An Irish mountaineer is hoping to become the oldest Irish person to climb the highest mountains in each of the seven continents.

Derek Mahon, who will shortly celebrate his 63rd birthday, has already climbed Denali (Alaska, US), Mount Elbrus (Russia), Aconcagua (Argentina), Kilimanjaro (Tanzania), Kosciuszko (Australia) and Mount Everest (Nepal).

Just one challenge remains - Vinson Massif in Antarctica.

On The Pat Kenny Show, Mr Mahon said he never initially set out to climb the seven summits, but decided to undertake the challenge after scaling Mount Elbrus.

"I so enjoyed it," he said.

"I was testing myself and the resolve was there, and I was just embracing the whole Mother Nature thing."

Everest

Summiting Everest after Elbrus, however, was a massive challenge.

"It’s like running 100m and then going to run a marathon," Mr Mahon said. 

"I was away for a full 8 weeks and day-by-day, you just realise how big and how awesome the mountain is."

"You can understand how many people die on the mountain - the higher you go up, the more bodies you see."

When he reached the summit, Mr Mahon said he really tried to stay present in the moment.

"I really got on top of staying in the moment and being conscious of what I was doing and what I achieved.

"I remember it still vividly, like it was only yesterday."

Vinson

In just a few days, Mr Mahon will begin the final challenge in the seven summits, and he is already bracing himself for the cold and the 4,829m climb.

"It's summer-time down here so the balmy sunny conditions will be at least -15C - so that will be a shock to the system," he said.

If successful, Mr Mahon will enter the Irish record books as the oldest person to complete the seven summits.

"I'm not sure I'm too happy about being the oldest - but look, it's an Irish record and I must say I'll be well proud of it and well proud of myself" he said.

When asked what's next, Mr Mahon wonders if there should even be a next.

"I’ve dedicated my life to achieving these massive things, and it’s time now to chill and to take more time for easy travel and quality travel rather than being stuck in a tent for two days and it’s -20C," he said.

He added that he is "not planning" anything else.

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Feature image: View of the Ellsworth Range from near the summit of Mt. Vinson in Antarctica, Alamy