An intrepid climber has recalled overcoming the harrowing mental struggle of seeing dead bodies as he reached the summit of Mount Everest.

Nick Hollis, from Maidenhead Road, just outside Cookham Dean, visited Nepal on March 22, started his trek up the world’s tallest mountain on April 6 and completed the challenge 45 days later on May 21.

Bucks Free Press:

It comes as the mountain repeatedly made headlines throughout the spring season as 11 people died there in just one month.

Many of thee deaths were attributed to exhaustion and tiredness, made worse by a crowded route to and from the summit causing long delays.

And despite reaching the top, Nick went through severe emotional and physical trauma during this six-week period - and he revealed to the Bucks Free Press that this is something he won’t do again.

He said: “The risks are real while climbing and these are things you accept when you sign up.

“Despite being an experienced mountain climber, anything could happen when you climb a mountain like Everest, so I experienced a lot of difficulties.

“I lost nearly 10kg in weight (1.5 stone), I suffered from snow blindness, it was incredibly windy, cold, and when I reached the summit, it was so bright that I lost my sight for a few moments.

“It was certainly draining, and I feel exhausted and fatigued. It’s something I won’t do again.”

Bucks Free Press:

Nick decided to climb the monstrous rock to complete the Seven Summit Challenge, which is where mountaineers hike up each of the seven continents' highest mountains.

And after already reaching the top of Mount Denali in North America, Aconcagua in South America, Kilimanjaro in Africa, Elbrus in Europe, Kosciuszko in Australia and Vinson in Antarctica, it was the Asian-based Everest that remained on Nick’s to-do list.

However, the trip came with numerous unwanted challenges as Nick’s oxygen system broke three times whilst 8,000 metres up and during his journey, he encountered the bodies of other climbers who had succumbed to the conditions.

He said: “It was incredibly unsettling to see dead bodies on Everest as you want to stop and help but you can’t as there’s literally nothing you can do.

“You just have to carry on as you’re so high up. And since Everest is so high up, helicopters can’t fly at that altitude, so the bodies are left there.

“Of course, people will try and rescue them as it would have been reported but it’s so dangerous and it’s something I won’t do again.

“There is a point where you kind of hit a wall as you’re putting your mind and body through so much.

“But when you’re so far from the bottom and you’re so far from the top, you have to keep going as you can’t stay in the same place.”

1. Kosciuszko, Australasia, Australia (9,950 feet)

2. Vinson Massif, Antarctica, Antarctica (16,050 feet)

3. Mount Elbrus, Europe, Russia (18,510 feet)

4. Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa, Tanzania (19,341 feet)

5. Mount Denali, North America, United States of America (20,310 feet)

6. Mount Aconcagua, South America, Argentina (22,837 feet)

7. Mount Everest, Asia, Nepal (29,029 feet)