Royal Marines from Angus are braving all the challenges of the Arctic in an epic green beret adventure.
The Royal Marines 1664 Challenge marks the 350th anniversary of the corps and will see personnel ski, sail, cycle and run thousands of kilometres to a major celebration in London this summer.
The event began more than 400 kilometres north of the Norwegian Arctic circle when a team of 19 skiers set out to travel 1,664km across the frozen north from Porsangermoen to Stavanger.
Over the duration of the challenge some 2,000 marines will take part in total, but 19-year-old Marine Tom Barker from 45 Commando, based at Condor on the outskirts of Arbroath, is one of just six men drawn from the main units of the elite force who will tackle the entire journey.
So far, the ski leg of the challenge is going to plan, ahead of a 1,664-mile voyage from Stavanger to Cadiz in Spain.
From there, more marines will cycle 1,664km north to the English Channel before crossing back to Portsmouth.
Yet more marines will then join their colleagues to run 1,664km across England, Scotland and Wales, with the six-strong core team aiming to cross the line of a Royal Marines Corps celebration marathon in London on July 25.
The Royal Marines 1664 Challenge was the brainchild of Lieutenant Colonel Gary Green RM, who is overseeing the event.
He said: “The challenge is massively ambitious but that is what being a Royal Marine is all about to go that extra mile, to achieve the extraordinary.
“The guys taking part are all highly skilled and exceptionally fit.
“Throughout the challenge they will be displaying true commando spirit and a determination to succeed,” he added.
The event aims to raise £500,000 for the Royal Marines Charitable Trust Fund, the main charity supporting Royal Marines.
The ski leg of the challenge began last week and team members are using social media to keep others updated on their progress in relatively good conditions.
Morale among the group is high as they ski a marathon a day, consuming more than 5,000 calories a day just to keep their bodies going.
Major Jon Clare RM, who is overseeing the ski challenge said: “Weather is going to be a major factor in this challenge.
“It will affect our timings and the risks we face. But all of our skiers have been in Norway for a few weeks undergoing training and we are ready for just about any challenge.”
Full details of the Royal Marines 1664 Challenge can be found at www.1664challenge.co.uk.