Man conquers fears to be 17th Irish person to climb Everest

A DUBLIN-born man has become the 17th Irish person to ascend Mount Everest and the fourth Irish person to have climbed seven of the world’s highest mountains.

Vivian Rigney (39), an executive coach from Stepaside, Co Dublin, reached the 8,848-metre (29,029ft) summit of Everest at the weekend as part of a US-led expedition from the Nepalese or south side of the peak.

His older brother Patrick confirmed yesterday that he had descended safely to camp two at 6,500 metres (21,500ft) and was in very good spirits.

“We are all delighted as he only took up climbing 10 years ago, is a very low-key guy and has a fear of heights. My parents, Séamus and Mary, and all of us are very proud of him.”

Mr Rigney’s father is a keen hill-walker as part of the “Green Monks” mountaineering group.

The seven summits on seven continents climbed by Mr Rigney are Kilimanjaro, Tanzania (5,895m/19,344ft); Mount Elbrus, Russia (5,642m/18,510ft); Mount McKinley-Denali, US (6,194m/ 20,320ft); Carstensz Pyramid, Indonesia (4,884m/16,023ft); Vinson Massif, Antarctica, (4,897m/ 16,066ft); Cerro Aconcagua, Argentina, (6,962m/ 22,841ft); and Everest, also known as Chomolungma in Nepal.

Belfast architect Dawson Stelfox was the first Irishman to make Everest’s summit, on May 27th, 1993, via the Northern ridge in Tibet, while Cork doctor Clare O’Leary became the first Irish woman to make it up, on May 18th, 2004, via the South Col from Nepal.

There have been 18 actual Irish ascents, as Cork adventurer Pat Falvey climbed twice, from Tibet and Nepal, and four ascents have been by Irish women – Dr O’Leary, Samantha O’Carroll, Grania Willis and Hannah Shields.

Mr Rigney has become the fourth Irish person to record seven summits – with Mr Falvey and Dr O’Leary being the first Irish male and female to record this achievement.

The first Irish ascent of K2, the world’s second highest mountain, was recorded by the late Ger McDonnell, while the first Irish ascent of Lhotse, at 8,516 metres, was by Dómhnaill Ó Dochartaigh last year, via the northwest face.