Since it was first climbed in 1913, Mount McKinley has claimed the lives of one in every 200 climbers that have attempted to reach its summit. But its fierce reputation failed to deter eight British soldiers who set out scale it in 1998.
On the morning of 16 June 1998, the team set off on the short sprint to the summit from High Camp at 5000 ft. The plan was to return to that evening. Because it was just a short trip up, the team chose to carry no radio, only a little food and no shelter.
Following a series of accidents, two men were left marooned on a ledge near the summit. Fierce weather hampered rescue efforts while they began to succumb to the cold.
After two nights, conditions were right for an extraction attempt. Against the odds, rescue pilot Hood lifted them off the ledge and returned to base.
After three days they were finally safe. Thanks to the bravery of Jim Hood the entire British Army expedition had survived.
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