EXMOOR'S finest explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes is setting off to climb Aconcagua, the highest mountain in South America, this week. 

Having barely rested since returning from Antarctica in December, the 72-year-old is attempting to climb the 6,962m (22,838 feet) peak in his pursuit to become the first person to have crossed both polar ice caps and climb the highest mountain on each continent, to raise money for the charity Marie Curie. 

Mount Aconcagua is one of the highest mountains in the world, second only to Mount Everest, and will present Sir Ranulph with -30 degree temperatures, strong winds, blizzards and whiteouts. 

Low levels of oxygen also pose a particular problem for Sir Ranulph who suffers from the breathing condition Cheyne–Stokes. 

Sir Ranulph is over halfway to completing his record attempt in aid of Marie Curie, having already crossed both polar ice caps, and climbed Mount Everest in Asia, Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa, Mount Elbrus in Europe and most recently Mount Vinson in Antarctica.

However, he still needs to successfully summit Aconcagua, Mount Carstensz in Australasia and finally Denali, the highest peak in North America and one of the world’s most dangerous and difficult mountains to climb - only then will he complete this world first which sees the culmination of his lifetime of exploration.

Sir Ranulph is hoping his efforts will inspire people to donate to his chosen charity, Marie Curie. The money raised will help Marie Curie provide care and support to people living with a terminal illness and their families in the UK. 

This has all been made possible by sponsorship from long-time benefactor Paul Sykes and TMF Group.

Speaking about his imminent climb Sir Ranulph Fiennes said: “If life consisted of climbing one mountain and then waiting a bit before doing another, it would be quite simple but with the seasons and weather dictating things, that’s not how it is.

“And of course, another obstacle I will face is that things aren’t as they were in the past – the body, with the same amount of training can’t achieve the same things, so success in this challenge is by no means guaranteed.

"But the whole point of doing this is to raise money for Marie Curie Nurses. If someone donates to my challenge, they are really doing something special which is helping people at what can be the most difficult time in life.”

No stranger to physical challenges, Sir Ranulph has suffered two heart attacks and undergone a double heart bypass and suffers from vertigo.

Dr Jane Collins, chief executive of Marie Curie said: “Following the progress of Sir Ranulph’s challenge, it has become increasingly clear what a truly amazing undertaking this is.

"I cannot overstate my admiration for his determination as well as his unfailing commitment to raising money for Marie Curie.

"We hope that the success that he’s had so far in his challenge will encourage even more people to get behind him and donate via his Just Giving page.”

Sir Ranulph has raised £18m in total for charity and aims to raise £20m for good causes in his lifetime. 

To support Sir Ranulph’s Global Reach Challenge in aid of Marie Curie go to www.justgiving.com/Ranulph.