Ger McDonnell: Difference between revisions
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'''Gerard McDonnell''' (20 January 1971 – 2 August 2008), [[Mountaineering|mountaineer]] and engineer, was the first Irish person to reach the [[Summit (topography)|summit]] of [[K2]],<ref name="bbc">{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7539069.stm|title=K2 climber missing after ice fall|date=2 August 2008|accessdate=12 August 2008|publisher=[[BBC]]}}</ref> the second-[[List of highest mountains|highest]] mountain on [[Earth]], in August 2008. He lost his life along with ten other mountaineers following an [[avalanche]] on the descent,<ref name = everestnews>{{cite web|url=http://www.everestnews.com/pak2008/k22008sadnews081020080101.htm|title=K2 2008: List of climbers who passed away released|author=everestnews.com|publisher=everestnews.com}}</ref> in the worst single accident in the [[K2#Climbing history|history of K2 mountaineering]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/7539543.stm |title= Eleven climbers feared dead on K2 |accessdate=6 August 2008 |work= |publisher=BBC News |date=3 August 2008}}</ref><ref>The most deadly climbing ''season'' on K2 was in 1986, when thirteen climbers died in seven separate accidents. See {{cite book |title=K2: The Story of the Savage Mountain|last=Curran|first=Jim|authorlink=|coauthors=|year=1995 |publisher=Hodder & Stoughton|location= |isbn=978-0-340-66007-2|pages=183–207}}</ref> |
'''Gerard McDonnell''' (20 January 1971 – 2 August 2008), [[Mountaineering|mountaineer]] and engineer, was the first Irish person to reach the [[Summit (topography)|summit]] of [[K2]],<ref name="bbc">{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7539069.stm|title=K2 climber missing after ice fall|date=2 August 2008|accessdate=12 August 2008|publisher=[[BBC]]}}</ref> the second-[[List of highest mountains|highest]] mountain on [[Earth]], in August 2008. He lost his life along with ten other mountaineers following an [[avalanche]] on the descent,<ref name = everestnews>{{cite web|url=http://www.everestnews.com/pak2008/k22008sadnews081020080101.htm|title=K2 2008: List of climbers who passed away released|author=everestnews.com|publisher=everestnews.com}}</ref> in the worst single accident in the [[K2#Climbing history|history of K2 mountaineering]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/7539543.stm |title= Eleven climbers feared dead on K2 |accessdate=6 August 2008 |work= |publisher=BBC News |date=3 August 2008}}</ref><ref>The most deadly climbing ''season'' on K2 was in 1986, when thirteen climbers died in seven separate accidents. See {{cite book |title=K2: The Story of the Savage Mountain|last=Curran|first=Jim|authorlink=|coauthors=|year=1995 |publisher=Hodder & Stoughton|location= |isbn=978-0-340-66007-2|pages=183–207}}</ref> |
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McDonnell was born in [[Kilcornan]], [[County Limerick]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0803/mcdonnellg.html|title=Limerick man presumed dead in Himalayas|date=3 August 2008|accessdate=12 August 2008|publisher=[[Raidió Teilifís Éireann|RTÉ]]}}</ref> A decade before his K2 success, he had moved to [[Anchorage]], [[Alaska]]. He hoped not only to work there but also to develop his skills as a mountaineer. McDonnell was well known in Anchorage's [[Irish diaspora|Irish community]]. Among his interests was playing the [[bodhrán]] in a band. He was described as a "philosopher" and a "great [[Storytelling|storyteller]]".<ref name = "Irish Echo Online">{{cite web|url=http://www.irishecho.com/newspaper/story.cfm?id=18790|title=Lost on K2: Irish climber had made his home in Alaska|date=6 August 2008|accessdate=12 August 2008|publisher=''[[The Irish Echo]]''}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> McDonnell |
McDonnell was born in [[Kilcornan]], [[County Limerick]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0803/mcdonnellg.html|title=Limerick man presumed dead in Himalayas|date=3 August 2008|accessdate=12 August 2008|publisher=[[Raidió Teilifís Éireann|RTÉ]]}}</ref> A decade before his K2 success, he had moved to [[Anchorage]], [[Alaska]]. He hoped not only to work there but also to develop his skills as a mountaineer. McDonnell was well known in Anchorage's [[Irish diaspora|Irish community]]. Among his interests was playing the [[bodhrán]] in a band. He was described as a "philosopher" and a "great [[Storytelling|storyteller]]".<ref name = "Irish Echo Online">{{cite web|url=http://www.irishecho.com/newspaper/story.cfm?id=18790|title=Lost on K2: Irish climber had made his home in Alaska|date=6 August 2008|accessdate=12 August 2008|publisher=''[[The Irish Echo]]''}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> McDonnell summited [[Mount Everest]] with Mick Murphy in 2003. He was unsuccessful during an earlier attempt on K2 in 2006 when he was hit by a rock and airlifted to hospital.