Squaddies Scale Antarctic Virgins

According to Ananova, a British Army expedition has summited on two probably unclimbed peaks in Antarctica.

The peaks, Mt Banck and Mt Hoegh allegedly reach a mighty 2,208ft and 2,981ft - wow - with, according to Ananova, the climbing involved 'scaling almost sheer ice walls using crampons and picks, with drops hundreds of feet below.'

In true army style, many of the 15 members of the British Army Antarctic Expedition are said to be novices. In the words of one= Sgt Steve Ayres, 29, of Darlington: "I could not have imagined that my first serious attempt at ice climbing may also have been a first ascent.'

In the most recent dispatch from the team, describes how the team's first attempt on Hoegh was thwarted by the weather, and a blow by blow description of the ascent with some haunting pictures.