A renowned mountaineer from Co Down has died on a descent from Mt Annapurna in Nepal – the tenth highest peak in the world.
According to organisers in Nepal, Mr Hanna, from Dromara, “breathed his last in Camp IV last night”.
Mingma Sherpa, chairman at Seven Summit Treks, said efforts were being made to locate and bring the body of Mr Hanna back to base camp. They are also trying to locate missing Indian woman, Baljeet Kaur. Ms Kaur went missing near Camp IV while descending from the summit point.
On Monday, Mr Hanna became the first climber from the island of Ireland to summit Annapurna I (8,091m).
Tributes have been paid to Mr Hanna, a man who has scaled Mount Everest 10 times over, and set all sorts of records through the last 30 years.
Noel Hanna – Ireland’s greatest and most gracious mountaineer passed away on Annapurna today. He generously gave of his time to help me and many, many others climbers. Sympathies to his wife, family and friends. RIP. pic.twitter.com/5XCYOuN8uh
— Jonathan Ruane (@jonruane) April 18, 2023
Robbie Marsh, owner of Mourne Mountain Adventures, said: “Very saddened to hear of the passing of Noel Hanna this morning. Local to the Mournes, Noel was the first person from Ireland to successfully climb K2, and astonishingly he climbed the summit of Everest 10 times.
“There is some peace in that he spent his last moments doing what he loved best, such a great man and one of N.Ireland’s finest Mountaineers.
“I had the pleasure of interviewing Noel on two occasions, he will be greatly missed by all that knew him.
“My condolences go out to his wife Lunn and the rest of his family, RIP Noel.”
