A Buckinghamshire man will attempt to become the oldest man to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.
George Solt, who is 82 years old wants to conquer Africa’s highest peak in memory of his wife, Jen.
The money raised from the climb will go towards the hospice that looked after his wife in later life.
George told BBC Three Counties his wife was a former Olympic skier so he’s used to extreme sports: “I married into a mountaineering family.”
George will take on the challenge with experts and fellow climbers including his grandson.
To get the record George has to climb 5,895 metres.
He confesses he’s most looking forward to: ‘Getting all the way up and getting all the way back down again’.
He has been preparing for months, using weights, cycling hard and walking:
“I’ve been walking up and down the South Downs, which were specifically designed for people climbing Kilimanjaro.
“That was some 17 miles of up and down hills in six hours.
“I finished that without reasonable trouble. So that’s encouraging!”
George has been training with TA Sergeant, Ghandi Daykin who is confident George can complete the challenge:
“He’s done hill walking before, he’s a fit lad, he’s been active all his life, he’ll be alright, he will achieve it.”
George leaves the UK on 7 July 2010 and aims to reach Kilimanjaro’s peak on 14 July 2010.
Georgey – we went trekking together just before you went to Kili and I’m so proud to find out today that you did it – well done! x