While many may not ever have the chance to climb Mt Everest, more than 50 locals have conquered the beast not once but twice - albeit 70 times on Te Mata Peak.
Retired New Zealand Army Sergeant Andrew McCrory, and his wife and retired NZ Army Captain Kathleen McCrory were overwhelmed with the support they had received in their efforts to bring people together for the No Duff Charitable Trust Everest Challenge Hawke's Bay.
Mr McCrory was breathless but overjoyed as he took his last hundred steps to the bottom of Te Mata Peak for the fourth time, just after 4pm yesterday, along with his wife and other supporters.
The challenge entailed those who were daring enough to walk the 250m from the Tararua carpark to the top of Te Mata Peak to their goal of 35 times in an attempt to walk the height of Mt Everest, which stands at 8845m.
"It doesn't sound much when you say 50 people did 70, but most people turned up did one showed their support and left. We are all busy people so I understand that, I'm just happy to have that support."