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Everest Calling (1994) was an account of the first Irish ascent of Everest in 1993. On May 27, 1993 Dawson Stelfox became the first Irish person to reach the summit following the route used by Mallory and Irvine in 1924. That first success sparked off a fever of adventure. This updated edition recalls that groundbreaking success.
It also chronicles many exploits since, including the first Irishwoman to summit on Everest, Clare O'Leary, and Pat Falvey, who climbed it by two different routes. In 2012 Noel Hanna completed his fifth Everest ascent. Other highlights include ascents of Lhotse, Cho Oyu, Kanchenjunga, K2 and Broad Peak. Mike Barry became the first Irish person to walk to the South Pole while 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. In conclusion, the author reflects on the perspectives of the original eight climbers and on how a trend towards individual achievement, twinned with commercialisation of sport in western society, has left its own 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.
