Dubai-based Everest climber reaches Everest summit

Dubai: He's done it!

Dubai-based adventurer Adrian Hayes achieved his life's ambition yesterday and reached the summit of Mount Everest. The 46-year-old Briton stood on top of the world at 7.20am UAE time following a gruelling overnight climb. His wife Dawn and children Alexander, and Charlotte are now celebrating his success at their home in Umm Suqeim.

The adventurous Dubai resident stood on top of Everest on Thursday morning, according to an email sent to friends and colleagues.

On Wednesday he told Gulf News by satellite phone that he was confident his bid to tame the 8,850-metre peak would prove successful.

He spoke to Gulf News just a few hours before his team was scheduled to leave their 7,900-metre camp for an overnight 12-hour climb to the summit.

Great chance

"The weather is good. The adrenaline is flowing and it's go, go, go. I have a lot of confidence and I feel we have a great chance of getting it.

"It's a very steep climb of about six hours up to a place called The Balcony and then it's precarious ridge lines after that. We aim to be on the summit about 7am [5am Dubai time]," he said.

Hayes, a former officer with the British Army who works for Airbus, said his group was planning to spend about 45 minutes on the summit.

"It will be nice to spend some time there and savour the experience because it won't be repeated.

"The weather forecast is quite good with very light winds and if the sun comes up we should be able to stay at the summit a little longer," he said.

Hayes is being cheered on from afar by his wife Dawn and his two children, who are aged five and seven. His mission is sponsored by Rolls-Royce PLC and Shell.

He is accompanied by four other climbers plus five Sherpa guides and their expedition is organised by adventure company Ice 8000.

His ambitious attempt to conquer the world's highest peak comes just days after a fellow UAE-based climber, Palestinian Ali Bushnaq, had to abandon his attempt to climb Everest after developing pneumonia.

Ali and Adrian have kept up a friendly rivalry over the years, having often competed against one another in triathlons.