82-year-old climbs Kilimanjaro

British pensioner becomes oldest man to reach roof of Africa

An 82-year-old has become the oldest man to reach the roof of Africa.

George Solt from Buckinghamshire climbed 5,895 metres to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Solt made the tough trek in memory of his late wife, Jen, while raising money for a local hospice where she spent her final days.

Solt made the journey along the mountain's Machame Route with five members of his family. The route, also known as the Whiskey route, is known to be one of the most scenic on the mountain.

Solt's 50-year-old son didn't make it to the top but his daughter-in-law and three grand kids - the youngest only 12 - joined him at the summit.

He prepared for the climb by taking part in a rigourous workout programme designed by his doctors.

His training with TA Sergeant Ghandi Daykin included weights, cycling and walking. Solt described how he felt when he got to the top: "I was totally blank and exhausted, I was just glad to be able to turn around and get down again."

He mostly thought about getting to the top so did not think much about getting down. He said the descent was "absolutely awful, I was absolutely wrecked. The bottom half was the worst, in the wet rainforest, it was very slippery, the next day I couldn't even walk down the hotel steps."

It took the group six days to get up and two days to come down Kilimanjaro. They left on July 7 and reached the peak on July 14.

Once the Guinness World Records verify his climb his name will officially go down in history. But before that he has been nominated for a 'Heffy' award by Playboy magazine king Hugh Hefter.

The awards are given to older people who do something amazing.