Keighley students James Mason and Andrew Walker, pictured, are planning to climb one of the highest active volcanoes in the world.

The former Skipton Ermy-sted's Grammar School pupils aim to conquer Kluchevskaya Sopka, a remote peak in Russia.

Their venture will mean entering an area of the country only opened up for exploration ten years ago.

The 16,000ft volcano is on the Kamchatka peninsula in the extreme East of Russia. It is reputed to be in a continuous state of activity.

James, a geography student at Selwyn College, Cambridge University, said: "We have had mixed reports about eruptions.

"They seem to happen every three years, ranging from something like a puff of smoke to something more severe.

"There are seismic stations and we will be checking with them to see if there are any tremors. We know there's a risk but we will be careful."

The duo, both 19, will be part of a team of eight who will drive from the region's capital in a former military truck to reach the area.

"Then we will spend ten days trekking across country to the mountain and three days climbing it," said James."We will have to put up with altitude problems, although we don't expect the climb to be too technically difficult.

"But we will be taking ice axes and crampons."

James and Andrew, who is a geography student at Mansfield College, Oxford University, joined the team when the organisers were looking for extra members. They are the youngest in the group.

The expedition will be led by an experienced Russian guide through an area which has seen few tourists, but which the Russians are keen to open up to visitors.

During the Soviet era it was even closed to natives.

"We're getting excited now because the trip is almost on us," said James who, along with Andrew, has been in training climbing the peaks around Grassington near Skipton.

Andrew said: "James is a fell runner and I row for the college and have to do 12 sessions of training a week so we are fairly fit.

"And we've been jogging and trekking with rucksacks containing weights to build up our strength.

The pair will be setting off on Monday, July 22, and intend to spend some time in Moscow during the three-week trip.