Mountaineer ends K2 bid after avalanche deaths
Northern Ireland mountaineer Terence “Banjo” Bannon has said he will never attempt to climb one of the world’s most lethal peaks again after witnessing the death of four Russian climbers from his team.
The adventurer, from Newry, was forced to abandon his summit attempt on K2 in the Himalayas after he saw the victims perish in an avalanche near the top of the mountain on Sunday.
Mr Bannon survived and is believed to be at base camp near the China-Pakistan border. He is expected home later this month.
A notice on the K2 expedition website read: “Banjo would like to extend his deepest sympathies to the families... as we all would at this distressing time.
“He would also like to extend his thanks to all those who have given him support throughout this climb.
“Due to the circumstances, it is as close as he will ever get and he said: ‘I will never be back’.”
Mr Bannon is awaiting the results of inquest into the deaths and is expected home on August 27.
This was his second unsuccessful attempt to climb the obstacle known as “Mountain of Mountains”.
In May 2003, he joined New Zealand climber, Jamie McGuinness, at the top of Mt Everest. He has climbed in challenging terrain around the world.
