Lynne + Noel chat with President Mary Mc Aleese and Dr Martin Mc Aleese after dinner in Aras an Uachtarain
Bill Clinton
Noel chats with Bill on one of his recent trips to the USA
2009 Mt. Elbrus climb
Leave Belfast late afternoon on Thurs. 20th August for flight to Heathrow then onward overnight flight to Moscow.
Arrive in Moscow at 0530 hrs pick up baggage then taxi to Vnukovo airport for flight to Mineralny Vody at 1130hrs.
After arriving at M.V. airport it was then a 4 / 5 hour mini bus journey to our hotel at Terskol village close to Mt.Elbrus.
Sat.22nd acclimatization walk on Cheget mountain.
Sun 23rd leave our hotel in Terskol and travel to the "Barrels" on Elbrus. An afternoon trek through gale force winds and zero visibility to Pastukhov rocks 4800mts then back to the barrells.
Mon 24th. Rest day. A little fun work out with crampons on a steep slope close to the barrells.
Tue. 25th. Leave at 0430 hrs for summit trek arriving on the top at 0915 ish. Take a few pictures and enjoy the views before returning to the barrells for Lunch.
Pack up all our gear then trek back down to the comfort of our hotel in Treskol. By 1600 hrs we were all enjoys a few celebratory drinks. Everyone feeling good by now.
Two more nights at the hotel in Terskol then off to Moscow for 3 nights before travelling back to Belfast.
Thur 21st May 2009 @ 0400hrs Lynne and Noel stand on the top of Mt.Everest.
1st Couple from Ireland (North + South) on top off the world.
Noel reaching summit of Everest - 16th May, 09
0500hrs leave base camp and climb to camp 1. Stay for 1 night then climb to camp 2.
We stay at camp 2 for 2 nights then climb to camp 3 staying 1 night and then climbing onto camp 4.
Arrive at camp 4 (7900mts) around lunchtime on 20th May. We load up on food/liquids and check our oxygen tanks and masks.
2000hrs we leave camp 4 for summit, arriving at 0400 hrs in the pitch black.
Lynne + myself take photos with our sherpa's. 0415 the first sign of day light.
0430 we leave summit for climb down. After a few minutes i meet Pat on his way up. Pat tells me that he has almost lost his sight (everything was all milky looking).
Pat being only 50mts from summit, I turn round and make my way back to the summit with Pat. We take a few pictures at the summit and meet our friend Ran Fiennes who has just summated. After 5 mins we start our downward climb. Everything was going to be much slower and more difficult because of Pats sight problems.
11.30 both Pat and myself arrive back to camp 4. We get some food/water and rest for 1 hour before continuing on to camp 3 and then camp 2, arriving there at 2145 hrs.
We stay 2 nights at camp 2 then return to base camp on Sat 23rd May. Wash / eat and pack our gear for the trek out the next morning.
Sun 10th May 2009
It is now Sun. 10 th and the weather has turned for the worst. Atleast another 4/5 days of bad weather with strong winds and snow forcast.
All 3 of us healthy and well -- just waiting on good weather.
Thurs.30th April 2009
Thur 30th April leave base camp on our last acclimatization climb
sleep at camp 1 then Fri. climb to camp 2. We slept at camp 2 on Fri. night then pushed up to camp 3 on Sat morn. On Sun morning we climbed higher above camp 3 but blizzard conditions made us turn around at approx. 7300 mtr. We then trekked back to camp 2 where we spent a night before heading back to base camp.
Lynne / Pat and myself then got changed and headed down lower on the mountain to Periche 4300mtr for rest. We spent spent 5 nights lower on the mountain then returned back to base camp on Sat 9th waiting on a weather window.
Photos from Everest April 2009
Noel on Everest - 26th April, 09
It is now Sun 26th of April and we are back down at base camp after a short trip up to camp 1 + 2.
We left base camp on Thur23 April and trekked through the ice fall to camp 1. We spent 1 night there then trekked to camp 2 the next morning.
On Sat 25th we left camp 2 and trekked all the way back down to base camp. This morning we got a message from camp 2 that most of our tents were blown down due to very strong winds.
