TRAINING for the Westbury 2 Everest Expedition to Nepal is continuing to gather momentum with the team completing a series of challenges.

The team of 30 Westbury-based adventurers set to take on the expedition in March next year, led by Army Major Rab Lundie, have completed numerous local walking events and more challenging hikes in Wales and Scotland.

Mr Lundie has stretched the team’s physical and mental boundaries in preparation for the challenges of walking at altitudes of nearly 6,000 metres in extreme and potentially dangerous conditions.

He said: “Everything for the expedition is going very well and the team are now starting to get itchy feet as we draw down to departing.

“However the coming months will be essential to prepare the team and every opportunity will be taken to best use the winter weather.

"I have taken a bit of flack as I seem to always jinx and book bad weather but it has been an excellent tool to test our kit and equipment, physical resolve and mental agility.

“I would like to thank all team members for their continued drive to train and support each other and for the team members who have organised bespoke training events and social gatherings.”

In July a large number of the team went to North Wales to complete two arduous days of tough walking, climbing Snowdonia's Tryfan as well as Glyder Fach and Glyder Fawr.

In May the team went to South Wales and completed a full day of walking, scaling Pen-y-Fan, which is the highest peak in South Wales.

Mr Lundie organised the expedition after his planned escapade to Nepal with the army was cancelled due to the earthquake.

The team will take the expedition on from March 8 to March 29.