A climber has the top of the world's highest mountain almost in his sights.

Warrant Officer Dick Gale, 36, of Bradford Road, Otley, is part of the Army On Everest expedition's record-breaking attempt to put the first British climbers on the summit of Mount Everest via the West Ridge.

In a significant milestone for British climbing, the army's main team, including WO Gale, has finally arrived at the heart of the challenge the West Ridge itself.

Currently equipping Camp Four and hoping to establish Camp Five at 8,000 metres, they will then have to combat 100mph jetstream winds and snowstorms as they try to climb an unsheltered, thin stretch of rock positioned precariously on one of the mountain's sheerest drops.

The army says the team's arrival on the ridge has created a wave of emotion and willpower amongst team members, who are now looking forward to the final challenge of conquering the mountain.

WO Gale, in a web journal, or blog', posted on Tuesday: "With Team C withdrawing from the hill after a successful week's load carrying and establishing Camp Four, Big Ven's team are left on the hill to fully load up Camp Four ready for the anticipated big push.

"Team B are currently at the front edge of a huge logistics lift, involving most of the Sherpas, including Nima the Sirdar and even the cook boy from Camp One.

"The plan is to fully stock all the camps with enough equipment and food to allow a strong push through the diagonal ditch and on up the Hornbein Coulouir to the summit.

"The mood at Tilman's Camp is extremely good, with many team members having now been above 7,500 metres successfully without any severe difficulties; a mere Ben Nevis from the summit.

"Everyone is keen to find out who the initial summit teams will be. As I am writing this, Dave B, Dave W and JD have got their heads together (and formed a log cabin) and are discussing the final solution.

"What may be surprising to some is the effect of the sun; even though we are at an altitude that jet airliners normally fly at, the sun is extremely strong and debilitating.

"In the shade the temperature at this altitude is approximately minus 15C, however climbing and working in the sun we are only wearing a thin thermal top and windsuit and are still way too hot.

"Sunburn, particularly of the lips, is also a major problem and hard to combat. When we stop though, we need to cover up rapidly or we soon start to get very cold.

"The next few days will hopefully provide a restful break and allow everyone to recharge their batteries, get fully fuelled up with the decent Base Camp grub, grab a shower in the sun and get fired up for the big push. Now where did that bottle of Glenfiddich go...?"

The attempt, which the team have been training and planning for since 2003, has been timed to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the first Army Mountaineering Association's summit of Everest.

To find out more visit www.armyon everest.mod.uk e-mail: newsdesk@bradford.newsquest.co.uk