We hope to rest at base camp for 3/4 days then head back up the mountain.
Noel on Everest - 22th April, 09
It is now Wed 22nd and we have been resting at base camp for the last 3/4 days after a trip up to camp 1 for 1 night(6100mtr).
We leave 2moro morning at 5 am for a climb to camp 1 for 1 night then climb onto camp 2 (6500mtr) and spend 1 night there before returning to base camp for another 3/4 days rest before heading back up the mountain. Lynne, Pat and myself are all keeping well and looking forward to getting out of base camp again for a few nights.
Noel in Base Camp enroute to Everest - 14th April, 09
We left Dengboche on Sat 11th and trekked to Dingboche. We stayed there 1 night then trekked to Base camp arriving Mon. 13th.
A lot of tents at Base camp. All night there was the sound of avalanches all around. Both keeping well and hopefully heading up the Khumbu to camp 1 on Thur.16th.
If you check www.7summitsclub.com there is a link to all about the expedition and photo`s.
Noel in Namche Bazar enroute to Everest - 09th April, 09
Due to the problems with the small planes not flying to Lukla because of bad weather
our team chartered a large helicopter and we flew out of Kathmandu on Tue. with all our
gear to Namche Bazar 3450 mts.
Today Wed 8th we walked for about 3/4 hours and had a height gain of approx. 350 mts.
We had our first views of Everest from the south side.
Team all doing well and looking forward to leaving Namche Bazar Thur 9th morning to walk
to Tengboche 3860 mts.
Noel in Kathmandu enroute to Everest - 05th April, 09
Just an update. It is Sun 5th and we are still in Kathmandu. We were suppose to leave
for the mountain yesterday. We got our flight and flew to almost Lukla and the cloud
was that bad that the pilot turned the plane and headed back to Kathmandu. There were
no flights on wed/thur/or fri either.
So we are just waiting in Kathmandu. We will know at 7 pm tonite when to go back to
the airport for new flight.
If we get a flight Mon 6th or Tue 7th we will not be into base camp until 6/8 days
later so will not be able to send another email until then.
Bye for now,
Noel
Noel guiding on Mt.Blanc. Summer / Autumn 2008
February 2008
Media launch with UCF (Ulster cancer foundation).
This spring I will be climbing Mt. Everest attempting to raise 150k for the charity, for further info. and details log
onto www.ulstercancer.org
I will be accompanied on this expedition by Lynne and Peter McAlindon from Belfast a cancer survivor who will be
attempting to climb to North Col 7050 mts.
January 2008
I was invited to the outdoor ISPO show in Munich by Federico from Montagnard climbing magazine (Italian) as a guest on their
stand. It was a good chance to catch up with my sponsors.The ISPO show is the largest outdoor trade show in Europe.
Secured valuable contact with the marketing team at Rossignol ski company. They have agreed to be associated with my expedition
to Mt.Vinson as in involves a ski to sea-level in winter 2008. Their R and D team are going to modify their current cross country
boot specifically for this expedition.
January 2008
Off to a busy start with the arrival of Canadain Pat Singh. Pat had stopped off in Ireland from an European holiday for a
brush up on skills needed for climbing on Everest + extreme endurance running races. Pat heads off to Veitnam in mid Feb.
to compete in a seven day race as part of the Racing the Planet series. As I am guiding Pat and my wife Lynne this spring
on Everest it was a welcome opportunity to catch up with him again. Pat was part of my support crew on my cycle from base
camp Elbrus to sea-level.He had also traversed Elbrus with Lynne on myself earlier.
Xmas period 2007
Departed cold Ireland for warm sunny Lanzarote on Dec 20th. for some distance running in the heat also some R+R. Manage
to fit in a total of approx. 80+ miles in 5 days.
Mont Blanc. 4808mts - 13th-17th Sep, 07
Thur.13th - Arrived in Chamonix.
Fri.14th - Acclimatize with cable lift to Le Brevent (2525mts) then run back to Chamonix.
Sat.15th - Get cable lift to Aiguille Du Midi (3842mts). Have lunch and hang around for a couple of hours then back down.
