A MOUNTAINEER from York is finally embarking on his record attempt to be the quickest UK person to summit the world's two highest mountains.

After months of planning, delays and cancellations, Steve Davis has set off on his Everest and Lhotse expedition to raise awareness of climate change.

Steve, the founder and chief executive of York property company Grantside, is documenting the experience in a blog, featuring stunning photographs and observations along the route.

He is expected to summit Mount Everest at the end of May, depending on weather conditions, and hopes to then climb K2 in June.

His expedition party is being led by record-breaking mountaineer Nims Purja who was recently part of the team to complete the first ever winter ascent of K2 in January. Nims also scaled all 14 mountains over 8,000m in the world in a record time of just over six months.

Steve set off for Kathmandu at the start of April, where he met Nims, his guide Sherpa and fellow climbers.

After allowing time to adjust, they flew on to Lukla and, on day three, started the ascent to Everest Base Camp, resting along the way to acclimatise and rest.

Steve's blog details their daily activities, the sights along the trek from glacial rivers to the memorial at Thukla to fallen climbers, as well as some of the characters they meet. It has also raised awareness of a charity bid to raise raise funds for a porters lodge and Nims' Big Mountain Clean Up campaign.

An experienced mountaineer, Steve relaunched Grantside this year with a renewed focus on sustainability in development inspired by his travels.

His trip is being captured by photographer and filmmaker Sandro Gromen-Hayes for a document about climate change.

Grantside, established in 1993, has delivered more than £750 million worth of real estate across the UK and recently purchased the Grade II listed building in Clifford Street, previously home to Kuda nightclub, and the Mecca Bingo building in Fishergate, in joint ventures with fellow York-based developers North Star.

Follow Steve on Instagram @stevedavis72 and www.stevedaviseverest.com/