HAMPSHIRE mountaineer Rhys Jones has confirmed his reputation as a world class adventurer by scaling four previously unclimbed mountains in the Arctic Circle.

The record-breaking climber did though fail in his attempt to climb the three highest peaks in the frozen north after an accident in which he fell into an icy crevasse and injured himself.

Now Rhys and two fellow climbers are preparing to fly back to Britain.

As reported in the Daily Echo, the group were heading for the Watkins Mountain Range in Greenland earlier this month when 21-year-old Rhys tumbled into the crevasse.

He was dragged deep below the surface after a snow ridge collapsed under the weight of his sledge. Although he was promptly rescued by his companions, he suffered injuries to his arm, shoulder and leg.

As Rhys nursed his injuries, the climbers had to abandon their attempt to scale the three highest mountains amid fears they would run out of time and supplies if they pressed on.

Rhys's father Alan said his son was badly bruised and battered in the accident, though would make a full recovery.

He added: "The swelling is down and the bruising has all gone, so in theory there's no lasting damage.

"However, the expedition opted to set up camp after the accident and take a few days out, which meant they didn't have time proceed with their original plan.

"They decided instead to tackle as many unclimbed peaks in the area as they could.

"The expedition was a success - but not in the way they planned. When climbing mountains you have to take a pragmatic approach and just do what you can."

Rhys, currently in Iceland, plans to return home to Bartley in the New Forest in the next few days.