An Alpine man has just completed his ascent of the Mt. Everest summit.

Greg Paul is at Camp 2 resting following his Thursday night ascent (Utah time). On his descent he will cross through the hazardous Ice Falls one last time while making his way to Base Camp.

“I will definitely sleep better after that,” his wife, Billie Paul, said.

According to Ortho Development Corporation in Draper, Paul, 61, is the first known climber to conquer Everest — the highest mountain on earth at 29,029 feet — with a double knee replacement. In contrast, three years ago, his arthritis was so severe he had trouble climbing stairs.

“For him to now have climbed the tallest mountain in the world is nothing short of amazing,” said Brent Bartholomew, president of Ortho Development. “Our congratulations also go out to doctors Marc Mariani and Benjamin Hansen from the Salt Lake Orthopaedic Clinic, along with all of the skilled healthcare professionals who assisted in Greg’s knee replacement surgeries.

“This is a monumental day for orthopedics and total joint replacement surgery.”

In a blog entry at gregclimbing.com titled “There and Back Again” with a time stamp of 2:17 p.m. Friday, Paul spoke of his achievement.

“I made it to the top of the world today and I am safe at Camp 2. I could not be happier and so tired at the same time,” Paul said. “Nawang and I were the first on top of the world on Friday the 13th the luckiest date of the year.”

His successful accomplishment came on Paul’s third attempt at reaching the summit. He also attempted the feat in 2012 and 2014, when avalanches and dangerous climbing conditions caused the expeditions to be canceled for the season.

On April 25, 2015, the Nepal earthquake killed thousands of people and 21 climbers died on Mt. Everest, making it the deadliest day in the mountain’s history.

Paul had his right knee replaced in 2008 and his left knee in 2012. Ortho Development manufactured his knee replacements and sponsored his Everest climb.

“To the best of my knowledge I will be the first person to attempt to climb Everest with two artificial knees,” Paul posted in his blog. “I want to be a role model for all those baby boomers who think or feel they are too old to pursue their passions and dreams. Where there is a will there is a way.”

He is co-founder and co-owner of Momentum Indoor Climbing Gym with three locations in Lehi, Salt Lake City and Sandy.

“Climbing Everest has turned into quite a journey for me,” Paul wrote. “The best thing that has come from that journey is an appreciation and concern for my Sherpa friends like my teammate Nawang, who has watched after me on four expeditions.”

Average climbers rely on sherpas to climb high-elevation peaks. While it provides them a living, it also puts their lives in peril, Paul said.

“My hope is to provide Sherpas like Nawang the means to pursue other employment options less risky than Everest that will allow them to still provide for their family,” Paul wrote.

“Feels very exhilarating right now. Thank everyone for their prayers. Nawang was my angel. He made the summit possible when everyone was thinking of turning around.”