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Family of Irish K2 mountaineer seek explanation for what went wrong

Tuesday, 5 August 2008

Gerard McDonnell in his element as he leads a group of explorers across South Georgia during a previous expedition

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The partner and brother of mountaineer Gerard McDonnell will fly to Pakistan later this week to meet the leader of the ill-fated K2 expedition and try to piece together the Irishman's last moments on the mountain.

Mr McDonnell (37), from Kilcornan, Co Limerick, was one of 11 mountaineers who died following an ice avalanche in the early hours of Saturday morning as they descended from the summit.

He had become the first Irish person to scale the 8,611-metre K2 mountain.

Annie Starkey, Mr McDonnell's partner, is currently travelling from the couple's home in Alaska to Limerick to meet with his family. She is expected to travel on to Islamabad on Thursday or Friday with Mr McDonnell's brother, JJ.

Adventurer and family friend Pat Falvey said a meeting was being arranged in the Pakistani capital Islamabad for JJ and Ms Starky.

"Our thing at the moment is that some family members will be going to Pakistan hoping to meet up with the expedition leader of Ger's team, Wilco Van Rooijen," he said.

"Arrangements will be made to have a debriefing session, hopefully in Islamabad.

"We have asked the Dutch team to gather statements so we can put together the puzzle of who fell where and how, and which climbers were with each other."

It is understood that one mountaineer saw Mr McDonnell fall from K2, but it has not been confirmed if he was swept off when the serac -- a pillar or column of ice -- broke loose and created an avalanche or if he fell while trying to free-climb down because the serac had torn away the fixed climbing lines.

Mr Falvey said Mr McDonnell's belongings from base camp are being packed to be returned to his family in Ireland. Preparations for a memorial service for Mr McDonnell, whose body is not expected to be found, are under way.

"The family are holding up well and are very proud of Ger's achievement and are still in total shock in relation to the fact that he may not be coming back," Mr Falvey said.

"At high altitude, at over 8,000 metres, it is too dangerous to mount a rescue to have the bodies returned."

Pakistani authorities yesterday confirmed that 11 climbers were dead, but rescuers were unsure whether anyone else was missing. Among the dead were three Koreans, two Nepalis, two Pakistani high altitude porters, climbers from France, Serbia and Norway, and Mr McDonnell.

Tributes were paid to Mr McDonnell -- who had been working in Alaska as an oil company engineer for the past 10 years -- by President Mary McAleese and Arts Minister Martin Cullen yesterday.

Ms McAleese, who personally met Mr McDonnell earlier this year following a previous expedition to the South Pole, expressed her sympathies at the "truly heartbreaking" events.

Postings on Irish website forums paid tribute to Mr McDonnell yesterday, calling him one of the country's greatest ever climbers.

One, on munsterfans.com, hailed him as "one of Limerick's great unheralded sons".

It added: "Been following his progress on various mountains for about five years and this news is incredibly saddening."

Another said: "Just off to Mass. Will light a candle."

Mr McDonnell took a hurley with him when he climbed Everest in 2003, returning afterwards to a hero's welcome at Cork Airport.

Known to his friends as Ger, Mr McDonnell was forced to abandon an earlier attempt to climb K2 in 2006 when he was hit by a rock and was airlifted to hospital.

His family attended a special Mass on Sunday and will hold a memorial service for the engineer when his partner and brother have returned from Pakistan.

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I was a friend of Gerard's in Alaska, where we were in a traditional Irish band together. The other posts have covered most of what I would add myself, and it was heartening to see so many eloquent postings from those who knew him. I wish to simply add that Gerard McDonnell was as noble a human being as ever existed, and because of that our mourning is all the more amplified. He is no doubt singing in his lovely voice and playing the bodhrán in a better place now.

Posted by Dan Possumato, Portland, Oregon USA | 07.08.08, 01:47 GMT

I am orginally from Kilcornan and knew Ger as we grew up on the GAA fields of Kilcornan and later would meet briefly as we passed through different stages of life in Dublin, Cork and beyond.

I have read the tributes and can only concur with them as Ger personified life and the living of it. Life passing permaturely is always sad and in such a case with Ger, it is sadder. The one consolation in all of this is Ger passed on in where he found great joy and happiness and for this, one must be grateful.

May Ger rest in peace; keep smiling. My thoughts are with his Mum, partner, faimly and friends. God bless!

