Irish women set sights on Everest challenge

A WEXFORD native and a Corkonian embark this month on separate attempts to become the first Irish woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest.

Marketing manager Bridget Rossiter-O’Flynn, from New Ross, Co Wexford, begins chasing her lifelong ambition today when her flight touches down in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal.

Later this month, Cork-born Clare O'Leary, a doctor based in Dublin's Beaumont Hospital, will fly out to begin her attempt. Ms Rossiter-O'Flynn raised €30,000 to finance the 29,000-foot climb, with the help of main sponsor Newbridge Silverware.

She has been in training for the mammoth feat for over a year, and will spend tomorrow checking her equipment at the foot of the Himalayas before tackling the three-week-long climb of Mount Pumori, which lies next to Everest, on Wednesday.

“After that, we will rest for a week and I hope to begin the climb of Everest on April 2. I’m just dying to get out there now,” she said.

Her husband Anthony O’Flynn is supporting her all the way and will be in constant contact with her via satellite phone.

She’s not put off by the chilling fact that one in six people who attempt to scale Everest die in the process.

“Anthony knows I’m very ambitious. We don’t have children. I’m the mother of two dogs.

The Wexford woman has already climbed Kilimanjaro twice and made it as far as Everest’s base camp last year.

“I’m very hopeful that I’ll make it. But if I fail, I won’t go back again.”

By contrast, Clare O'Leary is a woman who is going through it all again.

Last year, she was within sight of the summit but had to turn back after being hit by a stomach bug.

She returns later this month with a team of climbers led by veteran Pat Falvey.

“I think going back there knowing what is ahead will make me a lot more relaxed,” she said.