Witnessing the sun rise and exposing the curvature of planet Earth was a “humbling” thrill for Crecora man David Keating, who has spoken for the first time after scaling Mount Everest, the world’s tallest point, this summer.
The spring climbing season on Mount Everest officially closed in late May, just after Keating, 58, became the oldest Irish person to reach the summit. He beats Martin Byrnes from Offaly by 59 days.
Nine climbers have died or gone missing on the Himalayan peak so far in 2024, while 18 died in 2023.
The danger has not been lost on Keating, who paid tribute to the late Limerick adventurer Ger McDonnell, who summited Everest in 2003, but died with 10 other climbers in an avalanche while descending K2 in 2008, after becoming the first Irish man to reach its summit.
“It was an honour and humbling experience to stand on top of the world, to be in the company of the great Limerick adventurer Gerard McDonnell, and others such as Mark Quinn, Brian Meskell and Robert Mortell who went before me,” says Keating, who is director of Ei Electronics, Shannon, Co Clare.
In 2011, Mark Quinn, from Rhebogue, Limerick, was the youngest Irish man to conquer Everest, aged 27. However, his record was taken in 2016 by then 26-year old University of Limerick student Rob Mortell.
Brian Meskell from Castleconnell became the third Limerick man to summit Everest in 2013.
Keating admits that, his at-times treacherous hobby, is “not for the faint-hearted”, and “taking on such a challenge requires commitment, dedication, focus coupled with both mental and physical endurance”.
Keating is testimony to the fact that while luck as well as training has its part to play, the feat “is not beyond the reach of any man or woman that’s committed to the cause… Remember the old adage ‘if you can think it you can do it’”.
His wife, Antoinette Keating, says despite her adventurer husband risking limb and life to set another Irish record on Everest, he “takes it all in his stride” and is “pretty cool about it all, he doesn’t want much fuss”.
The Limerick man reached the summit arm in arm with Dubliner Mick Fortune, 41, assisted by guides and sherpas.
He began his summit push on May 12, reaching the end 24 hours later, achieving his ultimate goal
“My best moment was watching the sunrise expose the curvature of the earth and slowly awaken your senses to the full Himalayan mountain range,” Keating says.
This otherworldly scene came “protruding through the clouds as you look down on them from on high”.
“It was a sight to behold.”
