This is the moment Richard Parks made history

14th July 2011

This is a picture exclusive!  The moment former Wales rugby international turned mountaineer Richard Parks reached the top of Mount Elbrus in Russia and became the first ever person to stand on the highest mountain of each of the world's continents and all 3 poles (The North Pole, The South Pole and the summit of Everest) in the same calendar year.

He completed his world record setting challenge of conquering 7 Summits, 3 Poles in 7 Months in 06 months, 11 days, 07 hours and 53 minutes, reaching the summit of Elbrus on Tuesday at 11.53am local time, 08.53am UK time.  Richard aims to raise £1m in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care.

The UK has gone Parksy mad since Tuesday with followers and fans on Twitter calling Richard to be honoured as well as be nominated for Sports Personality of the year, whilst a host of celebrities and current and ex rugby stars have all paid tributes to the former Welsh player.

With his world first complete Richard has become a man in demand with a host of interview requests, the world wanting to talk to the Brit about the rollercoaster ride of the past 7 months which has seen Richard face a host of dramas, from discovering he had contracted frostbite after summiting Everest to cheating death on Denali after falling down a crevasse, to fuel strikes and delays in Antarctica.  It’s been one of the toughest physical and mental challenges anyone could undertake, all played out in the most hostile conditions on the planet.

His home country of Wales will be gathering for a hero’s welcome when Richard returns to Cardiff this Tuesday for a homecoming reception at the Senedd at 4.00pm, for more details click below.

If you would like to make a donation and help Richard raise £1m in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care, click below to make your donation.

Find out more about Richard's homecoming reception
Donate now and help Rich raise a million
View more pictures from the final summit!