About Cornwall

A 7,500m mountain in China is the challenge facing two dedicated skiers from South Devon.

BBC Spotlight presenter Carole Madge and her sister Suzy hope to reach the summit of Mustagata and then ski down again.

The pair have completed adventure races, skied and climbed mountains together and now their sights are set on the much greater prize - conquering Mustagata.

Only one other British woman has reached the summit of the mountain, and if they make it they'll be the first all female team to complete the climb and ski.

Specially adapted skis allow exponents to ski up and then down the mountain.

The skis have fabric skins attached to the bottom, which prevent the user slipping backwards during the ascent.

But the challenge doesn't come without risk. The team must be prepared for avalanches, frostbite, crevasses and high altitude sickness.

"We want to show people that you don't need an icicle encrusted beard to do this stuff," joked Suzy.

Suzy has previous mountaineering experience
"We are passionate skiers, who fell in love with skiing off-piste and just got more adventurous."

Carole's two young children, Bella, 7, and Juliet, 4, will follow her progress at school.

"It's far more remote and challenging than anything I've attempted before," said Carole.

"I'm expecting to feel completely exhausted by the experience, but exhilarated as well.

"Ski mountaineering is one of the few experiences where you get a reverse hangover. You get the headache first from the altitude and the exhilaration comes afterwards.

"I love the look of surprise on people's faces when I tell them what I am doing."

The two hope they will inspire others to follow in their footsteps. They will be setting out for Mustagata in July 2007 and the mountain should take three weeks to climb, summit and ski down.

Fortunately Suzy has previous experience to call on. She has has climbed Kilimanjaro, Aconcagua, Denali and Elbrus – the highest mountains in Africa, North and South America and Europe.