A dramatic attempt to climb to the summit of the world’s highest mountain was announced on 4^th February 2003 by Admiral Sir Jonathon Band KCB, Commander-in-Chief Fleet.  A team of ten climbers and three support managers from the Royal Navy and Royal Marines (RN.RM) will mount the expedition to conquer Everest in April 2003, using one of the most technically challenging routes.  Once at the top, the climbers will attempt a ‘world first’ by broadcasting live footage from Everest’s summit. 

 The two-month expedition will see the climbers endeavouring to reach the summit via the North Col and North East Ridge, one of the steepest and most technically demanding routes.  The climb will be the RN/RM’s first attempt, and will coincide with the 50^th anniversary of the first ascent of Everest by Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing. 

 In addition, there will be three support treks from Kathmandu (Nepal) to the Tibetan Everest Base Camp (5,200m), involving 54 servicemen and women selected from all ranks, units and trades across the RN and RM.  Each trek will comprise a 16-day, less specialised venture, conducted with Nepalese Sherpa and yak support throughout.  The teams will provide logistic re-supply to Base Camp and conduct environmental projects to remove rubbish and waste left on the mountain by previous expeditions.

 The expedition has been made possible with the support of a number of private sector organisations, including Paradigm Services, which is soon to become the service delivery company for the UK MOD’s Skynet 5 programme.  Paradigm Services is one of the main financial sponsors and, with its partners Stratos and General Dynamics, is loaning the commercial satellite communications equipment which will contribute to the expedition party sending live footage from the very top of Everest to the world.

Footage received at Base Camp will be transmitted to the outside world and international media using Paradigm Services’ links provided by the Stratos Regional BGan system and using General Dynamics’ Iridium network.   In addition, support trek team members will be using Paradigm’s welfare communications service, currently provided to UK troops on MOD-defined ‘entitled operations’ overseas, to keep their loved ones informed from Base Camp as the expeditions progress. 

For further information about the expedition please contact: Lieutenant Fiona Shepherd RN, PR & Media Manager, RN&RM ENR 03, J4 PJHQ, Northwood HQ, Sandy Lane, Northwood, Middlesex, HA6 3HP.  Tel: 01923 846611 or 07970 047121.  E-mail: or click on: rneverestnorthridge2003.com.

For further information about Paradigm Services please contact Mary Walmsley on 01438 774419 or on 07887 826265 or via