The project, called Sky High, has taken over six years of planning and has taken the team to the Swiss Alps, Alaska and Tibet. Leaders, fellow members of Hampshire Scouting Expeditions and the Chief Scout, Peter Duncan, were at their leaving ceremony on 23 March to wish the team a safe and successful adventure. After some emotional farewells, the team re-weighed and checked the large quantities of equipment they will be transporting to Everest.

Asked for his final thoughts and feelings before departure, Sky High base camp team member Jeremy White said: “The odd thing is that you don’t have much time to get excited. Everyone asks you if you’re getting excited and feels disappointed when you say you aren’t, not yet, because all the preparation doesn’t leave much time free for excitement. You’re concentrating too much on work, family, friends and packing. So when can we start to feel some excitement? Probably when the airline has all our equipment and we’ve time to wonder whether it will turn up in the same airport as us!”

After a day of travelling, with lots of queuing for security checks and waiting around for flights, the team finally touched down in Kathmandu. The team, and their equipment, had arrived.

Even though the next two days were Nepalese public holidays, the government minister in charge of issuing, and also denying, Everest Climbing Permits agreed to come to work. This was good news for them but bad news for his staff, as they also had to come to work for the two hours it took to issue the permit.

Having got the official rubber stamp, along with the 150-page book of regulations for Everest bids, the team are now about to start acclimatisating. This is essential if they are to achieve their dream of reaching the top. The team will attempt several smaller peaks, including Imja Tse, before moving on to Everest Base Camp to start their summit attempt.

The Chief Scout has also flown to Nepal to film them as they attempt the smaller peaks. He said: ‘I am very excited to be part of this historic challenge that showcases everything great about Scouting – opportunities for adventure, travel and friendship made possible by the incredible commitment and dedication of our volunteers.’

You can find out more information and follow the team’s progress at: http://www.scoutsoneverest.org.uk/