Everest diaries: Johnny Ward reaches summit after 'brutal' climb

Galway-born Johnny Ward is documenting his 50-day journey to the top of Everest, the highest mountain peak in the world, weekly on irishexaminer.com.

Johnny Ward takes a selfie on the last leg of his journey up the highest mountain in the world

I did it. I summited Everest.

I’m absolutely wrecked — I just got a helicopter from base camp to a small village, and then to another village where we got stuck due to fog — but we’re finally in Kathmandu. I also have frostbite on the side of my face.