Charity climbers tackle Kerry peak

A TEAM of mountains climbers were last night scaling Carrantuohill in the final leg of their bid to conquer the five highest peaks in Ireland and Britain inside 24 hours.

>"We're well within our schedule at the moment," Defence Forces officer Cathal Cregg said as the 11-strong group descended Slieve Donard, Co Down and prepared for a fast helicopter ride to tackle the Co Kerry mountain the crucial, final element of the Wrangler Five Peaks' Challenge.

"We're all going very well," said Cathal, 40, a lieutenant with the 19th FCA Battalion in Boyle, Co Roscommon, who has been climbing mountains for 15 years.

"But the weather turned against us on the top of Slieve Donard and we really felt it. We were dressed a bit light for the occasion, but we're back on course again."

The team aims to raise 70,000 which the Operation Rudolph 2002 charity will then donate to the Chernobyl Children's Project, the Alzheimer Society of Ireland and the 2003 Special Olympics.

Scotland's Ben Nevis proved a stiff opener as the climbers set off in darkness early yesterday morning, and all "went on our backsides at different times", according to PR consultant Ian McKeever.

Breakfast was consumed on the chopper hop to Skeffel Pike in England, where the schedule was soon nicely back on track before the Irish squad popped over to Wales and overcame Snowdon.

Last night, the group were playing down their chances of an outright world record for the five peaks. It stands at 19 hours and 52 minutes and is held by a group of five, all from Britain's Lake District.

People who wish to make a donation to Operation Rudolph can call freefone 1800 70 30 50.