MOUNTAINEER Gary Osguthorpe has climbed – and cycled – across Europe and America, from the Alps and Spain to Utah and Nevada.

Now the 49-year-old from Strensall has been named as York’s Adventurer Of The Year in a competition organised by York’s new outdoor equipment store, GO Outdoors, and The Press.

He will receive £250 of vouchers to spend at the store in Foss Bank and will also have a plaque installed in the premises to commemorate his achievement.

The contest to discover the city’s most adventurous person was launched in March, when we asked readers to send in pictures of themselves enjoying an outdoor adventure and explain why they thought they should win the title.

There were a number of high- quality entrants, young and old, who between them had gone kayaking, skydiving, snowboarding, sailing and husky-sledging, not to mention walking on glaciers, searching for tigers and hiking through rainforests.

But Gary, a self-employed builder, impressed judges the most with his enthusiasm and passion for the great outdoors. “Gary cycles, rock climbs and climbs mountains, both close to home and further afield,” said a spokeswoman for GO Outdoors.

“He’s climbed the highest mountain in England, Scotland, Wales, France and Switzerland.

“Definitely a keen traveller, he has also explored Spain, the Alps, Colarado, Utah, Arizona and Nevada.”

He has also taken part in walks across Yorkshire’s Three Peaks to help raise funds for paralysed York mother Debbie Plowman. Now he is planning to climb the Matterhorn in the Swiss Alps in July.

He said he was “absolutely thrilled” to have won the competition. “I’m passionate about the outdoors and spend every spare moment I have rock climbing, mountaineering and mountain- biking,” he said.

“It’s also perfect timing as the £250 vouchers will come in really handy for my climb in the Swiss Alps this July.”

Store manager Carl Abbott said he had been very impressed by all the entries and the store would be honoured to have Gary’s plaque on the shop floor.