FOUR pals from the Amman Valley have returned from a gruelling climb to the summit of Europe’s highest mountain.

Spencer Cotton, Carwyn Templeton, Rhodri Morgan and Dave Bamba started their ascent of Mont Blanc in the French Alps on September 5, reaching the summit the following day after a punishing 4,810m climb.

In the lead-up to the climb, the group ran twice a week, pounding the whole route of Llyn a Fan Fawr Mountains.

“Training was tough, but nothing can prepare you for the altitude on Mont Blanc,” said Spencer.

“There were a few moments when we thought we weren’t going to make it, but after a night’s stay at the camp, we set off the next day and finally made the summit that afternoon,” added the 41-year-old.

“It was an amazing feeling.”

The expedition was not the first trek that the team have tackled. Spencer – a former Amman Valley schoolboy now living in Carmel – took on the Atlas Mountain in Morocco early this year, while his old school friend, Sgt Carwyn Templeton, from Pontaman, climbed Mont Blanc last year raising money for assault victim Paul Pugh – from a group of seven only two made it to the summit.

“This time around we just did it for a bit of fun – we are a group of old friends who enjoy climbing and taking on the challenge, said Carwyn.

“Having climbed it last year, I had knowledge of the routes and was able to give some guidance on the way up. However, that doesn’t mean it was any easier – it was still really tough.”

“My cousin Tom Davies, from Garnant who was part of the group of seven from last year’s trek, went back last weekend with his mate Jack Blackmore to tackle the mountain again, said Carwyn.

“Tom spent more time on the mountain this time and was ecstatic to make it to the summit on Saturday morning,” he added.

Spencer’s mum Mary Cotton, who got in touch with the Guardian, said: “I’m so proud of my son and the rest of the group.

“They deserve recognition.”