Everest youths to cross the globe

The pair have also climbed in the Alps, northern Pakistan and Nepal

Two teenagers who became the youngest Britons to climb Mount Everest are now set to trek from pole to pole using only natural and human power.

Rob Gauntlett, from Petworth in West Sussex, and James Hooper, of Wellington in Somerset, both aged 19, will travel 17,000 miles over 10 months.

Mr Gauntlett said they would walk, ski, cycle and sail during their expedition.

The pair, who reached the summit of Everest in May, plan to begin their latest challenge in March 2007.

The expedition, called 180 Degrees - Pole to Pole Manpowered 2007, will see the pair attempting to become the first people to traverse the globe without using any motorised forms of transport.

180 DEGREES - THE ROUTE Ski from the world's northern-most point across the ice pack Ice Breaker Yacht to Newfoundland in Canada Cycling all the way down North and South America Yacht from Chile to the Wedell sea area of Antarctica Power kite-assisted skiing to the South Pole

Mr Gauntlett said: "From the time we get to the North Pole for the whole time to the South Pole, we will be cycling, walking, skiing and sailing.

"We'll always be under natural and human power.

"We're trying to promote green travel and investment in sustainable energies, while also encouraging young children to follow their dreams.

"Our age and the profile of our expedition is an ideal opportunity to flag these issues up."

The teenagers will have to fly to their start point at the North Pole, but Mr Gauntlett said they would offset their plane's carbon emissions by sponsoring the replanting of trees in the Amazon rainforest.

They will also raise money for The Prince's Trust during their epic journey, which is scheduled to end at the South Pole in January 2008.