Once Bitten, which has taken eight years to write, will be released in March and tells of Nigel's climb on Mount. McKinley in Alaska in 1999, when he suffered severe frostbite, losing his toes and the tops of fingers.

The book also tells of his recovery and how he readjusted to life afterwards.

Nigel, of Far Laund, said: "After my experience writing a book was always something I wanted to do.

"I kept a diary for 20 years and wherever I go I always write about my experiences and thoughts. When I couldn't write I ended up doing it with a tape recorder".

Once Bitten sees Nigel telling his story in his own words – what happened to him and how he survived the McKinley climb.

He said: "It's not very nice to go through what I've been through."

The book also chronicles what he has learnt from his adventures.
"It's my own thoughts, said Nigel. "I want to relay them to people in the hope that they can learn something from it."

Since Nigel's most well-known feat of climbing Mount McKinley, he has completed a number of other challenges, the most recent being a trip to Madagascar in October, 2007, where he reached the summit of Maromokotro.

This completed his Seven Mountains – Seven Island Challenge and made him the first British climber to conquer the seven tallest peaks on the world's seven largest islands.

While writing the book, Nigel was holding down a full time job as an electrical engineer. A career break gave him the time he needed to complete the story.

He has also been teaching in schools, giving outdoor experience workshops and talking about his adventures.

He is now deciding on his future plans. He said: "I'd like to continue teaching as working with children is a challenge but I'd also like to travel around the world."

Once Bitten will be available from Amazon and Nigel hopes to get it in bookshops in the area.

He will also be giving a presentation at Hazelwood Village Hall on March 1 about his travels to Ethiopia, South Africa and Madagascar.

Tickets are £3.50 and are available from The Camera Shop on Campbell Street in Belper.

Visit Nigel's website here.