A RIDDLESDEN army cadet has followed in the footsteps of famous Scottish explorer Sir Alexander Mackenzie and completed a gruelling trek in the Rocky Mountains.

James Lewis was among 13 cadets from across the region chosen to take part in the three-week expedition, through the West Coast Mountains of British Columbia in Canada.

They were following the final section of the Mackenzie trail, which is rarely used because of its challenging nature.

The cadets, who were accompanied by seven instructors, carried all their own equipment and food.

During the first phase the team reached the summit of Mount Mackenzie, encountering everything from rivers and bogs to alpine meadows and scree slopes en route.

Members were then flown to Ptarmigan Lake, at an altitude of about 1,600 metres, for further mountain treks, a visit to the foot of a glacier and canoeing.

James, 18, said: "Trekking across the wilderness was an incredible experience, but a huge challenge.

"It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity which I’ll never forget.

"The trails we followed in places are not often used as it’s considered too tough for most trekkers and in fact we only met five other people in the mountains during the entire trek!”

James went through a rigorous assessment process to be selected for the venture and had to raise £1,200 to fund the trip, which was subsidised by the Yorkshire Cadet Trust.

Expedition leader Colonel David Fuller, of Headquarters 15 (North East) Brigade based in York, said: “The cadets and adults rose to the challenges they met, including coping with heavy packs, high temperatures and the ever present irritation of mosquitoes and horse flies.

"The scenery needed to be seen to be believed.

"This was the first time we’d mounted an expedition in Canada, and we were delighted to offer everyone opportunities to develop skills and overcome challenges that they would otherwise never get to experience."