Army's Everest attempt under way

Leigh Woodhouse says they are prepared for the tough climb

An army team led by a Derbyshire man has begun an attempt to become the first Britons to scale one of the hardest routes to the Everest summit.

Only a handful of people have ever conquered the treacherous West Ridge, which is steep and narrow.

The team - comprising 20 men and one woman - started to climb up solid ice at the bottom of the French Spur.

The mountaineers hope to embark on their final push to reach the actual summit of Everest in May.

The West Ridge also exposes climbers to high winds for the entire route.

After the French spur, the group reached the expedition's base camp at Tilman's Camp.

Surprises in store

From then on, they crossed ice fields and glaciers carrying fuel, food and other goods to establish camps one and two.

Now their challenge is to beat the weather and establish camp three at 7,300m. Dave Bunting, from Alderwasley in Derbyshire, has been planning the expedition for nearly three years.

His childhood friend, Leigh "Woody" Woodhouse, also from Alderwasley, said: "Even now, even at the start of the climb, it's easy to see we're taking on a biggie - but that's fine, we're prepared for it."

Soon the climbers will encounter avalanche territory.

"We're just trying to make as much as we can while we've still got the weather," said Woody.

"But I'm sure there are still surprises around the corner for us."