Two team members may try again to reach the summit next week

Concern had been growing for the safety of the team after they had not been heard from for several days, but they reported early on Friday that they were safe.

They made contact to say they had failed to reach the summit because of poor weather.

However, expedition leader Richard Dougan and his colleague David Sharpe were told later that they needed urgent medical attention for frostbite on their hands and feet.

The team has now returned to a lower camp where they intend to remain for the next week.

Two other team members, Banjo Bannon and James McGuinness, may make an attempt to reach the summit in ten days' time.

Expedition spokesman David Malone who has been in touch with the team, said their attempt was admirable.

Poor weather

"They made contact to say they had failed to make the summit because of poor weather," he said.

The mountain will still be there, and God willing, I will get out to do it again some time Hannah Shields

"When you bear in mind that Everest is 8,800m to the summit, they got to 8,520 so they got 280m from the summit before weather finally drove them back."

On Thursday, Londonderry woman Hannah Shields failed in her attempt to reach the top.

The 37-year-old from Kilrea became exhausted less than 300 ft from the summit and had to return to Camp 4 with the aid of a sherpa.

"I have absolutely no qualms or regrets about turning around - my health and safety comes first," she said on Friday.

"I would like to see parents and family and all the rest - the mountain will still be there, and God willing, I will get out to do it again some time."

Liadain Slattery, spokesperson for the Irish Everest team, told BBC News Online that emotions were mixed, as two of the team's four climbers made it to the top and the other two did not.

Ms Slattery said she was "bitterly disappointed" for the two climbers who did not make it.

Atrocious weather conditions had hampered the whole expedition, she said.