Social Climbers - The Pictures

At last, we bring you photos of the new world record holding New Zealand Social Climbers who recently dined out on the summit of 6962-metre Aconcagua, the highest point outside the Himalayas.

It wasn't all smooth sailing for the culinary alpinists though. One team member broke his leg before even getting on the plane and another Hamish Milne (33) - a policeman - was hit by altitude sickness and unable to summit so two unsuspecting Argentinian climbers were, erm, roped in to make up the numbers. The Guinness Book of records says that six diners must summit and then hold a formal dinner party to qualify for the record.

And while Aconcagua isn't a technical climb, it's not without risks: "Whilst we were preparing to climb a German climber died of a heart attack on the mountain", said Craig Crosse, the team's expedition leader. "Two Korean climbers also lost fingers, toes and one an eye - due to frost bite in the harsh conditions - so all in all we were pretty lucky!"

But hell, here are the pics. For details of the menu, see our previous articles at the bottom of this page.

Thank you and good night.