Scots amputee scales new peak

Success: The climbers reach the Swiss Summit

By Alex Kirby BBC News Online environment correspondent

A Scottish climber whose hands and feet were amputated in 1999 has been honoured for a climb to protect the environment.

The climber, Jamie Andrew, joined colleagues from India and Pakistan in scaling several peaks in Switzerland.

Now he has been given an award by the International Institute for Peace through Tourism (IIPT).

One of the greatest threats to sustainable mountain development today is conflict

Achim Steiner, IUCN

He is the first quadruple amputee to have made the ascents.

In August 2002 Mr Andrew was one of a team who took part in the Swiss Summit, climbing several mountains including the 4,099-metre (13,450 feet) Monch.

Harish Kapadia and Mandip Singh Soin from India were in the team, with Sher Khan and Nazir Sabir from Pakistan.

Chilly combat

The venture was supported by IUCN - the World Conservation Union - and by the International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation (UIAA).

Jamie Andrew in action

It was staged to stress the importance of protecting mountain environments and of creating cross-frontier protected areas.

The organisers focused on the Siachen glacier, on the Indo-Pakistan border, where the two countries' armies have confronted each other since 1984.

With some advance posts at 6,700 m (22,000 ft), the glacier is described as "the highest battlefield in the world".

All the spent munitions and the combatants' wastes drain into the glacier, ending up eventually in the Indus river.

IUCN believes cleaning up the glacier could help to resolve the border dispute and open the way for a "peace park" to protect the area against further pollution.

UK achievement

The Swiss Summit's crowning moment is thought to be the first time the flags of India and Pakistan have flown together on a mountaintop.

Near the top of the Monch

Three years ago Mr Andrew, an experienced climber, became the first quadruple amputee to reach the summit of Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain.

He made the climb using a pair of custom-built artificial legs and walking sticks which fit over his arms and legs.

He was injured in January 1999 when with a colleague he became stranded on a French peak.

Neglected peaks

Rescue teams eventually reached the men, but Mr Andrew's frostbite was so severe his hands and feet had to be amputated. His colleague died.

Achim Steiner, IUCN director general, said: "Mountain ecosystems do not only capture our imagination but are also extremely important to our planet.

"They are home to one-tenth of the world's people, serve as the water towers of the world, and harbour much of the world's biological diversity.

"Yet one of the greatest threats to sustainable mountain development today is conflict.

"IUCN hopes this award will highlight the urgent need for transboundary cooperation in mountains for peace and conservation."

Images courtesy of IUCN