Tom Halton

Tom Halton (born June 2005) is a British mountaineer from Redcar in North Yorkshire. He is best known for being the youngest person in the world to solo climb Ama Dablam, one of the most technically challenging mountains in Nepal. He achieved this feat at 20 years old on 23 April 2026 during his third attempt on the mountain. Halton is recognised as part of a new generation of climbers pushing the boundaries of solo and lightweight ascents in the Himalayas.

Climbing Career

Tom Halton began mountaineering at an early age on family trips to Glencoe in the Scottish Highlands. He soon progressed onto Scottish winter climbing.

In April 2025, whilst 19 years old, Halton made his first solo attempt on Ama Dablam. The attempt ended only 100 metres short of the summit after he fell into and then climbed out of a crevasse. His second attempt, in October 2025, ended due to bad weather caused by Cyclone Montha.

In April 2026, Tom Halton returned to Ama Dablam and this time he was successful and reached the summit on 23 April at 11am (Nepal time). At 20 years old, Halton's achievement had broke the world record for the youngest solo summit of Ama Dablam. The achievement was described by Makalu Adventure as "an inspiring example of perseverance and determination". The previous record was held by Jost Kobusch, who was 22 years old at the time of his ascent in 2014. Reaching the summit of Ama Dablam marked Halton's 5th ascent of a 6,000m mountain.

Halton has also made multiple successful ascents of Mont Blanc and Matterhorn.