MOUNTAIN LOG EVEREST BASE CAMP 63 We went on an adventure to Everest Base Camp on the 28th of September 2024 with Pat Falvey. It was undoubtedly the biggest challenge I’ve faced in my mountaineering journey, which began with the Cork Mountaineering Club in 1978. I embarked on this journey to bring and spread some of the ashes of my late husband, Seán Mac Seoin, on top of Everest Base Camp. Seán, who passed away on the 23rd of August 2017, had a great love for the mountains. He had walked with the Bootleggers Hillwalking Club in his younger days when he was living and working in Dublin. We met mountaineering on the Maumturks in 1990 while walking with our respective clubs. I was with the Cork Backpackers and Cork Mountaineering Club at the time. In February 2024, I made the decision to travel to Everest Base Camp. I was staying at the Mountain Lodge in Beaufort, Co Kerry, home of well-known adventurer Pat Falvey, and, as fate would have it, I stayed in the room called ‘Everest.’ One evening I was fortunate enough to meet Pat and I joked I had finally made it to Everest! When he looked at me in surprise, I explained I was referring to the bedroom name in his mountain lodge. After telling Pat our story and how it was always a dream of mine and Seán’s to get there, he gave me the confidence and courage to sign up for the adventure. After returning from my weekend at the Mountain Lodge, I shared the news with my daughters. Within a week, two of my three daughters, Mary and Aisling, decided to join me. Unfortunately, Áine was unable to come due to other commitments. Training for the trip began immediately. I received valuable tips and advice from fellow climbers who had previously made the trek. I focused on the Cork and Kerry mountains, which offered the best training grounds for me while living in west Cork. Friends kindly provided us with high-tech sleeping bags and other essential equipment. With the addition of a few new items, we were set. Pictured this page: Tenzing-Hillary Airport, Lukla on October 4th, 2024 with Tara Air plane taking off. Photo: Ann Collins-Mac Seoin Previous page: Jumping for joying at Everest Base Camp on October 11th. From left: Ann Collins-Mac Seoin, Aisling Mac Seoin, John Geaney, Mary Mac Seoin, Aaron Sidhu and Alia Geaney. Photo: Harj Sidhu Seán and I had always planned to go to Everest together, but those plans were cut short when he was diagnosed with cancer in January 2013. After five years of battling the disease, we lost him.
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