Prince Harry Supports Wounded Soldiers' Attempt to Climb Mount Everest

USMagazine, Monday, August 27, 2012, 5:30pm (PDT)

Last year, they conquered the North Pole. This summer, Harry's Arctic Heroes, comprised of soldiers injured in Iraq and Afghanistan, took on an even greater challenge: Mount Everest.

Named after Prince Harry, who joined them for part of their journey to the North Pole, the group decided to tackle the 29,029 foot Himalayan peak. Though ultimately, the veterans (representing Walking With the Wounded) didn't make it to the summit, their charity's 27-year-old patron couldn't be prouder.

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Addressing the warmer weather the men faced during their dangerous climb -- which rendered their journey extra perilous -- Harry emphasized just how marvelous their feat was.

"The mere fact they are up there on that fearsome peak, I find totally amazing. Ladies and gentlemen, these people -- ours and yours -- are extraordinary," he said.

Prince William's younger brother spoke at the expedition's launch as well.

"To give yourself a challenge of such magnitude as climbing Everest is remarkable," Harry said at the event. "What these guys are proving is no matter what your injury, no matter whether you're military or civilian, you can overcome all sorts of illness, mental or physical."

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Added the Prince, "The importance to me of these guys and what they're doing and the fact that I'm able to support them by being their patron is huge, it's an opportunity I could never turn down."

Harry's Mountain Heroes, a documentary about the courageous soldiers who sought to tackle Everest, aired in the U.K. Monday evening on Britain's ITV1.

This article originally appeared on Usmagazine.com: Prince Harry Supports Wounded Soldiers' Attempt to Climb Mount Everest