Xia Boyu attempts to reach the summit of Qomolangma. (Photo/The Mirror)
(ECNS) -- Double-amputee Chinese climber Xia Boyu failed in his fourth attempt to reach the summit of the world's highest mountain, Chinese language newspaper The Mirror reported.
On Friday morning, Xia reached a height of 7,900 meters on the 8,848-meter-high Qomolangma.
But the latest information released at 12:45 am said the 67-year-old failed to make it to the summit and has began decent.
Xia's friend Cai Peng said every step forward is a daunting challenge, even for a healthy person.
Xia must undertake constant efforts to manage the icy conditions with his artificial limbs which means he consumes much more energy, he added.
This is the fourth and last time for Xia to reach the peak.
In 1975, a violent storm kept Xia -- then a new member of China's national mountaineering team -- at an altitude of 8,600 meters. The attempt also cost him both his feet due to severe frostbite after giving his sleeping bag to an ailing teammate.
Since then, he has overcome despair, disability and cancer, while maintaining strenuous physical training in an attempt to realize his dream.
Xia, equipped with artificial limbs, climbed four peaks over 6,000 meters high in seven years, and became an inspiration to numerous people.