Posted by Liam, Dublin | 06.08.08, 11:56 GMT

I went to school with ger in askeaton he is a great man he was clever, witty and a friend to everyone at school, I am going to keep praying for a miracle, they happen. God be with him and his family and annie at this time. sharon

Posted by sharon, askeaton, ireland | 06.08.08, 08:28 GMT

God bless his soul. Gerard is in a better place now. My sympathies to his family and friends

Posted by Alex | 05.08.08, 20:22 GMT

Many of Gerard's friends and fellow musicians were gathered here in Anchorage, Alaska, on Friday and Saturday for an annual Irish music festival and celebration when news came of the catastrophe on K2. We carried on, as we believe Gerard would have wanted, playing the music he loved and played with such passion, but our spirits grew ever heavier as the hours passed. Each of us carries in our hearts bits of the joy and laughter Gerard so freely shared. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones. He is sorely missed. I am grateful he was part of our lives and our community.

Dave Millen, Anchorage

Posted by Dave Millen, Anchorage, Alaska | 05.08.08, 01:48 GMT

Congrats on making it to the top Gerard. We'll miss you and your music and your wit terribly. I hope wherever you are, and whatever you're doing, you've still got that twinkle in your eye.

My sincerest condolences to Gerard's family and friends...

Posted by Erin T, Fairbanks, AK | 05.08.08, 00:29 GMT

I worked with Gerard at Kuparuk Oil Field on the North Slope, Alaska. I knew him as a soft-spoken sincere guy with a ready smile and a perpetual shine in his eye. I had absolutely no idea what a giant of the climbing community he was as well.

I see now that the height of his character was exceeded only by the depth his humility. He'll be sorely missed indeed.

My heart goes out to his family.

Posted by Rodney Evans, Anchorage, USA | 04.08.08, 22:07 GMT

I have known and worked with Gerard for the past 2 years at the Kuparuk Field on the North Slope, Alaska. We loved the abundant energy and enthusiasm he brought to the office.

He endeared himself to everyone he met on the Slope what with his pleasant outlook, even on the coldest of an Arctic winter day. We all admired his everlasting smile, quiet composure, quick wit and charming personality.

When I saw him on-shift at Kuparuk just prior to his trip to K-2, we chatted about a popular book "Three Cups of Tea", which we had both recently read. I recall telling him that it must be quite fascinating to go to the very locations the book was based on. More fascintating are accounts of his life and adventures, most of which he kept modestly to himself. A life well lived and exemplified indeed!

Our thoughts and prayers go to his family, his partner and those close to him in the mountaneering world. Let us hold out for a miracle.
God bless!
Jay Murali

Posted by Jay Murali | 04.08.08, 19:45 GMT

Rest in peace Ger what a wonderful person always a big smile across his face a story to tell and a joy to be around, and now a well deserved place in history.

Posted by Fiona Hanley, Gillingham | 04.08.08, 13:30 GMT

It is with the greatest sadness I write. Many years ago in another lifetime I was engaged to Gerard's brother JJ and lived with Gerard and his lovely family in Ireland. I have followed Gerard's career with great pride from the other side of the world. My prayers are with his family and partner. I know their strong faith will see them through this most terrible tragedy. I was shocked and wept at the news. Its many years since I've seen Gerard but I can still picture his warm smile across the kitchen table as I helped him with his biology homework. I pray that God's comfort comes swift.

Posted by Carol, Gold Coast QLD, Australia | 04.08.08, 13:10 GMT

How sad for your wonderful country and people. I was so happy an Irishman had made it to the top. Maybe a miracle will occur.

Posted by Cait Sullivan, California, USA | 04.08.08, 06:23 GMT

Hello, I work in Alaska and knew Gerard - He was a good friend and I feel proud to have known him!! We exchanged stories of things we have done and places we had been. I always enjoyed hearing of Ireland and really liked his accent. He was a good man and will be missed dearly.
I am sorry for your loss
Eric

Posted by Eric Strand, Knoxville, USA | 03.08.08, 22:09 GMT

I really would like to believe he would be found, this heroic men, we are just following the news, from explorerweb and internet this incredible life experience..
these heros who just tailed behind their dreams gave us the perseverance and lots of expectations..for that reason I celebrate their families for that unbelievable achievement
our prayers are for all of the people whose status are unknown and also who are still on the montagne.
All we know, it is still dangerous for all of them

Posted by Nur, istanbul | 03.08.08, 19:53 GMT

Gerard has been our neighbor in Anchorage, AK, he will be missed. He was a great guy with a warm smile and laugh for everyone. I can still hear him laughing and telling stories, what a great story teller, his sense of humor was so uniquely "Gerard"... His achievements will be talked of for a long time to come. Many of us were affected by his kind spirit, and generosity, his soul shall endeavor within many people hearts. Rest Gerard, we love you.

Posted by Michael H, Elanor C | 03.08.08, 18:56 GMT