Mountaineer Adrian Ahritculesei from Petrosani will leave for Alaska on June 1 in a bid to conquer Mount McKinley (Denali), at 6,194 metres the highest peak on the North American continent and part of the international Seven Summits circuit.

The Seven Summits circuit brings together the highest peaks on each of the world's seven continents, with Ahritculesei having already climbed six of them so far, including Mount Everest (8,848 m).

'At this time, I am focusing on what I still have left to do. I am continuing my training because I want to arrive in Alaska in peak physical condition. I know what awaits me, I hope I will acclimatise very well and that the weather will be favourable, because it is important for the success of the expedition. I am confident everything will go well,' Adrian Ahritculesei told AGERPRES on Tuesday.

He will be joined on the expedition by a Romanian mountaineer living in Germany who is also part of the Seven Summits circuit.

The two climbers will be in Anchorage on June 1, with the time difference allowing their departure from Bucharest and arrival in Alaska to fall on the same date. After an initial stop, they will meet on June 3 with the rangers of the natural park where Mount McKinley is located.

On the same day, a small ski-equipped aircraft will take the mountaineers onto the glacier at an altitude of around 2,800 metres, from where, depending on the established schedule and weather conditions, they will complete the stages required to reach the summit.

Mountaineer Adrian Ahritculesei also attempted to climb Mount McKinley in July last year, but was then forced to abandon the ascent because of the high avalanche risk and unfavourable weather conditions.

Among Adrian Ahritculesei's achievements is the completion of the 'Seven Volcanoes Circuit' in January 2023, becoming the first Romanian man to record such a performance. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Sorin Blada; EN - writing by: Simona Iacob)