Seven-year-old becomes the youngest to ever climb Mount Olympus in Greece

A three-year-old mountaineer has achieved the title of the youngest Brit to climb Greece's highest mountain. Frankie McMillan, from Gosforth, Cumbria, began scaling peaks at a young age, accompanying his mother, Basia McMillan, 39, on their mountain adventures in the Lake District. Frankie, now seven, accomplished his first significant feat at the age of four by summiting Scafell Pike and conquering all 214 Wainwrights in the Lake District.

On September 2, 2023, Frankie, accompanied by his mother, reached the summit of Mount Olympus, standing at 9,573ft (2,918m) above sea level. This achievement earned him the title of the youngest Brit to accomplish this feat. The mother and son duo, in association with a local guide, spent two days trekking up the mountain before descending on September 3. Basia had to convince the hike organizers of Frankie's capabilities through numerous emails and phone calls.

Expressing his pride, Frankie said that reaching the summit of Mount Olympus was the highest he had ever been and he enjoys climbing because it allows him to spend time with his family, appreciate nature, enjoy scenic views, and engage in rock-climbing. He expressed his desire to climb Mount Everest in the future but acknowledged that he might be too young for such an endeavor. Instead, he mentioned his interest in climbing Rainbow Mountain in Peru, Toubkal in Morocco, or visiting Everest Base Camp if his mother permits.

Basia, a mountain guide herself, admitted some concerns about Frankie's ability to make it to the top but was ultimately proud of his determination and perseverance. She shared that Frankie did not complain or request breaks during the trek and was even more energetic than herself. Basia mentioned that the final ascent of Mount Olympus was challenging, yet Frankie was excited about the technical aspects and enjoyed the vertical ascent using ropes.

With Mount Olympus successfully climbed, Frankie now has his sights set on conquering Mount Toubkal in Morocco. His ultimate dream remains to climb Mount Everest someday. Both Frankie and Basia received praise from his schoolmates, who watched his journey on TV and commended his achievements. While his friends do not share the same enthusiasm for mountain climbing, Frankie continues to love the adventurous activity, despite it occasionally tiring his legs.