York’s Steve is on a new high – as he conquers Antarctic mountain
A York property developer has conquered the highest mountain in Antarctica as part of his quest to climb the highest peak on each of the seven continents.
Steve Davis, CEO of Grantside, based at Middlethorpe Manor, reached the top of Mt Vinson in Antarctica. He now only has two more mountains to conquer in his quest to climb the highest mountains on each continent around the globe.
Last year he successfully climbed Mount Everest, which followed summiting the highest peaks above sea level in Europe, Africa and South America previously.
Next on the list is Denali in North America which he is aiming to climb in May 2023. That will leave just the Carstensz Pyramid, Oceania to summit to achieve his ambition.
The month-long expedition to summit Mt Vinson also included a 112km last degree sled-trek to the South Pole to reach the bottom of the planet on 28 December.
As well as personal achievement, Steve is attempting this epic feat to raise the issue of climate change and how it is impacting the most fragile environments on Earth.
Steve, who with no previous experience only started climbing in late 2018, underwent specialised training to get him ready for his epic challenge including weighted backpack training, practising pulling a sled and hours in the gym to prepare him for the -40C temperatures and extreme environment.
“The conditions were challenging and extreme with temperatures dipping to below -40 degrees and high winds,” he said.
“But the experience of the journey, the polar landscape and extraordinary people was epic.
“It was a privilege to be able to stand on the top of the bottom of the world and spend a few moments just in awe of the view from there taking in this planet we live on.”
Grantside, which has current property developments in York and Harrogate, aims to deliver only carbon neutral developments by 2030 as part of its aspirations for the social and natural environment.