Fall ends young Wexford woman’s Everest attempt
A serious fall in temperature to 30 degrees below zero left the gutsy marketing manager with two broken fingers and superficial injuries to one of her legs.
However, had she not fallen into a snow-covered crevasse on Saturday on her return to advance base camp, 22,000 feet up Everest, she might not even have lived to contemplate a retreat.
“All around the advanced base camp area are small crevasses and just as I was stepping over a rock that was used for crossing one, it went from under me,” the Wexford woman explained.
“My leg went straight into it but I managed to stop myself with my hands and elbows breaking two fingers in the process. Luckily, I had my full-length double plastic boots on. I’m certain they saved me from doing a lot more damage to my leg which is only grazed and bruised,” she added.
Although she was just 7,000 feet from the summit, continuing the climb with two broken fingers would not have been possible.
“I spent all night after the accident deciding what to do, but all the time in the back of my mind I knew my climb was over.
“Realistically, I know I am so lucky to come away with my life. I’m so honoured to have been given the chance to go to Everest. Naturally, I will always wonder what it would have been like to grace its summit, but thank God I’m alive.”
The hotel marketing manager said climbing Everest had been a life-long ambition, but she won’t be attempting it again. Bridget plans to return to her native New Ross over the weekend where there will be a hero’s welcome from her husband, Anthony O’Flynn, who works in customer service with AOL in Waterford.
He had been behind her all the way and was in constant touch with her via a satellite phone as she attempted the feat.
