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After climbing the highest mountains in Europe and South America, asthmatic Mogens Jensen has finally conquered Mount Everest.

Mogens Jensen, the Danish asthmatic sponsored by GSK in 2006 for his attempt to climb to the summit of Mount Everest, has succeeded in his bid to reach the peak in May 2007.

In 2005, he attempted to become the first asthmatic without additional oxygen to reach the summit of Everest. Although this attempt failed not far from the summit because of frostbite, Mogens repeated the attempt again in 2006.

Mogens Jensen profile

Mogens Jensen was diagnosed with asthma in 1998, but he was determined not to allow it to control his life.

He returned hoping to finish what he started. "I want to achieve this goal for myself and also to show other asthmatics what can be done," says Mogens, 33, who gave up his teaching career a few years ago to devote his time to this project.

Mogens took the north route for his summit attempt having spent weeks acclimatising, having cycled almost 550km from Kathmandu - a significant feat in itself because the air is much thinner than at sea level.

Unfortunately he wasn't successful in reaching the summit in 2006, but it was still a truly remarkable achievement that shows a formidable strength of character and physical fitness undiminished by disease.

Undeterred, he tried again in May 2007. In near-perfect conditions, it was Mogens' third attempt to become the first asthmatic to scale the world's highest mountain without the use of additional oxygen.

"On Tuesday of this week, at 0630, I stood on the summit of Mount Everest. I had finally reached my goal and spent 30 minutes on the roof of the world with my sherpa Dorje Sonam Gyaltsen," says Mogens.

He was forced to use some oxygen as he neared the peak: "I had to use it to get there because my asthma was playing tricks on me - there was no way I could have summited without breathing with what felt like one lung," he says.

"I am totally happy - I have reached my goal. For sure, it was one of the greatest moments of my life. In such clear weather it was the most stunning view I've experienced - it's no wonder they call it the theatre of dreams."

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