Stuart climbs Everest a third time

A FORMER Warrington man has become the first Briton to climb Mount Everest by the notorious North Ridge route THREE TIMES.
Former Penketh High School pupil Stuart Peacock led a team of five Britons and six Sherpas to the 8,848m summit, taking advantage of a “short weather window.”
He is now back home in the Lake District where he now lives with his wife, Kelly, who formerly lived in Great Sankey.
He said: : “It was a nice day. The weather was perfect and it was good to be back on top.”
A number of other team members, including the 33-year-old former England rugby player Josh Lewsey, failed to reach the summit.
The team had to battle against winds of more than 50mph on the North Ridge to reach a height of 7,800m to be ready for the short weather window.
Rugby star Josh Lewsey had to make an emergency descent from 8,700m because damage to his breathing apparatus meant it could not give him enough oxygen.
Stuart got an early taste for climbing when a member of the 28th Warrington Scouts, based at Latham Hall, Penketh and later when he climbed as part of his Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programme at school.
Years later, when he lost his job as an electronic technician, he decided to sell his house to fund his first ascent of Everest in 2002 and then, after tackling some of the world’s most challenging mountains he obtained a job as a mountain expedition leader.
By the time he climbed Everest a second time, in 2006, he had also climbed Kanchenjunga (8,586m) and Cho Oyu (8,188m).
He said: “I had always dreamed of getting a job in climbing. It’s like a dream come true – getting paid for doing what I love most.”
Stuart’s Mum, Mrs Mavis Peacock said: “I am so proud of him, but I always worry when he is climbing any mountain. I am not happy until he is back home.”
Warrington has another Everest conqueror. Matthew Holt, formerly of Appleton, climbed the mountain several years ago.
Pictured: Stuart Peacock on top of the world.