DESCRIBED as the UK’s only ‘stand up mountaineer’ Andy Kirkpatrick is very much one on his own.

He has scaled Yosemite’s El Capitan — one of the hardest walls in America — more than 10 times, including two solo ascents in temperatures of minus 30 degrees.

And more recently he has found himself thrust into the role of public speaker and comedian.

But none of it is enough for the 38-year-old father-of-two, whose next challenge is set to be his toughest yet — a mammoth trek through Alaska to climb one of the hardest mountains in the world in temperatures of minus 280.

“I wouldn’t describe myself as an adrenaline junkie. It’s more the thrill of being able to conquer something — a bit like chasing after a lion,” said Andy, who was brought up in one of Britain’s flattest cities, Hull, and started climbing at aged five.

“Climbing was the only thing that ever really mattered and made any sense. I wasn’t great. I just started climbing harder and harder routes.”

Andy’s speciality is big wall climbing and winter expeditions, which involves pitting himself against vertical climbs of over 1000 metres, often in temperatures as low as minus 30 degrees.

A few near-death experiences and the deaths of two of his mountaineering friends, who died ascending the very same rocks he has faced, haven’t tempered his passion.

He added: “There have been times when I thought ‘this is it’ but it didn’t scare me. I was more overcome by a sense of disappointment .

“The hardest thing is that my kids are 11 and nine and they know that I might not come home from one of my trips, but they understand that I can’t give it up.”

And quite accidentally Andy has recently found a new role as a storytelling comedian.

His stories have evolved into full-scale shows, where he illustrates tales of his journeys with images and film footage.

“I started out just telling stories to my mates in the pub, then it took off from there.

"And three years ago I started my own tour. I decided ordinary people would enjoy my stories, not just those interested in climbing.

“I thought I was quite shy but something clicks when I’m on stage and I change into a different person.

“It wasn’t intended to be seen as a comedy. It has happened accidentally. I like to tell tales of the things that go wrong, not just when I’ve been successful, and sometimes I get carried away and blurt out things that I shouldn’t have.”

His children are huge fans of his events, attending most of his shows and even appearing on stage with him.

“They are quite adventurous as well,” Andy went on. “I have taken them kayaking across Scotland and climbing, they have slept in all sorts of weird and wonderful places.”

Andy has also worked in film and TV as a stunt safety advisor — his most famous work being protecting Johnny Depp from falling into a river of chocolate in the 2005 remake of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

“I like to tell people I saved Johnny Depp’s life,” he laughed.

“I guess I did in a way because I stopped him being injured. He was really nice and it was great fun to do, but very surreal.”

As he prepares for his next challenge, we want to know what drives the man who calls himself Hull’s second best living climber (after the deceased John Redhead).

Andy said: “I haven’t climbed Everest, skied to the poles, nor sailed single-handed around the world.

"The goals I set out to accomplish aren’t easily measured or quantified by world records or ‘firsts’.

"The reasons I climb, and the climbs I do, are about more than distance or altitude. They are about breaking barriers within myself.”

l Andy Kirkpatrick, Off the Wall — King George’s Hall, Blackburn, Saturday October 9. Tickets £12.50 from the box office on 0844 8471664. The show comes to The Dukes, Lancaster, on Saturday, December 4. Call 01524 598500.