The first double amputee to climb to the top of Mt Everest was almost speechless when he reached the summit and called his wife by satellite phone.
Mark Inglis, 47, who lost both legs in a climbing accident 24 years ago, was suffering an attack of laryngitis and managed only to croak: "I did it!"
Sir Edmund Hillary, 86, who conquered the world's highest peak in May 1953, was among the first to offer his congratulations. "It's a remarkable effort. He's done a pretty good job," he said.
Mr Inglis, a New Zealander, reached the summit on Monday and yesterday was said to be descending to base camp....