Marines make polar trek

Published on 23/01/2007 01:01

A FOUR-strong Royal Marines team has become the first British military unit to complete a return journey to the South Pole.

The team, which included Craig Hunter, of Kilmarnock, spent 71 arduous days walking and skiing, unsupported by dogs or vehicles, to reach the geographic South Pole, and then made the return trek using kites to pull them.

Team leader Captain Sean Chapple, Major Paul Mattin, navy surgeon Lt-Cmdr Andy Brown and Marine Hunter - followed in the footsteps of Captain Robert Falcon Scott, in 1912, the last time British servicemen were involved in a trip to the South Pole.