On top of the world: climber conquers Mount Everest at the third attempt

Heroic former soldier Les Binns , of Wath, toasted his success with a can of beer at base camp.

Les twice abandoned his dream of reaching the highest peak on earth — including one occasion when came to the aid of an injured climber just 500 metres from the summit.

But the marvellous mountaineer, whose last attempt in 2017 was thwarted by bad weather, finally made it to the top of the world with fellow climber Susan Thapa Magar (below left, with Les) on Friday, May 13.

The successful climb came after a month of acclimatisation, and Les said he was raising a can at base camp to his climbing triumph.

“The climb has knocked the life out of me, but I can’t wait for everyone to see the summit photos,” he said.

Les, who was blinded in one eye by shrapnel from an improvised explosive device in 2009, has been supported by Blesma, which helps wounded veterans, and the charity helped fund his Everest mission.

The dad of one served in Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan during a 13-year military career.