26.07.08: I am now back in Blighty having completed this challenge by summitting at 0930 local time (0630 BST) on the 22nd July, after 5 hours of slogging up an icy and snow covered mountain in the dark. This was preceded by over a week of acclimitisation training in other parts of the Baksan valley in southern Russia.

Thank you for any donations you have made to date, please keep them coming. As many of you will be aware, my sister Laura has Crohn's disease. If you click on this link (http://www.nacc.org.uk) you can learn more about this disease and the charity. Please sponsor me online. All the money pledged here will go straight to the NACC.

Most people think the tallest mountain in Europe is Mont Blanc. Mount Elbrus in the Caucasus, at 5,642 m (18,510 ft), is 832 metres higher. It's one of the Seven Summits, the highest points on the seven continents.The Caucasus Main Range is the border between Europe to the North and Asia to the South. The two main Elbrus summits are about 11 km (6.8 miles) to the North of the Main Range, inside European territory. The Main Range is the state border between Russia and Georgia. Both countries are part of former USSR but now are independent states.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: The National Association for Colitis and Crohn's Disease - NACC will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

So please sponsor me now!

Many thanks for your support.