Gerard McDonnell

Gerard McDonnell was the first Irish individual to have ever reached the summit of K2. McDonnell and ten other climbers are believed to have died while descending the mountain, after an ice avalanche struck on July 31, 2008.¹

Fast Facts

1. Nation of origin: Ireland¹
2. Residence: Limerick, Ireland¹
3. First Irishman ever to climb K2¹

Previous Attempt

McDonnell attempted to climb K2 in 2006, but was injured in a rock fall and had to be airlifted to a hospital. Four climbers who continued on after McDonnell's injury were killed soon after, in an avalanche near the summit.¹

Climbing Accidents Fast Facts

1. K2 is second highest mountain on Earth
2. K2's fatality rate for climbers: 26.77%²
3. Odds of death on K2 are higher if a climber reaches the peak, as the descent itself is extremely dangerous³
4. Mount Everest, the world's tallest mountain, has a fatality rate of 9.3%²
5. Annapurna has the highest fatality rate for climbers, at 41%²
6. The United Kingdom's Health and Safety office reports the odds of dying while rock climbing are 1 in 320,000⁴

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