Walking tall: Teenager Sam Richardson wants to return to duty despite his injuries Day Three Burned porridge for breakfast is an auspicious start. Although most of us are suffering aches and pains, the Army heroes are holding their own - we civilians are suffering the most. Never underestimate the fitness and stamina of the Armed Forces.

‘H’ is sharing a tent with Sam and his enthusiasm appears to be rubbing off as the teenager starts to come out of his shell - and consigns his false arm to his rucksack for the rest of the trip. Sam says: ‘I don’t think losing an arm has changed me, but other people think differently. ‘My parents have been fantastic. Dad was also in the Royal Engineers and he pushed me to go on this trip.’ Sam is always among the leading pack of climbers - despite bringing 180 cigarettes on the trip.

Being stuck in hospitals and other medical facilities for the past few months, this is the first opportunity he has had to prove his commitment to the Army. ‘If I was disabled I wouldn’t be walking up a mountain,’ he says. ‘I don’t want to leave the military and I hope this proves that I am not finished or just suitable for a desk job.’ But he is still bitter about the crash in which he lost his arm and that killed his friend Alana Francis, 17, of the Royal Logistic Corps.

‘The first thing I said when I woke up in hospital was, “Where is Alana?” ‘I will never get over her death. This climb is also a tribute to her memory.’ Day Four We’re now at 13,910ft and many of the group have pounding headaches or are feeling nauseous. Major Howell-Walmsley orders a handful to rest today in preparation for our final ascent. I am deemed fit enough to take the day’s challenge of exploring the choices of route for the last day.