A Weymouth adventurer is taking on the world’s highest mountains one by one.

Mark McAllister has just returned from Argentina, having conquered Aconcagua in just over two weeks.

At 6,962m, Aconcagua is one of the Seven Summits – the highest mountains of the seven continents – and the third Mark and his friend Bob Bazley, both 49, have climbed.

Having already reached the top of Kilimanjaro in Africa and Mount Elbrus in Europe, the pair plan to take on North America’s Denali next year.

Mark said: “The weather was perfect for us. Aconcagua has a 70 per cent failure rate – you can train for months and then spend four days siting in a tent when you get there because the weather isn’t good enough to go up.

"One of my lasting memories is on the way back getting a sense of achievement and accomplishment. I feel very blessed to have achieved my dreams.”

Mark and Bob met when they were in the Army. Since leaving, they have climbed the highest points of the UK and visited every country in Europe to its 48 highest peaks.

They completed their European challenge in just four years and have now turned their attention to the Seven Summits. Mark, who now lives in London, said: “It’s just a really great experience being out in the outdoors. It can be challenging but it is great fun. It’s nice to get outdoors and enjoy the environment. Mountaineering is a way of escaping the day-to-day routine. It blows away the cobwebs.”

Having visited every country in Europe, the pair are determined to visit every country in the world and climb the highest peaks.

Mark said: “When you visit these places, the locals really appreciate that you have come all that way to climb their mountain.”