FEW people can say they have climbed the height of Mount Everest.

But Tempo man Chris Gilroy has done just that, completing a feat of endurance that he wouldn't have dreamt possible just four years ago.

The local father-of-one completed the challenge, known as 'Everesting', when he climbed Northern Ireland's highest peak, Slieve Donard, 37 times without stopping last month.

And not even sub-zero temperatures, darkness and the odd hallucination could deter Chris from conquering the 8,889-metre climb, which has raised £710 for Men's Action Network and Men's Alliance.

"It was a hard mental challenge, there's no denying that," Chris said. "I have done endurance challenges in the past, but nothing as long and repetitive.

"I set off late on a Saturday night in January and finished 33 hours later. The weather conditions were cold, and it was like an ice rink at the top.

"It was a test of endurance, both physically and mentally. The combination of darkness, tiredness and cold gets into your head, and can even make you hallucinate. I had to stay focused on my breathing and keeping warm.

"I was about to give up 20 laps in but pushed on. I'm so glad I did!"

Completing the Everest challenge is a major personal milestone for Chris.

Just four years ago, he was in a completely different place. Neglecting his fitness and partaking in unhealthy habits like smoking and drinking, he knew he had to make a change.

"The challenge made me reflect on how far I have come the last four years, having gotten into getting fitness and turning my life around,” he said.  

"I have lost weight, quit drinking and smoking, and I am looking after myself much better. Last year I graduated in Sports and Exercise Science. To be honest, getting into fitness has been a game-changer for me. I feel very fortunate to have discovered it in this way.

“Anyone can benefit from getting into exercise, even if it’s just going for a walk once a day.”

Chris said that his seven-year-old daughter was a major driving force in this life change, adding that his personal experiences provided the inspiration to support his chosen charities.

"My daughter has always been my inspiration to keep going," he said, with pride. "Each lap was a numbers game. The seventh was the age of my daughter, so that was particularly special.

"Supporting the Men's Action Network and Men's Alliance was also a huge driver for me. Personally, the last few years have been challenging, and I know the difficulties that many fathers out there face when it comes to matrimonial breakdown, custody issues and mental health difficulties.

"Thankfully, I have never needed the charities, but know how important they can be in supporting fathers. Hopefully, my challenge will raise awareness of what these charities offer."

But what’s next for the Tempo mountaineer? Unsurprisingly, more endurance challenges are on the horizon!

“In May I will head to Wales to take part in the ‘Ultra Trail Snowdonia’,” Chris said. “This is a 100-mile race, with an accumulated assent of 9,500 metres, which is even higher than Mount Everest.

“I am putting myself through the pain once again, but having completed the Everest challenge, I know I am capable of it. It should be more than doable!”

And while Chris has no plans to tackle Mount Everest itself, it’s something that’s firmly on his ‘bucket list’.

“Unfortunately, climbing Mount Everest is a ‘money-man’s game’, and it could cost £15,000 to get the opportunity,” he said.

“Surely, if someone had a spare 15 grand to put toward it, I would certainly give it a go!”