A young man with a head for heights, at only 22 years old Elliot Woodhams has climbed the highest mountain peak outside the Himalayas - and raised over £400 for the IRHH in the process. Elliott has been fundraising for the IRHH since he was at school in Tring. Now enjoying a gap year after university before going to Sandhurst, he decided to tackle Aconcagua whilst travelling in South America.

	The scary peak, stands at 6,962m in the Mendoza region of Argentina, South America and comes with some horrific statistics: so far this year, the mountain has claimed the lives of 12 climbers, not to mention many others who have been injured or suffered severe frost-bite.

Aconcagua takes an incredible 23 days to climb and is a real challenge - even the trip to the base camp is by donkey. Elliot made his climb in February and was the youngest in the group by 6 years. He said "When we started out from the base camp the temperature was over 35°C, but once we hit about 5,500 metres it just got colder and colder. And by the time we were at the top it was about -25°C, the wind was nearly plucking us off the slope and we couldn't see a thing because of a white-out. There was so much static electricity in the air, you could feel it hitting your head!"

Not that any of this seems to bother Elliot. "Next, I'll do the 'Three Peaks Challenge', and then I want a chance to climb Everest. That's the big one."

Given that the Three Peaks Challenge involves climbing Ben Nevis (in Scotland), Scafel Pike (in the Lake District) and Snowdon (Wales) within a 24 hour period, including travelling time, Elliot will probably find Everest a walkover.

We congratulate Elliott on his achievement and for allowing us to benefit from his adventure.

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Cycle Australia: Paris To Rome Cycle Ride: West Highland Walk. : Ironman