A DAREDEVIL fireman with a passion for outdoor adventure has conquered his biggest challenge yet – the world's sixth-highest mountain which almost claimed the lives of two people in his group.

Richard Scott is no stranger to challenges, having previously climbed the highest peaks in both South and North America and trekked to the North Pole.

He has now returned from his latest adventure, which saw him scale Mount Cho Oyu in Tibet which, at nearly 27,000ft, is just 2,000ft short of Everest.

During the expedition, Richard, of Mickleover, came up against temperatures of -35C and sheet ice walls. Two of his group almost died of altitude sickness.

He said: "It really brings it home how dangerous it is. The altitude brings on nausea and headaches. After a few days you start to feel better but you have to take your time and drink lots of water otherwise you could be in trouble.

"And if you do get ill, it can take a week to get help. It brings it home just how vulnerable you are."

Mr Scott said the toughest part of the challenge was when he was at base camp, before he had even started the climb.

"It took us a couple of weeks to even get to base camp," he said.

"You get to Katmandu, then trek to Tibet and then work through the villages in Tibet.

"Base camp is higher than Kilimanjaro, which makes you think when you haven't even started the proper climb yet.

"You already start to feel ill from the altitude, and then seeing the area you have to climb, it looks like an impossible task.

"You just have to take it step by step.

"I climbed to the summit on my own, and to see the dawn over the Himalayas was incredible. It was a real feeling of elation and one of relief."

He took part in the challenge to raise money for St Andrew's Hospice in Grimsby, which is next door to the fire station where he works four days a week, before coming home to Derby on his days off.

He has so far raised £700.

"It was an absolutely brilliant experience," said the 40-year-old former technician with the Royal Air Force.

"I would say summit day was the highlight, when I was up there with oxygen. It was hard work, but worth it, and I took some amazing pictures."

Mr Scott, who returned from the expedition last month, is now calling on people to sponsor him and send the money in so he can reach his £1,000 target.

"It has been more difficult than I thought collecting the money from people," he said.

"Times are hard at the moment, and I know people have not got a lot of spare money but it would be nice to reach £1,000."

The hospice cares for adults and children with progressive life-limiting illnesses.

Mr Scott spent a year training for the exhibition and prepared by running up and down the stairs of a 32-storey building near his fire station and walking in the Peak District.

He took part in the trip with expedition company Jagged Globe. He was joined by 10 other adventurers, a leader, a team of Sherpas, doctors and a meteorologist.

Mr Scott previously completed a trip to the North Pole in 2002, which was followed by expeditions in North and South America.

"I would like to do Everest now, that is the biggest and last challenge," he said.

To sponsor Mr Scott, visit www.justgiving.com/richard scott3