Paralympic flames lit on UK mountains

LONDON – Climbers have scaled U.K. mountaintops to ignite the flames that will light the Paralympics torch.

Four groups of climbers, made up of disabled and non-disabled volunteers, climbed the highest peaks in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales on Wednesday.

On reaching the summits, they struck metal against rough steel to create sparks and ignite the flames which were then put in miners' lanterns and carried down on foot. The flames will visit the U.K.'s capital cities before uniting in a special ceremony in Stoke Mandeville.

At the end of the ceremony, the 24-hour overnight relay route will see the Paralympic Flame carried 92 miles (148 kilometers) to the Olympic Stadium to officially open the London 2012 Paralympic Games, which begin Aug. 29.