Culture
18 Apr 23

Noel Hanna, first Irish person to climb Mount Annapurna and K2, has passed away

Noel Hanna. Photo courtesy of Mourne Mountain Adventures

10 times Mount Everest climber Noel Hanna passed away after becoming the first Irish person to scale the 10th highest point in the world, Nepal’s Mount Annapurna.

Noel Hanna, Northern Ireland rock climber, lost his life while climbing the 10th highest mountain in the world, Nepal’s Mount Annapurna.

Hanna was an accomplished climber by scaling Mount Everest 10 times in addition to becoming the first person from Ireland to successfully climb the mountain of K2.

The climber is said to have died after climbing down from the summit of Mount Annapurna and heading to Camp IV. Seven Summit Treks chairmen Mingma Sherpa declared that the climber “breathed his last breath."

Baljeet Kaur, an Indian woman, with an impressive list of climbing accomplishments has been reported missing as well near Camp IV.

Two additional Indian climbers went missing on Monday, but they have been rescued by Nepali searchers.

Jonathan Ruane, another climber, shared his reaction to the shocking news. Ruane stated, “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.”

Irish Seven Summits shared the impressive feats of Hanna before he was found to be dead. The rock climber was the first Irish person to reach the top of Annapurna.

MLA of Lagan Valley, Sorcha Eastwood, shared, “Desperately sad news coming through about Noel Hanna, a renowned athlete & adventurer.

“My thoughts & prayers are with the entire Hanna family circle at this difficult time, the community of Dromara who have lost a very special son & the mountaineering community whom he so loved.”

The Irish Seven Summits page also shared a heartfelt message after news of the Northern Irish climber’s passing was released. “RIP Noel. I don't know what to say. This is shocking and heartbreaking. Thinking of Lynne and remembering an awesome guy today.”

Mourne Mountain Adventures stated, "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."