With minimal high altitude experience prior to this expedition I managed to summit Aconcagua, the highest mountain in South America and the Southern Hemisphere standing at 6962 metres in February 2008, at the age of 18.

Having never been close to the altitude of Aconcagua before, it was a big gamble, but thankfully a successful one. I was in a team of seven others and became one of the youngest Britons ever to summit the mountain. Spending over two weeks in a tent with limited resources was a shock to the lifestyle I had become accustomed to but only furthered my interest in mountaineering.
Unsurprisingly there were highs and lows on the expedition but after a long summit day that was both mentally and physically tiring I managed to make the summit.
Aconcagua is the second highest of the Seven Summits and after my successful attempt it only increased my desire and determination to pursue my goal.