On Sunday 18 May at 8pm, Channel 4 are showing a docu-drama called Ascent of Mars Mountain. The programme is "a unique experiment to try to simulate the experience of climbing the highest known mountain in the universe - Olympus Mons on Mars". Bearded bard, Brian Blessed leads a five-strong team of climbers and scientists. The team includes pin-up French Alpinist, Catherine Destivelle and Steve Bell, Director of UK mountaineering company (and a sponsor of UKClimbing.com), Jagged Globe.

The team travel to Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean to try out their specially designed space suits for the climb, which apparently includes one tricky pitch of VS on loose rock. Blessed reluctantly handed over the lead to Destivelle on this section.