A Barrovian, well known for taking on harsh mountains and challenging climbs, has embarked on his latest journey.

Mountaineer Ben Wright, has set off on a 30-day expedition to Nepal where he will take on the dizzy Himalayan heights.

Ben plans to ascend Ama Dablam, which is regarded as one of the hardest mountains in the world to climb.

This monstrous peak stands 6,812 metres tall and is known for being extremely technical - climbers have to navigate camps that hang off the side of cliff faces and cope with freezing conditions. At night the temperature can drop well below zero and is forecast to reach almost -20°C in the next week.

Previously, Ben has taken on Lobuche in Nepal, as well as the Munros in Scotland, the Welsh 3000s and the Lake District Wainwrights.

He has also completed a European expedition to France and Italy where he journeyed into the Alps and climbed over 4,000m to the top of Gran Paradiso.

In preparation, Ben has been training at the Transformation Unit247 gym in Barrow and with personal trainer Luke Haberfield from Powered by Peak.

Luke said Ben came to Powered by Peak ten weeks ago wanting to work on his strength and conditioning.

They created an eight-week programme designed to improve the techniques and muscles Ben will use as he ascends and descends from the mountain range.

Luke designed a workout that centred around mountaineering and aimed to improve Ben’s knee and hip stability to prevent injury.

Training began with a 50 minute step test, which saw Ben hopping up and down from a box with a 20kg pack on his back to simulate carrying kit in the Himalayas. When Ben repeated the step test a day before he left the country, he saw an improvement of 25%.

Luke said: “We added weights and unilateral movements, exercising one side of his body at a time to target the muscles and weak spots to improve his confidence.

“We wish him luck, it looks great out there. Ben absolutely smashed the programme and we’ll see him when he comes back.”

After flying from Manchester to Nepal on Monday April 8, Ben got a helicopter to Lukla before trekking to a small village called Phakding. From here, the climb began.

Ben has already reached Namche Bazaar at 3,440m and is currently on his way to the base camp for Ama Dablam.

Kade Kendall, the owner of Transformation Unit247, said it was a pleasure to have Ben as a member.

“The expedition has required rigorous training for months including using our gym combined with an altitude machine to simulate the low oxygen levels you experience at high altitudes," said Kade.

“This is a monumental challenge of fitness and mental strength, and we look forward to carrying on supporting him.”