Helen Clark, the New Zealand prime minister, said: "To reach the summit of Everest is a once in a lifetime achievement, but for Mark Inglis it will be even more satisfying. He has said it was a childhood dream to stand on the roof of the world, but he thought he had lost it when he lost his legs."
Miss Clark, a keen amateur climber, added that Mr Inglis had sent a signal to others with disabilities "that your ambitions should never be limited".