News update from Irish Seven Summits challenge from Mt Everest summiter Pat Falvey

Early this morning the Irish team of 17 climbers left their tents at camp 2 for their first Summit attempt on Aconcagua.

All of the team are doing well, and the conditions on the mountain are so far very good.

Team members include Mary Casey, Eoin Cleary, Gerry Cooke, John Delaney, Deirdre Harte, Martin Hennessy, Sheila Kavanagh, Richard McCarthy, Donal Mc Grath, John O'Mahony, Mark Orr, Joe Queally, Eanna Tynan, Gerry McDonnell, Katie O Connor, Dave Roche and Pat Falvey.

Everybody arrived safe and well in Mendoza after a non-eventful flight. There were a few bags missing but that is almost to be expected these days.

The team enjoyed 2 relaxing days arranging climbing permits, tracking the lost bags and clearing the many barrel’s shipped in advance containing the tents, stoves, food and many other pieces of expedition equipment. On December 30th the team left Mendoza for the mountain.

The 31st of December saw the team on their first days walking. Today gave us an unexpected and very welcome rain shower, and this shower cooled the temperatures for a while and made life a little easier. After we set up camp our Muleteers entertained us with a BBQ and Pat produced the wine and champagne necessary to ring in the New Year.

January 1st. Today began with a hangover like everywhere else in world. We had a very long walk but it was worth it when we got our first views of Aconcagua. The mountain was framed perfectly between the surrounding mountains.

January 2nd. Today we had another long day with big height gain to get to base camp. Base camp will be our home while on the mountain so we did our best to make it as comfortable as possible.

January 3rd. Today is a rest day. Yippee! tea and chocolate all day long.

January 4th. Today we did our first carry to camp 1 at 5000 metres. It was slow but great. We got our first glimpse of the Penitites, these amazing ice formations, found only in the Andes. Everyone is feeling well and looking forward to our rest day tomorrow.

January 5. Rest day today was spent organising our equipment and food for higher on the Mountain.

January 6th. Today we move to camp 1.

Pat Falvey, veteran expedition leader, Everest climber, author and motivational speaker. To book Pat Falvey on his 'AGAINST THE SKY' LECTURE TOUR. e-mail us at

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