On Sunday 1 April a group of 11 members from Scottish Scouting will be heading for Kathmandu in Nepal to undertake the challenge of a lifetime.

Two members of the team, Carrie Gibson from Greenock and Keith Armour from Midlothian, will be attempting to reach the summit of Everest, with three others trekking to the South (Nepalese) Everest Base Camp and going up Kala Patar (5554m), and six tackling Island Peak (6189m).

The expedition to Everest is part of the ‘Seven Summits’ challenge which involves climbing the highest peaks on each of the seven continents of the world. Scottish Scouts have already attempted Mount Elbrus in Russia, Mount McKinley in Alaska, Aconcagua in South America, Kilimanjaro in Africa and Mount Cook in Australasia.

The expedition is the culmination of two years of intensive training in Scotland and further afield including Argentina, the USA, Tanzania, Tien Shan in China and the Himalayas. The team have also had been raising funds and securing sponsorship to finance their trip.

One of the key reasons for attempting Everest in 2007 is that Scouting is celebrating its worldwide Centenary this year, and reaching the summit of Everest is a fantastic way to demonstrate what Scouting can achieve. Part of the ethos of Scouting is helping others and the support trekkers will be meeting and working with local Scouts to carry out a project that will benefit the local Nepalese community.

For more information about this expedition and the 7 summits project visit www.sevensummits.org.uk