A group of New Zealand climbers has wined and dined its way into the Guinness Book of Records by successfully staging the world's highest three-course dinner party.
Wearing formal dresses and tuxedos, five Kiwis and a sixth climber, whose identity was unknown, yesterday dined almost 7km above sea level on theicy summit of Mt Aconacagua in Argentina.
Expedition leader Craig Crosse spoke by satellite phone late yesterday to those monitoring their progress in New Zealand.
"We are absolutely stoked to have achieved this climb," he was reported to have said.
"We had a few hitches along the way with team members being sick and we had to contend with rather cold and windy conditions, so it was an excellent effort by the whole team."
To break the previous record, set by a group of Australian climbers in Peru 13 years ago, at least six people had to have a formal, three-course party without any outside assistance.
A lightweight table and chairs had to be hauled up the mountain, along with a sumptuous menu of smoked New Zealand mussels, lamb fettuccine and strawberries and ice-cream.
Minus-30-degree weather forced the group to abort a similar attempt on the record last year and a bout of food poisoning looked set to derail them this time.
But a close friend of Turangi climber Kathryn Burtenshaw said the "challenge junkies" were determined to make it.
"It was make or break this time," Lisa Hislop said.
"They were really focused on getting it done and they considered it a great life experience."
Miss Hislop said the group would have had just half an hour to set up and enjoy the dinner party before having to descend.
"At that altitude you're working so slowly you've really only got a quarter of a brain.
"For some people it's almost like a drunkenness. You're slurring and dizzy, so that's why it's important for them to be experienced and fit."
The recordholders are expected to arrive back in Auckland from South America on February 14.
