The Olympic flame has reached the top of the world highest peak earlier this morning

The 19 member crew of the “Assault Team” which includes seven backup climbers, left Assault Camp at 2:00 am (1800 GMT) Thursday hoping to reach it before dawn

Ethnic Han Chinese and Tibetan members which also included university students was part of the team and is captained by a Tibetan, Nyima Cering

Illustration via Xinhua

The team broke camp at 27,390 feet (8,300 meters) for four hours and finally reached the 8,850 metre mountain six hours later

At the top of the peak, the climbers huddled together and passed the torch among themselves, repeating the slogan for the Olympics

A specially designed torch was built to withstand the strong winds. Brought along was Chinese and Olympic flags

photo via Xinhua

Such inspiring images hope to make ammends on the damaging publicity that the Olympic Torch relay has brought so far

Now the flame is descending Everest and will begin its continuing journey across every region and provinces of China

It will return to Beijing on August 6th, just two days before the official opening ceremony for the games

Following are the members of the Attack Team of climbers carrying the Beijing Olympic flame:

Captain:

1. Nyima Cering

Deputy Captain:

2. Luo Shen

Members:

3. Dagguang
4. Gegyi
5. Cering Wangmo
6. Li Fuqing
7. Huang Chungui
8. Yuan Fudong
9. Norbu Zhamdu
10. Ngawang Chagxi
11. Chagxi Cering
12. Purbu ToinzhubEnditem