BRAVING sub-zero temperatures and blustery snow storms, ten courageous King’s Ely students climbed to the top of Mulhacen, the tallest peak in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in Spain.

The winter training expedition took place over three days, with the young climbers facing temperatures as low as -12°C and an ascent of around 3,500 metres.

Their adventure was facilitated by the King’s Ely Scheme – a unique programme that aims to build skills that cannot necessarily be taught in the classroom, allowing students to push themselves beyond what they ever thought possible.

Director of Ely Scheme, Nick Nicholas, commented: “The expedition to the Sierra Nevada Mountains was part of an ongoing programme to teach the students how to survive in these harsh conditions. Everyone involved coped extremely well and the spectacular views upon reaching the summit made the whole experience even more rewarding.

“Having already scaled the French and Italian Alps, their final expedition lies in Outer Mongolia, with a climb up Mount Kuiten, thought to be the most remote mountain in the world.”

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