A British special forces team has rescued an Italian climber stranded on Cho Oyu, the world's sixth highest mountain.

The five-man team of climbers from the SAS, SBS and the TA unit 23 SAS were climbing in the Himalaya, in preparation for an ascent of Everest, when they came across Roberto Marabotto, an experienced mountaineer and instructor at 23,950 feet.  He was suffering from acute mountain sickness, had not eaten for three days, and was unable to move.  His two colleagues had been forced to descend a few days earlier after falling ill.

In contrast to recent news stories depicting mountaineers passing dying climbers whilst making summit bids, the soldiers spent two days evacuating Marabotto down the mountain.  "These boys gave a big demonstration of the real Alpinistic spirit," said Marabotto.

The British team is attempting to climb the Seven Summits - the highest mountain on every continent.  They have already climbed Elbrus (Europe), Denali (North America), Aconcagua (South America) and Kilimanjaro (Africa).  They are undertaking the climbing challenge in between tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan.

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