A 37-year-old Co Wicklow man has broken the world record for reaching the top of the seven highest mountains on each continent.
Ian McKeever from Bray reached the summit of Denali Mount McKinley at 8am (11.10pm Alaskan time) on 30 June.
His world record achievement was completed in 154 days; it was previously held by a Canadian, Daniel Griffith, set last year when he completed it in 187 days.
Speaking by satellite, Mr McKeever said the weather was horrendous and it took him three attempts to summit.
'I feel very proud to be Irish at the moment and I feel great. I can't believe I've finally done it', he said.
The mountains he conquered include Mount Vinson in Antarctica, Aconcagua in Argentina, Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Carstensz Pyramid in Indonesia, Everest in Nepal and Elbrus in Russia.
Phoning from camp at 14,000ft, he said it had taken him almost 12 hours to descend from the summit.
He is expected to reach Ankara early Tuesday morning and will return to Dublin later in the week.
The challenge was undertaken to raise funds for The Irish Osteoporosis Society and Sophia Housing and it is anticipated that the expedition will raise a total of €140,000.
Next stop is Australia, where Mr McKeever will tackle Snowy Mountain.
