A nine-year-old has become the youngest person to ever climb all the English 'Wainwrights' twice - a total of 418 peaks.

Frankie McMillan has been climbing fells and mountains under his own steam since the age of three.

He has been known for his treks - such as climbing Scafell Pike the tallest peak in England.

Frankie has also become the youngest Briton to climb Mount Olympus at the age of 7 and one year later conquering Toubkal the highest peak in north Africa.

But this time the mountain lover decided to go back to the peaks he first conquered - and successfully climbed the Wainwrights again - amounting a total of 418 summits reached.

Wainwrights are the 214 English peaks that lie within the boundary of the Lake District National Park in Cumbria.

It took him one and a half years to complete this round - even through rain and snow.

Frankie from Gosforth, west Cumbria, said it feels "astonishing" to complete the Wainwrights for the second time last Sunday."

He said: "It takes some people all life to do only one round and I have already done two rounds when being only 9 years old."

"I am very proud of myself. Sometimes we had to go through bad weather and we go all year round - I like to see different seasons on the mountain how the landscape changes."

"Even if you go to the same peak more than once it is never the same, every day is different."

His mum Basia McMillan, 40, said he would only climb the peaks during the weekend as weekdays were reserved for school.

She said: "Completing one round of Wainwrights for some is a life goal. But two rounds at age of 9?"



"Sometimes through rain, sometimes through wind, sometimes through snow. Sometimes he had to turn back as safety comes first - but he came back to do it again."

"This is a story of courage, determination, and never give up attitude. This is a perfect example of 'you can do anything, believe in yourself' - doesn't matter what age."

Despite loving climbing all the mountains and not finding them difficult he found Bessyboot, Ullscarf and Tarn Crag less appealing.

But he is ready to start round three on Tuesday.

He said: " I will never stop. I have new boots ready and we decided to take new routes - so even we will visit the same tops the journey will be different."

"In my lifetime I want to do it 100 times, 100 rounds, and set new world record."

At this stage Frankie has climbed nearly 800 mountains always beside his mum who is a qualified mountain leader and founder of the guided walk company Hills and Skills.

She is also a trained Mountain Rescue Team volunteer in Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team.

Mrs McMillan said that her son "thrives" outdoors and couldn't be "more proud of his achievements."



"He is just perfect role model to us all," she added. "

"Here is for round three and many more. Starting on Tuesday!"

Frankie now wants to climb the highest peak of every country in Europe as well ass the highest peak of each continent.

He is a keen climbing student, an enthusiastic boy scout, and even a monthly columnist in Cumbria.

"So far I have climbed 7 highest peaks of 7 different countries. There is so much to see and explore."

"Mountains make me feel free and alive. In the mountains I can do whatever I want and just run," Frankie concluded."