Emotional moment South Shields adventurer reaches Kilimanjaro summit with his daughter

Steve Berry, daughter Kirsti Berry and her best friend Laura Wilkinson, have returned home to South Shields after successfully scaling Africa’s highest peak.

Steve, 64, a freelance expedition leader has been taking on the world’s tallest mountains for more than 30 years.

In 2017 he became one of just a few hundred people to climb the highest peak on each of the world’s seven continents.

But on February 1 he was faced with a different challenge as he set off on a seven day trek to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania with his daughter.

It was Steve’s 13th trip up the mountain, but the first time Kirsti, 35 and Laura, 29 had done anything so extreme.

The trio reached the summit at around 6.15am on February 8 after a gruelling and “mentally challenging” trek.

Now seasoned explorer Steve has described it as one of the most “emotional” and “rewarding” things he has done.

“We left the camp just after midnight and got to the summit just as the sun was rising over Africa. It was perfect timing,” he said.

“It was really emotional, there were a few tears of joy. Out of everything I have done that is the most rewarding.”

He continued: “I am so proud of both of them for getting to the top. They found it very tough and there were a few meltdowns.

“When it's cold and you’re walking in the dark you have got to keep motivated, but I always believed they were mentally tough enough.”

Kirsti - who has now given her boots away - won’t be rushing back, but elder sister Stacey Allen wants to give it a go next year.

“It’s always nice to have the support of your family when you do this stuff,” said Steve, who has also thanked his “long-suffering” wife, Jennie.

“Without her I wouldn’t be able to do what I do, I’m forever grateful for her support.”

Laura has raised more than £2,000 for Huntingtons Disease Association and 4 Louis.