After joining the Royal Air Force Colin joined the Royal Air Force Mountaineering Association, climbing in all areas of the UK and undertaking regular climbing expeditions to the French and Swiss Alps.

Colin has a long association with the Himalayas, his first experience coming in 1990 as a member of an RAF-Indian Air Force expedition to Kamet (7756m) in the Garhwal region of India. Expeditions to Tilicho Peak (7134m) and Ama Dablam (6812m) followed before he was selected for a Joint Services Expedition to climb the SW Face of Kangchenjunga (8586m) in 2000.

In 2004 he led the British Services Expedition to Makalu (8463m), returning in 2008 for a further attempt on the South East Ridge. He is a member of the Alpine Club and was awarded the MBE in 2005.

Dick has been climbing since he got his first pair of climbing boots and chalk bag in his early teens.

In 1988, shortly before Dick joined the Army, he went to Chile for 3 months with an Operation Raleigh expedition, where he climbed in the Chilean Lake District and had an introduction to glacier training and ice work on the South Patagonian ice cap.

Dick has organised and run climbing and mountaineering expeditions all over the world, including Royal Engineers expeditions to Alaska (Denali) and the Nepalese Himalaya (Satopanth 7075m). He has significant experience of the challenges presented by the 8000m peaks having been a member of the Army Everest (West Ridge) team in 2006 and the climbing leader for the Makalu (South East Ridge) expedition in 2008.

Makalu will be Phyl's third expedition to the Himalayas. Previous expeditions include Satopanth (7075m) with the Royal Engineers in 2005 and with the Everest West Ridge Dev Team on Lhakpa Ri (7050m) in 2006.

Outside of the Himalaya, Phyl has climbed in North and South America, the Southern Alps of New Zealand and the European Alps. In 2008 he took part in an expedition to ski across Greenland, retracing the route of the original crossing by Fridtjof Nansen in the 1888. Making full use of modern equipment his team were able to break the 120 year-old record by making the crossing in 27 days, some 16 shorter than the original.

Phyl moved services last year from the Royal Engineers to the RAF to become a medical officer. He is now in his third year studying medicine at Sheffield.

Paul took a degree in Oceanology and meteorology at Plymouth where he learned to Sea Kayak, Dive, Climb, Surf and Sail.

He subsequently joined the Army as a Sapper but after selection for Officer Training at Sandhurst, he managed to pass Aircrew Selection and joined the Navy as an engineer.

Paul was part of two Army expeditions to make the first unsupported sea kayak expedition around the outside coastline of Alaska. He has climbed extensively in the Alps and has a number of ascents in the Himalayas under his belt. In 1997 he was part of the British Services Team to summit on Mt Gimmigela and in 1994 he was part of the first British Team on Mt Shigri Parbat.

Paul regularly rides the Cresta run in St. Moritz in Switzerland, combining this activity with ski-mountaineering and ice-climbing. Paul is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and continues to seek adventure and opportunities to go the world's high and remote places.

Ben was part of the high altitude development team in 2008. Then the objective was to climb Pethangtse.

As part of the 2010 Makalu climbing team Ben will be making the step up to the big 8000m peaks.

Rob has been active in the mountains for the last 20 years. He followed the usual progression from Scottish Winter climbing to the Alps and then Greater Ranges, before venturing to Antarctica.

A good part of his last decade has been spent in tents in far-flung locations. In addition to Army Mountaineering Association trips to the Alps, New Zealand, Canada and Alaska he has climbed in Bolivia, Mexico, Patagonia, Pakistan, Argentina, Tanzania, Russia and Antarctica.

Well used to braving extreme cold, he has spent seven summer seasons and one winter living and working in Antarctica as a mountaineer for British Antarctic Survey.

Originally from Leicester, Simon now lives in North Devon and works with the Royal Marines Commando Logistic Regiment.

Simon is a world class swimmer and has represented the Royal Navy on numerous occasions most recently at the World Masters Games in Sydney Australia where he won 2 Gold, 1 Silver and 1 Bronze medal. He has completed 2 London marathons and the Olympic distance London triathlon. While still at school he played for Leicestershire U16 Rugby team.

Simon graduated from Sheffield University in 2005 and worked in Sheffield for 2 years as junior doctor. He joined the Navy in 2002 and in June 2009 successfully completed the All Arms Commando Course and was posted to Commando Logistics Regiment in North Devon and subsequently deployed to Norway.

Simon joined the team only 6 weeks prior to departure and this will be his first venture into a high altitude environment. He is making sure that the rest of the team remain fully fit to give them the best chance of successfully summiting. He is also heavily involved in the logistics of getting all the relevant kit up and down the mountain.

Simon's aim is to be part of many more expeditions around the globe in an effort to visit every country in the world.

Steve has been a Royal Marine for 22 years. He worked within 40 CDO RM conducting exercises all over the world including the Mediterranean, Brunei, Malaysia and Norway.

Steve Joined Reconnaissance Troop in 1991 where his interest in climbing and mountaineering began climbing Snowdon, Ben Nevis and peaks in Norway, Jordan, Romania (Carpathians), Bavaria and Iceland.

Steve was also a part of the successful Icelandic 500 1995 Team, which was the first ever Ski crossing from the West to East coast of Iceland. The raised money for the International Spinal Research Trust (ISRT) patronised by the late HRH Princess Diana. Steve had the privilege of meeting her at Kensington Palace!

Steve has continued throughout his career to be highly involved in Military Arctic Deployments. He has worked closely with Royal Marines Mountain Leaders and the Norwegian Military. Steve is also a Military Ski Teacher within the Royal Marines, and specializes in arctic survival.