Before they began

[Bassim]

Please, would you take a look at these sentences and correct them:

1.Before they began the ascent, the mountaineers had checked-up carefully their equipment.
2.Before beginning the ascent , the mountaineers had checked-up carefully their equipment.

 

[5jj]

Please, would you take a look at these sentences and correct them:

1.Before they began the ascent, the mountaineers had checked-up carefully their equipment.
2.Before beginning the ascent , the mountaineers had checked-up carefully their equipment.

Both initial clauses are fine. Omit '-up' in the second. I would put 'carefully' before 'checked' or at the end.

The past perfect 'had checked' is OK, but the past simple would be fine.