Sun.16th - Drive to Les Houches and take cable lift to La Chalette then tramway to Nid d` Aigle. From here we followed the trail up and crossed the TeteRousse glacier to the steep ridge that we followed to the Gouter hut (3782mts). where we stayed.
Mon.17th - Leave Gouter hut at 0430 hrs and climb up the Dome du Gouter and past the Vallot observatory to reach the Vallot shelter. Take a 2 minute break then continue over Grande Bosse (4513mts) over Petite Bosse (4547mts) then left of Rochers de la tournette (4677mts). From here we followed the ridge, mostly on the Italian side to reach the summit @ 0800hrs (4804 mts). Very strong winds and zero visibility made for an unpleasant climb. About 10mts from the summit we came out above the clouds and for the 1st time we could see. Glad that we pushed on through the bad weather. Took a few pic`s at the summit then returned back down. Still zero visibility and v strong winds. Back to Gouter hut around 0930 we had some food then continued on our way down to the tramway and back to our hotel in Chamonix for about 1400hrs.
Elbrus : 01 Aug, 07 - 14:36
Hi everyone, we go for the Elbrus summit tomorrow. We will be doing traverse up south side and down north side.
We depart at 2am local time. Out of 4000 climbs this season on Elbrus only approximately 15 have attempted this route.
Summit 2 Sea-Level : 15 Jun, 06 - 12:25
On Sun.21st May I reached the summit of Mt.Everest at 0950hrs. I left the summit at 1030hrs. Just under 17 days later on
7th June at 0945 I reached sea-level at the Bay of Bengal. My journey involved decending Everest, cycling 310 kms through
Tibet, 400 in Nepal and almost 1100 down through India in temperatures of 40+ and 2 days of constant torrential rain.
During the 1800kms cycling i was lucky and had no problems with the bike - not even a puncture.
I would like to thank Lorenzo for doing support person for the cycling.
I am now back in Kathmandu resting and getting my gear sorted and packed to fly home on the 16th.
Today Thur.15th, Ramish from Mountain Extreme Treks Kathmandu (organized vehicle support in Nepal+India) has arranged
press to meet me 2day and report on my journey. Do not know if any will show up ??? will report later 2day.
I would like to thank everyone that has followed my journey over the last 2 months and anyone wishing to ask anything
about the journey can reach me on myflyman@aol.com Photo: 1800km later at the Bay of Bengal
Hot sun cool beers : 06 June, 06 - 15:39
Hello Everyone
All is well... we left Kathmandu at 6.30 am today for the border leg but ran into alot of detours increasing the distance
from 140k to 260k
What a long cycle in very hot conditions 30 degrees ..
I am sending this update through Lynne back home while we enjoy a couple of cold beers
We leave tomorrow at 5.00 am to try and avoid the high temperatures en route to the border with India this will mark
the halfway stage ...new driver too
Talk to you soon
Noel
Wed.24th May 06 : 24 May, 06 - 15:39
Hello everyone - i am back at BC after a successfull summit on Sun.21st May.
On Sun. morning i left high camp {8300mts} at 0100 hrs and arrived on summit at around 0945. The winds were
v.strong and virually zero visibility due to the blowing snow. On way to summit i had to climb along the
high ridge 8600mts and up near vertical rock faces {1st/2nd/3rd steps} also along narrow ledges with drops
of over 2500mts. Bodies that were only days old and ones that were years old had to be stepped over or walked
around. One of which i recognised from climbing with last year at the bottom of the snow field 8800mts.
Unfortunately one of our team Igor from Russia died at camp 7700mts on Mon. morning, which put a sad ending
to a successful climb. Photo: Noel on the summit
Tuesday, May 23, 2006 : 23 May, 06 - 14:53
Noel made it!!!!
Noel Hanna made it to the top of Everest on 21st May and is now racing from the summit to seal level.
More info to follow......
Mon 15/May/06 : 15 May, 06 - 12:03
I am back at B.C. now getting gear + oxygen masks sorted out. I hope to go to IBC 2moro + ABC on Wed.
