Woman's Everest attempt delayed

REBECCA STEPHENS'S attempt to become the first British woman to reach the summit of Everest has been delayed until Monday, a spokesman for the DHL Everest 40 expedition said yesterday.

The Briton, Harry Taylor, 33, safely descended to advance base camp yesterday after becoming the first man to make an ascent of the 29,000ft (8,787m) peak without oxygen from the Nepalese side. He had spent three nights above 23,000ft (6,969m) without oxygen.

Ms Stephens, a 31-year-old journalist from London, will be joined in her attempt by John Barry, 46, and Dave Halton, 32. All three will be using oxygen.