“We have met fear, and we have conquered it!”

A hard, two-week training camp was held for the chosen trekkers, who came from Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya. They were taught skills including rock-scrambling, how to climb and abseil using ropes, and how to use radio equipment.

The attempt to scale the mountain began on Monday 17 February. After climbing through the wet, dank rainforest, the trekkers made camp at 8,000 feet. The second began the ‘long haul’ up to the 15,000ft caves where the trekkers would spend the night.

On the third day, the company passed through dusty, rocky country, and as they ascended, the men were excited to experience snow and ice for the first time. But by now some were suffering from altitude sickness, sunburn and the bitter cold, and one trekker was forced to turn back.

That night, in the severe cold and with a lack of space, the men had to pile up on each other to stay warm. Setting off for their summit attempt at 3am on Thursday 20 February, they moved slowly and with difficulty, having to pull out the ice-axes to keep silently cutting steps through the snow.

Just after noon that day, after nine hours of clambering – the last 3,000ft against high winds and sub-zero temperatures – the remaining trekkers and their guides made it to the top.

As they struggled, exhausted, onto the summit, one of the guides shouted into the walkie-talkie: “This is a moment of glory!”

His words, picked up by radio, were the first broadcast made from the peak of the mountain.