recorded an altitude of 8,610 m, six metres higher than the widely accepted 8,604 m. The discrepancy, though small, sparked debate among cartographers and mountaineers alike.

Recent achievements

• Mount Everest – Measured at 8,849 m, challenging the 8,848 m standard.
• Kangchenjunga – Recorded 8,585 m, suggesting a revision of the official 8,586 m.
• Denali – Found to be 6,194 m, four metres lower than the USGS figure.

Critics and supporters

While some geodesists argue that satellite‑based models already provide the most accurate readings, others praise the Gilbertsons for bringing a hands‑on, engineering‑focused approach to a field dominated by remote sensing.

What’s next?

The twins plan to tackle the remaining “Seven Summits” and to publish a comprehensive report by the end of 2026. Their ultimate goal is simple: to ensure that every map, guidebook, and navigation system reflects the true heights of Earth’s giants.

Conclusion

Whether their findings will lead to a global revision of mountain altitudes remains to be seen. What is certain, however, is that the Gilbertson brothers have turned a personal curiosity into a daring scientific adventure—one summit at a time.