A SOLDIER from the North-East is leading a team on a British first when they attempt to climb one of the world's highest mountains - before skiing down from the summit.

Warrant Officer Graeme Taylor will lead a team of 17 soldiers, chosen from 170, up Shishapangma, in the Tibetan Himalayas, 75 miles west of Mount Everest.

It is one of only 14 mountains in the world over 8,000 metres, at which point climbers enter the "death zone", where there is not enough oxygen to survive for any length of time.

"The altitude will be a significant hurdle," said WO Taylor. "But technically there isn't much in our way, this is military mountaineering.

"It's about taking up the challenge and, success or not, returning home better soldiers and people."

The 36-year-old grew up in Ferryhill, County Durham, but now lives in Ripon, North Yorkshire, with his wife, Kitty, and their three children.

He initially joined the Royal Engineers, but later moved to the Army Physical Corps and has since participated in expeditions throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the Falkland Islands.

The expedition left for Tibet earlier this month and the ascent is expected to take place any day now - once weather conditions are right.

WO Taylor said the keys to success will be team spirit, effective communication and appropriate training.

"We will skin up, then ski from the summit and in the process, develop future expedition leaders and service mountaineers," he said.

Skinning up refers to a mountaineering technique whereby a brush carpet is attached to the skis. It slides in one direction and grips in the other and is taken off before the decent.

For many of the team it will be the first "holiday" they have had since serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

WO Taylor said: "Adventure is all about training servicemen for war. But in the outdoors you're in control, you make your own decisions.

"The stakes are not as high as when somebody is out to kill you."

The expedition is one of several taking place this year to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Army Mountaineering Association.

To follow their progress log onto: http://www.army.mod.uk/ sportandadventure/clubs/AMA/sp07/shishapangma.htm