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Donegal man hopes to conquer world's most dangerous mountain

Jason Black hopes to "summit" K2 on the tenth anniversary of the death of fellow Irish mountaineer, Ger McDonnell.
Jason Black hopes to "summit" K2 on the tenth anniversary of the death of fellow Irish mountaineer, Ger McDonnell. Jason Black hopes to "summit" K2 on the tenth anniversary of the death of fellow Irish mountaineer, Ger McDonnell.

A CO Donegal man is hoping to emulate the achievement of tragic fellow Irish mountaineer Ger McDonnell by reaching the summit of the world’s most dangerous mountain.

The Limerick man became the only Irish man ever to summit K2 - the world’s second highest and considered most dangerous mountain - in 2008.

However, he died hours later when he was caught in an avalanche on his descent.

Now Letterkenny mountaineer Jason Black plans to mark the tenth anniversary of the ascent by climbing the mountain himself.

An Irish Red Cross ambassador, Mr Black is one of the elite group to have summited Everest.

He also holds the mountaineering world record for completing a double ascent of Kilimanjaro in 22 and a half hours.

He has previously attempted to scale K2. In 2015 he made it as far as camp two but was forced to turn back.

The experienced mountaineer reached the K2 base camp at the weekend and is making preparing for his attempt to scale on August 2, the tenth anniversary of Mr McDonnell’s death.

On arrival at base camp he erected a plaque in memory of Mr McDonnell.

Before leaving Ireland he revealed that he had met the McDonnell family in Limerick and was given their support for his K2 assault.

“Ger’s mum, Gertie gave me some of his precious equipment to climb with and it means a lot to me. I’ll mentally be climbing with Ger. I’ll be spiritually connected to him through the equipment,” he said.

Mr Black said he intended using his K2 experience to raise awareness of the Red Cross and their efforts to help communites around the world in time of need.