Before any numbers, one honest thing needs saying. On some climbs, tips are not a thank-you, they are the wage. Crews on cut-price expeditions can depend on tips to reach a living income, which quietly turns your gratitude into the payroll and puts the welfare of the crew on your conscience instead of the operator's books.

John Evance's attempt has a twist that makes it more interesting than the clock alone. Rather than starting at the Marangu or Umbwe gates, where most previous record attempts have begun

A responsible operator does not send one guide with ten climbers. The guide ratio matters enormously. At Vertical Sky, our lead guide is supported by assistant guides in a ratio that ensures every climber is properly supervised throughout the expedition.

I'll tell you the exact moment I knew the expedition had worked. It was day seven, summit night, 1am, at 5,200 metres — and my leadership team did something that had never happened in our offices. The mountain made it happen.