TWO Spennymoor soldiers battled wind, rain and fatigue to complete one of the Army's toughest patrolling challenges.
Officer Cadet Richard Holloway and Lance Corporal Shaun Durkin, who both live in Spennymoor, took part in the gruelling Exercise Cambrian Patrol earlier this month.
OCdt Holloway, 20, who attended Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form, in Darlington, was a member of the Wales University Officer Training Corps team.
L Cpl Durkin, 21, a former pupil of Carmel RC School, also Darlington, was with the Prince Of Wales Regiment team.
The annual two-day event takes place in tough Welsh mountain terrain.
It is a highlight of the British Army's training calendar and is known across the world as one of the toughest patrolling tests a soldier can face.
The two-day event attracted more than 100 teams from armed forces across the globe.
OCdt Holloway and L Cpl Durkin had to march 55km through day and night and wade across cold rivers carrying full personal kit and extra equipment weighing up to 60lbs in a realistic scenario against advancing enemy patrols.
L Cpl Durkin was taking part in the Welsh mountain challenge for the third year running
He said: "I enjoy it, the march is hard and the river crossing very cold but it is a challenge and well worth it."
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