A 20-year-old St Andrews University student is hoping to become the youngest Briton to conquer the highest mountain on every continent.
Geordie Stewart, who is studying history and theology, is heading for the summit of Mount Everest.
At 8848 metres, Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world and among the most dangerous.
If successful, he will only have two peaks left to realise his ambition — Carstensz Pyramid, Papua New Guinea, Australasia, and Mount Vinson in Antarctica.
He plans to complete the seven summits with Mount Vinson at Christmas.
Geordie, who has the backing of his hero Bear Grylls and legendary explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes, will leave for Kathmandu early next month.
Geordie told The Courier, “Since the age of seventeen it has been my dream to become the youngest Briton to climb the real Seven Summits.
“To date I have climbed the highest in North and South America, Africa and Europe.
“Everest has been a dream of mine for many years and I will be attempting the Northeast ridge route on my way to the top of the world.”
Geordie will leave London on April 3 and hopes to reach the summit sometime between May 19 and 31.
During the six weeks he expects to spend on Everest’s slopes, he will celebrate his 21st birthday.
Geordie, who grew up in Hampshire, developed a love of hillwalking through the Scottish side of his family, his father a Banffshire man.
He hatched his Seven Summits dream after reading a book about his idol, adventurer Grylls.
Geordie, who is taking a year out to complete the challenge, has funded all of his climbs so far himself, coaching youngsters at football in his spare time to raise cash, and through sponsorship.
He is well prepared, having already conquered Denali, in North America, Aconcagua, in South America, and Mount Elbrus, in Russia. He reached the peak of Kilimanjaro on his 19th birthday.
Geordie is also fund-raising for Help for Heroes which aids wounded servicemen.