HE may have stood on top of the world, but the sights he saw along the way made James Nettleton realise Mount Everest is not for the faint-hearted.

The 28-year-old experienced adventurer, from the village of Newington, in South Oxfordshire, has climbed to the more difficult northern ridge of the 8,848-metre (29,029-feet) mountain.

His superhuman feat came after rowing the Atlantic Ocean, all part of his mammoth fundraising effort for the John Radcliffe Hospital’s Cancer Centre for which he hopes to buy hi-tech equipment. Around £2,000 has been raised so far.

Four people died during his time on Everest because of the extreme conditions.

Scottish climber Peter Kinloch died despite three sherpas spending 12 hours trying to save him before being forced to abandon him as the weather closed in.

Mr Nettleton passed Kinloch on the way up to the summit and the preserved bodies of unsuccessful adventurers.

He said: “When climbers reach 7,500 metres the human body actually starts to decompose as there is so little pressure and as a result very little oxygen.

“Eventually, it will start shutting down to concentrate on your vital organs.

“I could see the guy was struggling so I told him to get off the mountain before he killed himself.

“That was the last time I saw him. I later saw lights as the sherpas tried to save his life, but gradually they went out.”

Before he tackled the mountain Mr Nettleton and his team spent two months building up their camps and waiting for a weather window.

Then in the early hours of May 25, Mr Nettleton left his tent to push for the summit of Everest.

Despite having survived on cereal bars, dried food and melted snow for days, he said the climb was the most “magical seven hours” of his life.

He said: “During the ascent I did pass numerous human bodies, which I did find upsetting, and this was a constant reminder to concentrate on the climbing and not make any stupid mistakes.

“I was looking down on every part of the world and could clearly see the curvature of the Earth. It was an incredible effort to lift my body up, but inch by inch I clambered, kicked, pulled and heaved my way up.

“After three years of planning and over 3,000 miles of rowing, two months’ climbing, and six different camps I was finally standing on top of the world.”

After a 16-hour descent, frostbitten and snow-blind, Mr Nettleton finally reached advanced base camp where he collapsed and was was given medical attention.

He said: “It was after the doctor had treated my face and a hot meal and tea was put in front of me that I truly felt I had completed my challenge.

“I’m on the way to gaining four different world records and am the first man to successfully tackle the two extreme conditions on the Earth together, but to me the experiences I’ve gained and my own sense of achievement are the most important.

“They’ll live with me for the rest of my days.”

l To sponsor Mr Nettleton’s efforts for the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals Trust, go to justgiving.com/nettles-NeveRest