A YOUNG climber is feeling on top of the world after raising the funds for a once-in-a-lifetime trek.

Olivia Culbreth, a sixth form student at Budmouth, spent just over a week in Africa climbing Mt Kilimanjaro and experiencing African culture.

“I wanted to do something exciting after my GCSEs and before the gruelling AS’s started,” said Olivia. “I discussed it with the British Expedition Company and decided on Kilimanjaro.”

Olivia previously participated in activities like Ten Tors and the Duke of Edinburgh scheme, and so already owned a lot of the kit.

On hiking Kilimanjaro, Olivia said: “We were hiking for seven days in total - five days up and two days down. On the way up you walk through different terrains; you start in a rainforest, then go to the moorland, then desert-like sands and finally the summit. The summit was around -15 degrees, so cold that there were glaciers on top. The way down is fast but hard going on your toes and knees as you sort of have to ski down the rocks.”

“I can’t even begin to explain how cold it was on the final night.”

A story about Olivia contracting frostbite went around between her classmates, but fortunately it turned out she had just lost a toenail thanks to the terrain.

The climbers got up at 11.30pm to reach the peak at about 6am.

This allowed them to watch the sun rise from the peak of the colossal African volcano.

A group of 11 people hiked up the mountain, including Olivia and her boyfriend, Joe Stamper.

They were the two youngest climbers, both being only 17.

Olivia funded her expedition through grants and paying for it with money she earned.

“Reaching the summit was the best feeling I’ve ever experienced I felt so incredibly proud of myself and the group of people I was with. The hard work was so definitely worth it. I had a little cry at the top but only because I was so happy!”

After the climb she spent some time enjoying a safari in Arusha National Park and visiting the local town of Moshi.

“The first thing I did when I got home was run a bath, and then I went to the beach to see my friends,” she added.

But Olivia has no plans of resting – already she’s started considering her next challeng.