Explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes summits Everest, 2009

To help Sir Ranulph smash his £3million target you can make a donation at http://www.justgiving.com/everestranulph

Watch my 2008 coverage on the blog or read the background about the challenge

It’s a case of third time lucky for British explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes as he finally conquers the world’s highest mountain.

The 65 year old adventurer reached the summit shortly before 1:00am (BST), said a spokesperson for Marie Curie Cancer Care, for whom Fiennes is raising money.

“Sir Ranulph Fiennes reached the summit of Everest shortly before 1:00 am (BST) on Thursday 21 May 2009, completing what he set out to do a year ago — to raise the Marie Curie flag at the peak of the world’s highest mountain,”

After two unsuccessful attempts the adventurer deliberately kept his attempt under the radar. He is now the first man to cross both the planet’s poles and climb 8,850 metres (29,035ft) to the world’s highest peak.

Donate to Marie Curie Cancer Care here:

Watch a slideshow of photographs from Sir Ranulph attempt in 2008:

Below is the full press release from Marie Curie Cancer Care:

Sir Ranulph Fiennes conquers Everest for Marie Curie Cancer Care

On his third attempt Sir Ranulph Fiennes has reached the summit of Everest shortly before 1am this morning, completing what he set out to do a year ago – to raise the Marie Curie flag at the peak of the world’s highest mountain.

At 65, Sir Ranulph is the oldest Briton to summit Everest. He is also the first explorer in history to reach the world’s highest peak and the most northerly and most southerly points on the planet – the latter two unsupported.

Sir Ranulph Fiennes: Everest Basecamp ©Lizscarff

Sir Ranulph said: “I have summited Everest for Marie Curie Cancer Care which has long been a personal goal. Thanks to my sponsor Brewin Dolphin for making this possible, I urge everyone who followed my attempt last year to give generously to Marie Curie so that we can at last achieve our £3million target to support its pioneering work in end-of-life care.

Thomas Hughes-Hallett, Chief Executive of Marie Curie Cancer Care said: “Everyone at Marie Curie is delighted that Sir Ranulph has conquered Everest, we know it meant so much to him – we are so grateful to Ran for all his support for the charity and for his determination to personally take the Marie Curie flag to the summit.”

Jamie Matheson, Executive Chairman of Brewin Dolphin said: “We are absolutely thrilled by today’s news – this climb was truly courageous. Sir Ranulph made a speech at one of our client events last year and we were all so inspired that we wanted to do everything we could to help him make his record attempt.”

Sir Ranulph climbed the north face of the Eiger successfully in 2007 for Marie Curie Cancer Care and first attempted Everest in 2005. He had a heart attack at 8,500 metres on the North Tibetan side but escaped with his life. Last year, after reaching an altitude of 8,400 metres, he turned back due to exhaustion.

On his return he said:” I won’t be returning to Everest, it’s a seven week trip – last time I had a heart attack, this time bad timing and weather scuppered my chances, I think any third attempt would be bad luck.”

To help Sir Ranulph smash his £3million target you can make a donation at http://www.justgiving.com/everestranulph