Ex-Royal Marine Mitch Hutchcraft has completed what his team describes as the longest-ever ascent of Mount Everest—from sea to summit—after covering more than 8,000 miles by swimming, cycling, running and trekking over the past 240 days. What began on 15 September with a solo swim across the 21-mile (35 km) width of the English Channel culminated early Sunday at 07:30 BST, when the 31-year-old from Ramsey, Cambridgeshire, finally stood atop the world’s highest peak.
Hutchcraft’s epic journey took him first across cold Channel waters, then by bicycle some 7,456 miles (12,000 km) through Europe and into India, arriving at Digha on the Bay of Bengal. From there he ran 559 miles (900 km) to Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital, before tackling the classic 223-mile (360 km) trek to Everest Base Camp—each stage pushing his physical and mental limits.
Speaking from the summit over the phone to his support team, Hutchcraft called the achievement “more magical than I could ever have dreamed,” and paid tribute to his late father, who died suddenly eleven years ago. “Although I lost my dad when I was 20, he was with me every step of the way,” he said. “This has been the toughest thing I’ve ever done, but I couldn’t be happier and more proud of finishing this epic adventure.”
His latest feat follows other extraordinary challenges: a 4,800-km row across the Atlantic and a 3,100-mile cycling expedition across North America. Having undergone a full knee reconstruction—and once been told he might never even join the military—Hutchcraft is determined to use Project Limitless to inspire others to chase their dreams. He is also fundraising for SAVSIM, an organisation that provides wildlife conservation efforts and mental health support to veterans dealing with PTSD.
Hutchcraft served six years with the Royal Marines until 2021 and now lives in Torquay, Devon. The official filming of his triathlon—and the dramatic Everest ascent—is being captured by a production crew, with the project due to conclude when he returns to Base Camp by Monday morning. Starrry-eyed as a child by visions of Everest, he quipped, “Never in a million years did I think this would be how I’d get here,” but hopes his journey will show that no goal is too big if you set your mind to it.
