A FORMER international tennis coach-turned-mountaineer is attempting an ascent of Everest in support of lung transplants for cystic fibrosis patients.
Cian Ó Brolcháin’s experience in coaching a young boy diagnosed with cystic fibrosis inspired him to plan the Himalayan expedition, which will take place next year.
He and his team are working with the Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland and the Mater hospital to raise money for lung transplant support.
“People climbing at altitude feel similar effects for that short period to those cystic fibrosis sufferers who live with this all the time at sea level,” Mr Ó Brolcháin told The Irish Times.
“When I was teaching tennis, I noticed how this young guy coped so well, playing with kids of his age. His perseverance was amazing, in spite of his condition, and I’ve never forgotten it,” he said.
Mr Ó Brolcháin’s mother is a tennis player and his father is a mountaineer, and he said he took up climbing when he realised he “could no longer dream of winning Wimbledon!”.
Mr Ó Brolcháin has climbed in the Alps, Andes and Himalayas. As part of his preparation for the world’s highest peak at 8,848 metres, he will climb Mont Blanc (4,810m) in France and Denali (6194m), North America’s highest peak, in June.
Over the next 10 months, he will attempt the summits of Cho Oyu (8,201m) in Tibet, Aconcagua (6,962m) in Argentina and Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895m) in Tanzania.
He will be attempting Everest with previous summiteer Ian Taylor, who made the ascent in aid of the Fields for Life project in Uganda three years ago.
Both will be supported by British trekking company Jagged Globe, which provides international mountain guides and Sherpa support, along with logistics and communications.
The Ireland to Everest 2012 expedition has formed a support team, which is already fundraising with a “32 steps for CF” challenge in Ireland.
This challenge involves climbing the highest peak in each of the island’s 32 counties in ascending order, culminating with Carrauntouhill in Kerry at the end of August.
Members of the public are invited to participate in the “32 steps for CF”, and places are also available on the Ireland to Everest base camp trek.
Further details are on http://irelandtoeverest.com/32-steps-for-cf/
