South Shields mountaineer aims to make it third time lucky to complete challenge

Steve Berry has set his sights on climbing Ama Dablam at the third time of asking.

Mountaineer Steve Berry has his sights set on scaling Nepal’s Ama Dablam - after being unable to weather the storm for the past two years.

The 61-year-old will be back in harness with climbing partner Ray Smith in November for another ambitious assault on the 6,800 metre-high peak.

Steve Berry on one of his previous expeditions.

The daring duo were forced to abandon their trek in October 2014 after being caught in the eye of the storm as freak blizzards and a massive avalanche battered the region, leading to a death toll of over 40.

The pair aimed to clear up unfinished business when they made a return trip to Nepal last year but tough weather conditions again halted their progress.

Now the tenacious pals are mounting another gruelling effort in November.

Mr Berry said: “Ray and I are heading over to Nepal on November 5 to have one final attempt at Ama Dablam.

“We will head straight to Ama Dablam base camp and do all our preparation on and around the mountain. Hopefully it will be third time lucky.”

Mr Berry, 61, from Central Avenue, South Shields, is still continuing his quest to climb the seven highest mountains in every continent.

He has already reached the top of Mount Everest in the Himalayas, Mount Kosciuszko in Australia, Argentina’s Aconcagua, Mount Denali in Alaska and Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania and Mount Elbrus in Russia with only

Only Mount Vinson, in Antarctica, standing in his way of a place in mountaineering history.

Mr Berry will need to stump up close to £40,000 to pay his way onto an expedition party tackling the 16,050 ft high mountain.

Mr Berry is hoping for a business to come onboard as a sponsor, getting high-profile exposure in return.

If you think you can help out, contact Mr Berry on [email protected]