In hindsight, the accident has given me a huge amount of opportunity

Mark Inglis

Now he has not only returned to New Zealand's highest peak, he has conquered it, with the aid of hi-tech, heavy-duty, artificial climbing legs.

"I really enjoyed being back in the mountain environment - apart from the usual fear when you strike a difficult pitch," he said.

The highly advanced titanium, steel and rubber legs carried Inglis throughout his two-day assault on the 3,717-metre (12,346-feet) peak.

Last month he reached the halfway mark but was forced to retreat because of soft snow conditions. He completed the climb on Monday, setting off from the point where he turned back on 14 December.

"The artificial legs work superbly on rough ground," he said.

"They keep you stable and totally in control"

'Toughest test'

Christchurch-based designer Wayne Alexander said the legs have "passed their toughest test".

"They aren't really designed to be worn with boots or shoes," he said.

"Yesterday was the first time they had been used in crampons.

"We weren't 100% sure how they would cope with such rough terrain but we were reasonably confident they would do the job... and they did."

Mr Alexander is hopeful the legs will one day be manufactured on a commercial basis, and made available to disabled athletes around the globe.

Opportunities

Since losing his legs, Mark Inglis has completed a science degree and launched a new career as a winemaker.

He has also represented New Zealand in skiing and won a silver medal in cycling at the Sydney 2000 Paralympics.

"In hindsight, the accident has given me a huge amount of opportunity," he said. "It also opened a lot of doors and for that you are always grateful."

So were there any advantages to climbing with artificial legs?

"I didn't get cold feet," he laughed.