If the weather forecast is good on Wed. for a few days i will hopefully push on up to N.C. and to
higher camps 7700mts +8300mts.
Everything from here on is dependant on the weather conditions. If the weather is not good i could be
waiting at ABC for days even 1 week.
This will be my last update for a while because i am not taking my PDA up from B.C.
I would like to thank some people for their support : Lynne my wife. Jack O Hare from O Hares bar + lounges,
Newcastlle. Rodger from RAW outdoors in Hillsborough. Gordon bros. + J.C. from Gordons chemists - provence
wide. Persons in charge of Burrendale Hotel + health club, Newcastle for allowing me to train there year
round.
Speak to you all soon,
Noel Photo: Everest from Rongbuk monastery 14/5/06
Sat 13/May/06 : 13 May, 06 - 15:42
Lorenco, Igor and myself are down in Tasitume (4200mts) resting for a few days before we head back to B.C.
tomorrow. Photo: Lorry delivering fresh foods + pork
Hello everyone : 9 May, 06 - 19:34
Back down at B.C. for final acclimatization. On Sun 7th may we left ABC (6400mts) and climbed to the
N.Col.(7050mts). We slept there that night and yesterday we climbed to approx. 7400 mts and then i returned
to ABC to sleep. Some of the team opted to sleep at N.C. for a 2nd night. Today i walked back to B.C. and
enjoyed a well deserved hot water shower !!
Photo: Ladder over crevace at North Col
Sun. 30th April : 30 Apr, 06 - 19:21
Hello everyone i have arrived safely back down to BC after spending last night at N.Col (7050mts). It was a
restless night with strong winds and heavy snow shaking the tent all night. Even opening the tent zip to get
in + out everything was white inside. I was hoping to take some pictures this morning before i left N.C. but
with the strong winds + heavy snow i did not want to take my gloves off.
I will rest at BC for 3/4 nights then return to IBC for 1 night and onto ABC for 2 nights. If everything goes
to plan i will then climb to N.C. for 2 nights and try to push to 7500/7700 mts for 1 day.
I will update then hopefully qhen i return from the above. Photo: At the bottom of the climb to the North Col
Everest IBC+ABC : 23 Apr, 06 - 18:34
Hi everyone we are now back down in BC (Sun.23rd) after spending 1 night at ABC and 1 night at IBC. We
will rest for a few days at BC before we head back up to IBC onto ABC and then our first climb up to North
col. Photo: ABC at 6400mts
Base camp : 18 Apr, 06 - 15:57
Today 18th April we finally arrived at basecamp at around 1500hrs. About 10 miles outside of basecamp we
started to drive into the snow. As we got closer to B.C. the deeper the snow. When we arrived the snow was
about 20 cm deep. We each got our own tent and sorted out our gear. Photo: Just arrive at Base Camp
On our way to Shekar : 17 Apr, 06 - 18:52
Sun 16th we left Nylam and travelled over the 5050mt Yakri pass to Tingri and onto Shekar where we will
spend 2 nights.
Monday 17th we spent time in Shekar town and checked out the monastery. Tomorow Tue. we leave for B.C. Photo: Yakri Shong Pass at 5050mts
Friday 14/4/06 : 14 Apr, 06 - 16:44
I have just arrived in Nylam (12375 ft.) after spending 1 night at Zangmu at the Nepal/Tibet border.
We will stay here for 2 nights then travel to Tingri and onto zegar. After arriving in Nylam we
(Pat-Canada, Lorenco, Pino (lorencos brother) Ronnie-S.Africa + myself) went on a short hike arround town. Photo: At top of hill around Nylam
Main st. Kathmandu : 10 Apr, 06 - 12:37
Hi everyone, arrived safely in Kathmandu. There is a strike in the city and the government has ordered a
curfew from 9am through 9pm. This is why the streets are so quiet. No shops or cafes are open and only
tourists are allow to walk the streets.
On Thursday we hope to leave Kathmandu for the Nepal/Tibet border.
Lorenco (Italy) and Pat (Canada) have also arrived safely and we are all chilling out around the hotel. Photo: Main St. Kathmandu. Police + Army patrol
