NEARLY two months after heading out to the Himalayas a Kendal man has fulfilled his boyhood dream and conquered Everest, reports Lisa Frascarelli.

Barry Roberts spent half-an-hour soaking up the scenery at 8,848 metres on Monday morning before beginning his descent back down the world's highest peak.

Speaking by satellite phone to The Westmorland Gazette at advanced base camp the afternoon after his summit-bid the 42-year-old described his "fantastic" feat.

"I'm very tired, very dehydrated and very elated. I feel relieved and privileged. It was a very, very exciting climb," he said. "We camped at 8,300m and left at 1.30am. As we climbed there was a fantastic sunrise and it was pretty steady all the way to the top. I got to the summit first, before the other teams and the view was just stunning."

Mr Roberts, who kicked his crampons into the summit at 7.40am, enjoyed the high-altitude panoramas with his climbing companion for 20 minutes before he was joined by fellow climbers and had his thunder slightly stolen by a record-breaking microlight pilot.

"We were stood at the top taking pictures when, amazingly, a microlight flew past and took pictures," he said. The Kendal climber was snapped by Richard Meredith-Hardy who, on Monday morning, became the first man to take a microlight to the top of the world.

Mr Roberts said although his climb up Everest had gone smoothly and the weather had held such expeditions were always a struggle.

"It's hairy, all the way through you are listening to your body, wondering whether you're head will explode, constantly monitoring your oxygen. It's all a constant challenge," he said. "Sadly there has been some carnage up here three Koreans, a Bulgarian and a Japanese woman have all died. Which makes it very dramatic."

The experienced climber, who nearly had his hopes dashed of making the momentous climb when he suffered two back fractures earlier in the year, said he hoped to be home by June 6.

Meanwhile, back at home his wife Eadaoin said she had endured a sleepless night during her husband's summit-bid but was delighted with his achievement.

"I'm absolutely delighted. It's been such an investment in time, money and time apart. It's been extremely worrying at times but I knew he had previous Himalayan experience and knew it would stand him in good stead."

Unfortunately a 12-strong group from Bowness-based mountain expedition company Adventure Peaks had to abandon their summit-bid. The group that was led by David Pritt and included Kendal GP Michael Brennan aborted their trek last Friday.