A student who became the youngest Scot ever to conquer the highest peaks on all seven continents has credited his Fife university for making his amazing feat possible.
Geordie Stewart (22) broke the record when he reached the top of Mount Everest last Thursday.
His Seven Summits Challenge was supported by a grant from St Andrews University, where he is studying history and theology.
From Kathmandu, Geordie spoke of his “immense pride” that a share of the university’s sixth-centenary fund had helped make his remarkable accomplishment possible.
He said, “I really would not have been able to reach the summit of Mount Everest without the 600th funding, and that moment will stay with me for the rest of my life so I am eternally grateful.
“Being part of these historical celebrations gives me immense pride.”
During his Everest climb his second attempt after stopping first time round to help fellow climbers who had fallen ill Geordie kept in touch with the university’s director of special projects and corporate relations, Geoff Morris.
Mr Morris said, “Geordie called me twice during his ascent and all I could do was give him words of encouragement and keep him updated on the football scores.
“I had my fingers crossed the whole time and could only hope he made it to the top and back safely. He finally called back on Thursday from advanced base camp to say that he’d made it to the top and was on his way back down.
“At 21,000 feet, I don’t think I’ve ever had a phone call from anywhere so high in the world.
“I was initially relieved that Geordie had made it safely but that shifted to elation.”
He added, “One of the purposes of the 600th anniversary fund was to support individuals that would inspire both current and future students of the university.
“St Andrews encourages its students to do exceptional things and Geordie is a real source of inspiration to us all.”
Before Everest, Geordie conquered Cerro Aconcagua in South America, Kilimanjaro in Africa, Elbrus in Europe, McKinley in North America, Vinson Massif in Antarctica, and Carstensz Pyramid in Oceania.
The Bear Grylls fan, who had the support of his hero and Sir Ranulph Fiennes, described stepping on to his seventh and highest summit as “the most amazing moment” of his life.
Hours later, another member of his party, British teenager George Atkinson (16), became the youngest climber in the world to do the same.
Geordie, who grew up in Hampshire and credits his love of hillwalking to the Scottish side of his family, is expected to return to London at this week.
He was only 17 when he hatched his plan to bag all seven peaks and 18 when he embarked on the first.