Fiennes - Kenton Cool Did Summit

Kenton Cool did in fact summit Everest after Ranulph Fiennes turned back suffering from 'extreme exhaustion' high on the mountain, but describes it as 'a horrible summit'.

Summit shot from www.everestchallenge.org.uk

Cool, who climbed the North Face of the Eiger with Fiennes last year and was guiding the explorer on his second attempt at the world's highest mountain,carried the Marie Curie Cancer Care flag to the summit along with Dr Rob Casserley after Fiennes retreated.

"I'm pleased that we got up there, pleased that we got the flag up there, but it was a horrible summit. " He says. "I feel completely beaten up. I think partly it's disappointment over the fact that Ran didn't make it, but both Rob and I, for some reason, found it a hard summit day."

More comments on the expedition web site where Cool explains that his aim was not to summit himself but to get Fiennes to the top.

The good news is that the expedition has raised a massive £1.73 million for the charity so far and the total is still climbing.

You can see images and videos from the expedition on line at www.everestchallenge.org.uk and make a donation to Marie Curie Cancer Care.