Jake is a real high climber (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Jake is a real high climber

TETBURY student Jake Meyer is nearing his quest to become the youngest person in the world to climb the Seven Summits.

The 20-year-old has already scaled the highest peaks on four continents and is looking for £35,000 sponsorship to help him complete two more.

Jake, who is an Environmental Science Undergraduate at Bristol University, climbed Tanzania's Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa when he was just 15.

When he was 18 he achieved the world record for youngest solo ascent outside the Himalayas after climbing Mt Aconcagua in Argentina, South America, during a gap year.

In the same year, Jake also climbed Europe's highest peak, Mount Elbrus, as well as Mt McKinley (Denali) in North America.

More recently he has climbed Carstensz Pyramid, Indonesia, and he is due to set off to Mt Kosciuszko, Australia, in the next few weeks.

Jake told the Standard: "Kilimajaro was quite easy in comparison to Aconcagua which was mentally and physically difficult, partly because I was 12,000 miles away from anyone I knew.

"Sometimes I climb in a team or on my own and each mountain has been very different."

He started rock climbing when he was 13 and set his sights on the Seven Summits when he was 14 and studying at Marlborough College. At the time, the youngest person to have completed them was 27-year-old British Army Officer Sundeep Dhillon. American Britton Keeson, 22, currently holds the title, having completed the summits in 174 days.

Jake hopes to complete his quest by June, beating the current record by over a year.

In December he plans to climb Mt Vinson, the highest mountain in Antartica, and Jake's final expedition will be in April when he plans to climb Everest.

Jake, who is going to Sandhurst in 2006, said: "What drives me is the fact that few people have done this. I feel elated when I'm climbing, I'm on top of the world.

"I think everyone is proud that I'm so driven and focused in my goals for someone my age."

Sponsorship pledges can be sent to Jake at Trull Farm, Tetbury, Gloucestershire, GL8 8SQ or by phoning 0771776 3736.