THE brave attempt by a Glenelg man to climb Mt Everest and honour the adventurous nature of his paralysed aunty has been abandoned in dramatic circumstances.

James Smith was evacuated down the world’s highest mountain on Wednesday morning — from a peak of 7000m (23,000ft) — with his health deteriorating rapidly.

Posting on Facebook, James’ father Greg Smith said his son had been ascending well towards the summit at 8848m but after his health took a turn for the worse he was placed on oxygen and taken down the mountain to Everest base camp.

Even then his condition became worse.

He said the 26-year-old was facing three major health issues and was under strict medical supervision by the Himalayan Rescue Association.

media_camera James Smith has been forced to abandon his Mt Everest climb. Pic Keryn Stevens

“James is devastated he didn’t conquer his goal but he is also grateful to be alive and grateful to the rescue party that came to his aid. More updates in the days to come.” he wrote.

Mr Smith’s attempt to climb Everest is documented in a series of articles and photographs on his Facebook page ‘Jimmy is going to Everest.’

His commitment to climb the mountain was to fulfil a promise to his aunty, Tanya Carter, who was renowned for her sense of adventure before being diagnosed with the rare locked-in syndrome after a routine operation to remove her tonsils.

Mrs Carter, 44, who had an allergic reaction to anaesthetic during an operation in August 2014 and suffered an undetected stroke, is paralysed aside from a small amount of movement in her eyes and is unable to communicate.

She spent 11 months at the Flinders Medical Centre before being transferred to Barton House in North Adelaide last August, a specialised unit that houses six residents living with physical disabilities acquired through brain injuries.

“The first thing I thought when I wanted to climb Everest was I’d love to just get ... some really good photos for her and actually create a movie about my climb to give her something to watch,” Mr Smith said during an interview with The Advertiser in January.

“I want to show her that I have actually taken her advice.”