A team of army mountaineers led by a Derbyshire soldier climbing Everest have finally reached its West Ridge.
The 21 climbers face snowstorms and 100mph (160 km/h) jet stream winds on an unsheltered, thin stretch of rock.
The men want to become the first Britons to negotiate Everest via this route, which has been conquered by fewer than 20 climbers.
Their preparation included intense fitness training organised by Leeds Metropolitan University.
Team leader Dave Bunting, 38, from Alderwasley in Derbyshire, had the original idea back in May 2003.
His group began their 29,029ft (8,848m) climb in the beginning of April.
They now intend to establish Camp Five at 8,000 metres and make the final journey up the Hornbein Coleur.
The risk of avalanche, coupled with its steepness, means that the West Ridge remains one of Everest's hardest routes and climbers are exposed to high winds for its entirety.
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