George Atkinson from Surbiton, England has become the youngest person to climb the highest peaks in all continents.He reached the top in the early hours of Thursday, May 26, after leaving his family and setting out on the trip on April 2.
His new climbing world record covers Everest, Vincent, Elbrus, Castenz Pyramid, Aconcagua, Denali, and Kilimanjaro.
He replaces 17-year-old record holder Johnny Collinson, from Utah, who completed the Seven Summit Challenge in January 2010.
Mr Atkinson got his first glimpse of Everest on April 6, when he said: “It's huge it really is. The summit of the mountain kind of looks like a pyramid made of rock and snow.”
Since then, the teenager has battled the elements, altitude sickness, fatigue and a suspected urinary infection to reach the top of the 8,848 metre mountain – in time for his 17th birthday on Sunday.
Conditions are so bad in what is known as Everest’s death zone - 8,000m and above – that most corpses stay where they fall and some are visible from climbing routes, so his mum Penny, 45, was relieved to hear he had reached the top.
She said: “So many things can go wrong during that final push that you just can't guarantee what the outcome will be, then in the early hours we heard that he had made it.
“We were so, so happy but it is tinged with worry because you know they still have to make the descent and that can be more dangerous.
"I cried a lot now that the tension was broken but neither Mark or I will really relax until George is back down at Basecamp on Friday night.
"We are so proud of George. He has always worked so hard to achieve his goals and deserves this record.
Mr Atkinson’s first achievement came at just 11, when he climbed Mount Kilmanjaro - insisting the guide take him to the summit when he advised him to stop.
He completed the Kilimanjaro climb with his dad Mark, 51, after a talk in school inspired him.
They then did Elbrus together after seeing an advert, and it seemed logical to go on to do the continents' five other highest peaks.But he soon outgrew his dad, and went solo after the first four mountains.
Mrs Atkinson said: ““He has had to overcome some major hurdles in confidence to get to the top of these mountains.
"This has meant having to mature quickly and take criticism when it is warranted. He is a very special young man. We can't wait to see him again.”Mr Atkinson’s trip was raising funds for Chase.
Visit virginmoneygiving.com and search George Atkinson to boost his cause.
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