Everest Calling

On 27 May 1993 Dawson Stelfox became the first Irish person to reach the summit of Everest, following the route first attempted by Mallory and Irvine in 1924. This updated edition of the 1994 account recalls that groundbreaking success. It also chronicles many achievements since, including the first Everest success by an Irishwoman, Clare O'Leary, and Pat Falvey's ascents by two different routes. In 2012, Irishman Noel Hanna completed his fifth Everest ascent. Other highlights include ascents of Lhotse, Cho Oyu, Kanchenjunga, Broad Peak and K2. Mike Barry became the first Irish person to walk to the South Pole, and an Irish crew completed the first east-west circumnavigation of the Arctic in a small yacht. Members of the first Everest expedition still climb and Irish adventurers continue to attempt objectives such as the North Pole on foot. In conclusion, the book reflects on the perspectives of the original eight climbers and on how a trend towards success at the expense of challenge, coupled with commercialisation of sport, has left its mark on the Himalaya.

Lorna Siggins is western correspondent of The Irish Times, based in Galway. A journalist with wide experience of reporting on and participating in adventure sports, she has been to altitude in the Himalayas and covered the 1993 Irish Everest expedition for The Irish Times. Dermot Somers is a writer, broadcaster and mountaineer. A member of the Irish Everest Expedition 1993, he has presented travel and adventure programmes for TG4 and RTE, including a series on great nomadic journeys of the world. His award-winning writing has been published in English and Irish.