Noel Hanna, who is regarded as one of the top Irish mountaineers, has passed away after summiting one of the highest mountains in the world.
While many consider Everest one of the most challenging climbs, County Down’s Noel Hanna took it in his stride and had previously summited the world’s highest mountain ten times.
Well-known as a true climbing legend, with plenty of expeditions under his belt, Noel was on his way down from the world’s tenth-highest mountain when things turned fatal.
Noel Hanna – a renowned Irish mountaineer dies after summiting Annapurna
Having summited Annapurna, the tenth-highest mountain in the world, located in the Gandaki Province of Nepal, Noel Hanna was found dead inside his tent at Camp IV – the final camp before the summit.
The mountaineer took on the challenge of summiting the 8,090 m (26,545 ft) peak without the support of oxygen and was certainly no stranger to taking on the world’s highest peaks.
In 2018, Hanna became the first person from the island of Ireland to have summitted the deadly K2 Mountain, which is notorious for being extremely dangerous. Since then, he has continued with his beloved expeditions.
His sister recently told the media that Noel “lived for the mountains” and that her brother’s body would be returned to the Mourne Mountains in County Down, where his climbing career had first begun.
Tributes paid to local legend – Noel Hanna lived for mountaineering
The 56-year-old climber, who originates from County Down, Northern Ireland, was known as a legend for his endless expeditions.
Fellow Irish mountaineer Pat Falvey paid tribute to Noel, stating, “We have lost one of the best”, but added that it’s not called the death zone for nothing – but for Noel, “the mountains were his cathedrals”.
Hanna, who had scaled the peak last week, died on his way down and is thought to have taken his last breath in his tent before being found and airlifted to Kathmandu the following morning.
He has been described as “an inspirational figure from the climbing community” and someone who just “normalised climbing 8,000m mountains”.
Noel is also renowned for having helped countless other mountaineers summit mountains across the globe and competing in sporting events.
He had previously summited Mount Everest with his wife in 2009 and 2016, having scaled the world’s tallest mountain from both sides.
Laid to rest – Noel Hanna’s body to return to County Down
The legend who inspired others to quit their jobs and follow their dreams will be laid to rest in County Down in the coming days.
His body recovered from his tent at the final camp and is due to undergo a postmortem before being flown home to his last resting place.
The climber, known to have been very modest and humble regarding his incredible achievements, has inspired many other mountaineers in Ireland and across the globe.
Mourne Mountains Adventures, based in Kilkeel, paid their condolences, saying, “There is some peace in that he spent his last moments doing what he loved best, such a great man and one of Northern Ireland’s finest Mountaineers”.
People everywhere will remember his legacy as being a true inspiration to climbers all over the world.
