The Bolton School expedition's e-mail picture of their summit success on 15,200ft Dunduchen La. They had only four hours of electricity last week for their computer and communications equipment

A TEAM of adventurers from Bolton School sending hi-tech "postcards" back from their expedition in the Himalayas have had their messages cut short -- by a lack of electricity.

As reported in the BEN, the team from the Bolton School Outdoor Pursuits department have taken a range of computer and communications equipment with them in a bid to send regular updates from their climbing trip via the internet.

And they have managed to send a range of pictures and words back via a laptop computer and satellite telephone to their website, so friends and family back home can monitor their progress.

But they have had to limit their information because they only have four hours of electricity available each week.

In their diary report on the website, expedition spokesman Mike Evans said: "It was quite surreal to watch the sunrise whilst eating our toast, before piling into a minibus for a crazy ride across the desert passing many lorries and army barracks to Lamuyaru where we met our trekking team.

"We packed up our 11 horses beneath a spectacular Gompa and headed off on what was day one of our five-day acclimatisation trek, one of the most important parts of the trip.

"Our first camp and taste of what our chef had to offer came at the end of a short walk to the village of Wanala.

"The next morning came with a wake-up call and cup of tea at 6am as our two cooks prepared a spectacular breakfast. The rest of the trek was quite eventful with plenty of huffing an puffing and plentiful meals.

"Due to us nearing the end of our four hours of electricity for the week we cannot give you much more detail than this but as soon as we get more power we will continue our tale.

"We are currently in Leh making preparations for our summit attempt and at the very least we intend to post a summit photo from the mountain. Hope all is well for those of you following our progress back there in Blighty."

The team has sent a photograph by e-mail to the BEN showing them at the top of Dunduchen La, which has an altitude of 15,200ft.

Good luck messages can be sent to the team via e-mail to: bsopexpeditions@lineone.net.

Their website can be viewed at www.bsop.org.uk