Kerry boy (9) reaches Everest Base Camp
A NINE-year-old Kerry boy has become one of the youngest ever people to reach Base Camp at Mount Everest after travelling to the region with his father back in May.
Finn Marshall-Rosato, who is originally from Kenmare and now lives in Byron Shire, Australia, travelled with his father Mikey to Nepal in May and they spent 27 days trekking the Khumbu Region of the Himalayas.
Finn, who left fellow climbers and sherpas amazed by his insistence on carrying all of his own gear independently, also summited two other mountains in the region, ‘ Kala Pattar’ at 5,643m (18,514 ft) and ‘Chukhung Ri’ at 5,550m (18,209 ft).
“Carrying my own bag was torturous. It made everything a lot harder. But I really wanted to do it to prove to myself that I could and show that kids can do it,” said Finn.
“The Sherpas called me ‘Strong Boy’ and the trekkers called my dad ‘Super Cool Dad!’” he added.
Children under the age of ten are not required to register for an Everest trekking permit so there is no data on how many actually attempt it. However, the Sherpas, guesthouse owners and villagers that the father and son duo met along the way, said they had never seen a child so young carrying his own pack. And while other children have reached base camp many of these have ridden there on horseback with porters to carry their bags.
Deciding against joining the many tour and walking groups that make the trek, Finn and Mikey decided to go it alone and judging by Finn’s response, this made all the difference.
“Nearly everyone else had porters and guides but we did it on our own. The groups were so noisy. When you are on your own you see so many animals. We were really lucky and saw Himalayan Pikas, lots of enormous Lammergeier birds and a Red Panda which are on the endangered species list!” he continued.
Aside from the many amazing memories that he will bring home with him, Finn can also add one or two very special souvenirs to his room at home, including a snow leopard’s tooth he received from climber Wendy Gibbs after her first summit and a lucky prayer flag, which eight time summiter Pemba Sherpa tied to Finn’s pack for the climb.
Since his return Finn has started fundraising to help the two communities closest to his heart and will donate half of what he raises to the The Sherpa Foundation in Nepal and half to Mullumbimby Community Centre where he lives.
You can donate to Finn’s fundraiser at: www.chuffed. org/project/finns-fundraiser.