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/family-seek-explanation-for-what-went-wrong-1446615.html|title=Family seek explanation for what went wrong|date=5 August 2008|accessdate=12 August 2008|publisher=''[[Irish Independent]]''}}</ref> [[President of Ireland|Irish President]], [[Mary McAleese]] was among the dignitaries to pay tribute to him following his successful Everest climb in 2003 and in 2008 following his death.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/family-mourns-loss-of-k2-climber-1445962.html|title=Family mourns loss of K2 climber|date=4 August 2008|accessdate=12 August 2008|publisher=''[[Irish Independent]]''}}</ref> |
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McDonnell's group had been on a mammoth expedition for eight weeks, surviving in sub-zero temperatures. In an online despatch, he said that after the team set 31 July as their date for the summit bid, spirits were high. "Let luck and good fortune prevail, fingers crossed," he wrote.<ref name="bbc"/> However, following the avalanche, a [[serac]] fell, cutting all the fixed lines on his and his fellow members of the Dutch-led Norit K2 Expedition's<ref name="Irish Echo Online"/> path. |
McDonnell's group had been on a mammoth expedition for eight weeks, surviving in sub-zero temperatures. In an online despatch, he said that after the team set 31 July as their date for the summit bid, spirits were high. "Let luck and good fortune prevail, fingers crossed," he wrote.<ref name="bbc"/> However, following the avalanche, a [[serac]] fell, cutting all the fixed lines on his and his fellow members of the Dutch-led Norit K2 Expedition's<ref name="Irish Echo Online"/> path. |
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It was said by the surviving members of McDonnell's team that he refused to descend because he was helping the others that were injured. Expedition leader [[Wilco van Rooijen]], a 40-year-old Dutch climber who was airlifted to a military hospital in [[Pakistan]] after surviving the accident, said that poor preparations had contributed to the disaster. He suggested that advance climbers laid ropes in the wrong places on the mountain, hampering the climb of several teams of mountaineers and ultimately contributing to deaths of three of the climbers on his team. "Everything was going well to camp four, and on summit attempt, everything went wrong," said van Rooijen from his hospital bed in the [[Northern Areas (Pakistan)|Northern Pakistan]]i town of [[Skardu]]. "The biggest mistake we made was that we tried to make agreements. Everybody had his own responsibility and then some people did not do what they promised. With such stupid things, lives are endangered." He singled out another team for only bringing half the length of rope they were supposed to.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/mistakes-on-mountain-led-to-tragic-deaths-1446535.html|title=Mistakes on mountain led to tragic deaths|date=5 August 2008|accessdate=12 August 2008|publisher=''[[Irish Independent]]''}}</ref> Ger McDonnell's [[satellite phone]] was given to Pemba on the summit and he brought it along with |
It was said by the surviving members of McDonnell's team that he refused to descend because he was helping the others that were injured. Expedition leader [[Wilco van Rooijen]], a 40-year-old Dutch climber who was airlifted to a military hospital in [[Pakistan]] after surviving the accident, said that poor preparations had contributed to the disaster. He suggested that advance climbers laid ropes in the wrong places on the mountain, hampering the climb of several teams of mountaineers and ultimately contributing to deaths of three of the climbers on his team. "Everything was going well to camp four, and on summit attempt, everything went wrong," said van Rooijen from his hospital bed in the [[Northern Areas (Pakistan)|Northern Pakistan]]i town of [[Skardu]]. "The biggest mistake we made was that we tried to make agreements. Everybody had his own responsibility and then some people did not do what they promised. With such stupid things, lives are endangered." He singled out another team for only bringing half the length of rope they were supposed to.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/mistakes-on-mountain-led-to-tragic-deaths-1446535.html|title=Mistakes on mountain led to tragic deaths|date=5 August 2008|accessdate=12 August 2008|publisher=''[[Irish Independent]]''}}</ref> Ger McDonnell's [[satellite phone]] was given to Pemba on the summit and he brought it along with McDonnell's camera back to base camp.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7539506.stm|title=Irish K2 mountaineer feared dead|date=3 August 2008|accessdate=12 August 2008|publisher=[[BBC]]}}</ref> Mr McDonnell's partner, brother JJ and sister Denise flew to [[Islamabad]] in search of answers. Whilst McDonnell's body was not recovered, a memorial service was held in Kilcornan on 17 August 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/last-survivor-hears-of-tragedy-after-arrival-at-k2-base-camp-1447474.html|title=Last survivor hears of tragedy after arrival at K2 base camp|date=6 August 2008|accessdate=12 August 2008|publisher=''[[Irish Independent]]''}}</ref> |
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McDonnell's mother, brother, partner, van Rooijen and [[Pat Falvey]] later appeared on ''[[The Late Late Show]]'' on 3 October 2008. In 2009, a memorial fund was set up in his honour to provide first-aid training and safe climbing technique for high-altitude porters.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/memorial-fund-honours-heroic-climber-1763746.html|title=Memorial fund honours heroic climber|date=6 June 2009|accessdate=6 June 2009|publisher=''[[Irish Independent]]''}}</ref> |
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| ⚫ | In 2012, Damien O'Brien (married to McDonnell's sister Denise), wrote a book about McDonnell, "The Time Has Come: Ger McDonnell – His Life & Death on K2", published by The Collins Press. The book was launched in McDonnell's hometown of Kilcornan, County Limerick, on Friday 30 March with most of the town in attendance. Mike Barry, the first Irish person to walk to the South Pole, officially launched the book while others in attendance included Clare O'Leary, Wilco van Rooijen, Cas van der Gevel and Maarten van Eck. |
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Ger's former [[Dublin City University|DCU]] Electronic Engineering college classmates established a Living Trust in memory of Ger and are seeking donations via the [http://www.dcu.ie/trust/gift.shtml DCU Educational Trust]. |
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| ⚫ | In 2012, Damien O'Brien (married to |
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==References== |
==References== |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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* [http://www.phiodyssey.com/k2008 "Norit K2 Expedition 2008"] — Alternative K2 2008 expedition website in English, includes Ger's expedition blog |
* [http://www.phiodyssey.com/k2008 "Norit K2 Expedition 2008"] — Alternative K2 2008 expedition website in English, includes Ger's expedition blog |
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*[http://www.limerickcity.ie/Library/LocalStudies/LocalStudiesFiles/S/SportsPeople// ''Ger McDonnell in 'Sports People' file at Limerick City Library, Ireland''] |
* [http://www.limerickcity.ie/Library/LocalStudies/LocalStudiesFiles/S/SportsPeople// ''Ger McDonnell in 'Sports People' file at Limerick City Library, Ireland''] |
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| ⚫ | |||
{{Persondata |
{{Persondata |
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Revision as of 09:28, 5 January 2014
Gerard McDonnell | |
|---|---|
| Born | 20 January 1971 Kilcornan, County Limerick, Ireland |
| Died | 2 August 2008 (aged 37) |
| Occupation(s) | Mountaineer, engineer |
Gerard McDonnell (20 January 1971 – 2 August 2008), mountaineer and engineer, was the first Irish person to reach the summit of K2,[1] the second-highest mountain on Earth, in August 2008. He lost his life along with ten other mountaineers following an avalanche on the descent,[2] in the worst single accident in the history of K2 mountaineering.[3][4]
McDonnell was born in Kilcornan, County Limerick.[5] A decade before his K2 success, he had moved to Anchorage, Alaska. He hoped not only to work there but also to develop his skills as a mountaineer. McDonnell was well known in Anchorage's Irish community. Among his interests was playing the bodhrán in a band. He was described as a "philosopher" and a "great storyteller".[6] McDonnell summited Mount Everest with Mick Murphy in 2003. He was unsuccessful during an earlier attempt on K2 in 2006 when he was hit by a rock and airlifted to hospital.[7] Irish President, Mary McAleese was among the dignitaries to pay tribute to him following his successful Everest climb in 2003 and in 2008 following his death.[8]
McDonnell's group had been on a mammoth expedition for eight weeks, surviving in sub-zero temperatures. In an online despatch, he said that after the team set 31 July as their date for the summit bid, spirits were high. "Let luck and good fortune prevail, fingers crossed," he wrote.[1] However, following the avalanche, a serac fell, cutting all the fixed lines on his and his fellow members of the Dutch-led Norit K2 Expedition's[6] path.
It was said by the surviving members of McDonnell's team that he refused to descend because he was helping the others that were injured. Expedition leader Wilco van Rooijen, a 40-year-old Dutch climber who was airlifted to a military hospital in Pakistan after surviving the accident, said that poor preparations had contributed to the disaster. He suggested that advance climbers laid ropes in the wrong places on the mountain, hampering the climb of several teams of mountaineers and ultimately contributing to deaths of three of the climbers on his team. "Everything was going well to camp four, and on summit attempt, everything went wrong," said van Rooijen from his hospital bed in the Northern Pakistani town of Skardu. "The biggest mistake we made was that we tried to make agreements. Everybody had his own responsibility and then some people did not do what they promised. With such stupid things, lives are endangered." He singled out another team for only bringing half the length of rope they were supposed to.[9] Ger McDonnell's satellite phone was given to Pemba on the summit and he brought it along with McDonnell's camera back to base camp.[10] Mr McDonnell's partner, brother JJ and sister Denise flew to Islamabad in search of answers. Whilst McDonnell's body was not recovered, a memorial service was held in Kilcornan on 17 August 2008.[11]
McDonnell's mother, brother, partner, van Rooijen and Pat Falvey later appeared on The Late Late Show on 3 October 2008. In 2009, a memorial fund was set up in his honour to provide first-aid training and safe climbing technique for high-altitude porters.[12]
In 2012, Damien O'Brien (married to McDonnell's sister Denise), wrote a book about McDonnell, "The Time Has Come: Ger McDonnell – His Life & Death on K2", published by The Collins Press. The book was launched in McDonnell's hometown of Kilcornan, County Limerick, on Friday 30 March with most of the town in attendance. Mike Barry, the first Irish person to walk to the South Pole, officially launched the book while others in attendance included Clare O'Leary, Wilco van Rooijen, Cas van der Gevel and Maarten van Eck.
References
- ^ a b "K2 climber missing after ice fall". BBC. 2 August 2008. Retrieved 12 August 2008.
- ^ everestnews.com. "K2 2008: List of climbers who passed away released". everestnews.com.
- ^ "Eleven climbers feared dead on K2". BBC News. 3 August 2008. Retrieved 6 August 2008.
- ^ The most deadly climbing season on K2 was in 1986, when thirteen climbers died in seven separate accidents. See Curran, Jim (1995). K2: The Story of the Savage Mountain. Hodder & Stoughton. pp. 183–207. ISBN 978-0-340-66007-2.
{{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ "Limerick man presumed dead in Himalayas". RTÉ. 3 August 2008. Retrieved 12 August 2008.
- ^ a b "Lost on K2: Irish climber had made his home in Alaska". The Irish Echo. 6 August 2008. Retrieved 12 August 2008.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) [dead link] - ^ "Family seek explanation for what went wrong". Irish Independent. 5 August 2008. Retrieved 12 August 2008.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "Family mourns loss of K2 climber". Irish Independent. 4 August 2008. Retrieved 12 August 2008.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "Mistakes on mountain led to tragic deaths". Irish Independent. 5 August 2008. Retrieved 12 August 2008.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "Irish K2 mountaineer feared dead". BBC. 3 August 2008. Retrieved 12 August 2008.
- ^ "Last survivor hears of tragedy after arrival at K2 base camp". Irish Independent. 6 August 2008. Retrieved 12 August 2008.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "Memorial fund honours heroic climber". Irish Independent. 6 June 2009. Retrieved 6 June 2009.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help)
Book: The Time Has Come – Ger McDonnell His Life & His Death on K2 Book: "Surviving K2" by Wilco van Rooijen (one of the survivors). Publisher: National Geographic. See: www.survivingk2.com
Articles
- "Ger died doing what he loved: touching the void" — Mountaineer Pat Falvey writes comments in the Irish Independent, 4 August 2008
- "Dreamers who risk death to feel most alive" — Derek Fanning writes for the Irish Independent, 10 August 2008
External links
- "Norit K2 Expedition 2008" — Alternative K2 2008 expedition website in English, includes Ger's expedition blog
- Ger McDonnell in 'Sports People' file at Limerick City Library, Ireland
- Gerard McDonnell Memorial Fund