Soldiers recently back from Afghanistan have travelled to the Andes in an attempt to reach the summit of Peru’s highest mountain.

Saffron Walden Reporter: Captain Damian Warren and Sapper Christopher Wagstaff will be travelling to PeruCaptain Damian Warren and Sapper Christopher Wagstaff will be travelling to Peru (Image: Archant)

The 12-strong team from 101 (City of London) Engineer Regiment (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), based at Carver Barracks, left for the expedition to recuperate after the six-month tour.

They are no strangers to danger. The 101 eng reg is one of only two bomb disposal and search regiments within the Army that support those that are deployed on operations.

Previous to the expedition they have been conducting their painstaking and highly dangerous role of searching for, and neutralising, improvised explosive devices in Afghanistan.

As well as attempting to reach the 6,746m summit of Huascaran, the expedition will involve challenging environments. It will move from paths and valleys onto hostile, glacial landscapes, where the team will start to wear specialised protective equipment.

Team member Sapper Jordan McDonagh, 26, said: “I am really looking to challenging myself. I always wanted to go on an expedition and the Army has provided me with this.

“It is an opportunity to enhance my leadership skills and to push myself physically and mentally into the unknown.”

The expedition will also provide new cultural experiences, with initial stages involving travel through local villages and eating local

food. Some of the remote locations will be hours, sometimes days, from the nearest road.

Corporal James A’Hara, 29, added: “The knowledge and experience I gain from taking part will enhance my own skills and help prepare me for future Army operations.

“It is also a chance to do something completely different and very rewarding after a tough tour in Afghanistan.”

The team set off yesterday (Wednesday) and are scheduled to return on May 23.