The Gerard McDonnell Memorial Fund

Summary of Project:

Gerard McDonnell had a big heart. His compassion and strength of character was apparent in everything he did.

On August 1, 2008, Gerard summited K2 and made mountaineering history as the first Irish person to stand on the summit. The next morning, he risked his life to rescue three climbers stranded above 8000 meters. Upon descent, Gerard and the men he saved were lost in an avalanche. Those who knew Gerard understand he could never walk away from anyone who needed help.

To honor his spirit, The Gerard McDonnell Memorial Fund was established to assist the children of those Pakistani and Nepalese climbers who also lost their lives on K2 in 2008: Jehan Baig, Karim Meherban, Jumik Bhote and Pasang Bhote.

The Fund will sponsor these children throughout their childhood years, helping with their education and medical care. The Mountain Fund staff is 100% volunteer, and there are no deductions for overhead. Your donation goes directly to the children.

Your contribution is a fitting tribute to Gerard’s spirit. The fund makes it possible for him to continue helping others. For all of us, it is a meaningful way to honor his courage and compassion.

How You Can Help:

• Sponsor the children of the high-altitude porters who died in the 2008 tragedy on K2

OR

About Gerard:

Gerard McDonnell was 37 years old when he became the first Irishman to summit K2. Ger was a pure alpinist. In1999, Ger helped rescue five climbers on Denali and received the Denali Pro Pin Award for bravery. In 2003, he rescued a climber with cerebral edema on Everest. In August 2008, Ger risked his life to release three climbers, tangled in K2's death zone. On their descent, an avalanche swept down, killing all four men.

K2, at 8,616 metres (28,251 ft), is the second highest mountain on earth. It is also the most dangerous. Eleven climbers lost their lives in 2008, among them Gerard McDonnell.

Where This Project Is Located: