Adventurer Mark Beaumont reached the 6,962 metres (22,841 ft) high summit of Aconcagua in Argentina at 2.55 pm (5.55 pm GMT) today after ten days of climbing.

Located in the Andes mountain range, Cerro Aconcagua is the highest mountain in the Americas, and the highest mountain outside Asia.  Although not technically difficult, Mark and his team had to deal with the debilitating effects of climbing at altitude, with the last 100m being particularly gruelling.

LISTEN TO MARK'S MESSAGE FROM THE SUMMIT!

Reaching the summit is a fantastic achievement in itself.  But Mark’s triumph is even more remarkable as he began the climb after only 5 days rest from spending over 180 days cycling 11, 000 miles down the longest mountain range on the planet.

Mark’s incredible expedition to Cycle the Americas began in Alaska in June 2009, where he cycled to and then climbed Mt McKinely (Denali) the second highest mountain in the Amercias. He then cycled through Canada, North America, Central America and into South America, arriving in Argentina in time for Christmas. After a brief rest and some medical tests in Medonza, Mark celebrated the New Year and his 27th birthday by swapping his bike for climbing gear and heading up the North West face of Aconcagua with his team of four.

We caught up with Mark just before he left Base Camp at 4300m on Aconcagua to ask him about his penchant for ultra-endurance expeditions:

What's your motivation for undertaking such long and gruelling solo challenges?

Motivation is something I have never really questioned - it has been there since my first expedition aged 12. I love the mental challenges as much as the physical, so solo ultra endurance appeals to me more than traditional sports. These days I am further motivated by being able to share my expeditions with millions of people through my documentaries, blogging and writing.

What's been the hardest part of your current expedition up until you reached Aconcagua?

The climb of Denali (Mt McKinley) in Alaska was undoubtedly the toughest and most dangerous time. Not all of my team summited and on the way we witnessed bad storms, fatalities and many situations that tested us all. Since then I have cycled 11,000 miles south to climb Aconcagua in Argentina. The last months cycling through Peru and the Atacama Region in Chile have been the toughest desert conditions I have ever experienced.   

Which route are you climbing up Aconcagua?

I am climbing the North West Route, sometimes called de Los Pioneros. My team of four includes two Argentinians and a Russian - at the time of writing I am at Place de Mulas (Base Camp) at 4340m altitude. We have a day here to acclimatise before climbing higher. 

Is it difficult to adapt to climbing as part of a team after being on your own for so long?

Sure. After half a year pedalling away in my own world, getting off the bike and living for weeks in very close quarters with a team on the mountain is a big change. I am so used to making my own decisions and setting my own schedule. Handing over control is strange for me. However, I was exhausted coming off the bike after 183 days pedalling down the Americas and despite now climbing the highest mountain outside the Himalayas, I am feeling a new lease of energy and determination thanks to the change of scene. 

Which challenge has been more difficult - cycling around the world or cycling the Americas?

That's a really tough question - especially as I am still on expedition. I need time to stop and reflect, but I can already say that they have both been difficult in very different ways. Cycling the Americas is a much longer expedition and I have a lot more to do than while Cycling the World, where I was mainly cycling as fast as I could every day! The level of film-making and blogging here is a new challenge. I certainly could not be Cycling the Americas without the experience gained from Cycling the World, so in that sense it has been a step up in difficulty. 

Whilst Mark has been on his epic trip, Speakers from the Edge has been working really hard organising a 37 date lecture tour for Mark due to kick off in March (see dates and venues here). We asked Mark why people should come and see his show?

People will enjoy an evening of my films and stories as they cover such a spectrum of places, cultures, emotions and challenges. Anyone who has read my book will know that I talk sparingly about the bike - I share more about my dreams and what it took to make them happen, as well as the thrill of the unknown on such solo journeys. The cycling fans should love every detail, but my stories appeal to a far greater group - anyone with a love of adventure, the joy of great mental and physical feats as well as films and photography from the wild world we live in! 

Well done to Mark and his team for reaching the summit. But it's not over yet. After coming off the mountain Mark has the small matter of 2000 miles to cycle in order to reach the end of his expedition at the tip of Argentina. Don’t forget to keep up with Mark on his dedicated BBC website as he begins the final stage of his expedition.