Following a lifetime of adventures, Beaufort-based Pat Falvey is stepping back from his extreme pursuits
PAT Falvey is one of the world’s most remarkable explorers having scaled unimaginable heights in a lifetime that’s been anything but dull. In a decorated career, the Cork native has managed to retrace the footsteps of Tom Crean and Ernest Shackleton, while also becoming the first ever mountaineer in the world to conquer the highest mountains on seven continents, not once but twice.
Pat (61) risked life and limb on expeditions to some of the most far-reaching and dangerous parts of the world - including traversing deserts, jungles and deadly glaciers. He has lived and interacted with people from over 32 different tribes on the planet from West Papua New Guinea to the Chaga tribe in Africa. The perils of Pat’s outdoor ambitions are also apparent given over 30 of his close friends and colleagues died doing various expeditions he was a part of.
Pat’s incredible story is the focus of a new book, ‘Accidental Rebel’, which relates tales of danger, triumph and self-fulfilment in the face of overwhelming odds against nature. Pat recently retired from some of his more severe excursions, and while time is the master of all human action, he will continue to share his experiences with up and coming explorers and climbers.
“I’ve decided to retire from the extreme expeditions; the kind that last 60 to 90 days where some of my friends have died. I’m still doing the Kilimanjaro’s and basecamps, stuff like that. Most people retire from these extreme expeditions at around 35. My friends have died doing many of the same expeditions that I’ve done, so it’s probably time to step back,” he said.
Not surprisingly, Pat has many proud ventures that spring to mind. When asked what he remembers most, two conquests in particular take precedence: retracing the footsteps of Tom Crean and Ernest Shackleton on his ‘ Beyond Endurance’ expedition to The South Pole; and reaching the summit of Mount Everest – a summit which, Pat tells me, is like standing on an area the size of a kitchen table. Pat celebrated summiting Mount Everest by pucking a sliotar from the summit, while placing a tricolour on an ice axe and sticking it in the snow.
“Walking the South Pole and standing on that plateau of ground in honour of Crean and Shackleton, and as leader of the first Irish team to do the journey, was special. Being the first man in the world to stand on the summit of Everest on its north and south sides was also amazing. You’re standing on top of the world.
“This surge in energy and adrenaline shoots through you and it’s the closest thing to heaven. You’re the highest person in the world at that time.
“The metaphor that everyone ‘ has an Everest’ in life is a true one. That satisfaction was compounded by helping others to reach the summit, especially Claire O’Leary who became the first Irish woman to reach the summit of Everest. I recall many moments, but those two are iconic.”
Danger was present at every turn during Pat’s time on the mountains. He recalls with chilling clarity the time he nearly lost his life in 1993 when he was just one hour from the summit of Everest.
“Due to an accident in my oxygen I was suffering from pulmonary edema, thrombosis and loss of my peripheral vision. Being one hour from the summit I had to make a decision to turn. As I descended down the south face, I thought I was going to die. Only for the fact my team encouraged me to keep going, I probably would have been encrusted onto the rocks of Mount Everest. The following year I decided to go back and finish that last hour. One of the things I appreciate most about life is not to ever give up. Sometimes the failures are encouragements for your success.”
Today, appropriately enough, Pat lives at the foot of Carrantuohill. Living in the Cork and Kerry region also means Pat relishes going out on the mountains and reconnecting with the places where it all started.
“I still love hearing people’s stories, especially from the people who come to my home at the Mountain Lodge to share their goals and aspirations with me. These are ordinary men and women who have a dream to do something extraordinary.”
‘Accidental Rebel’ is in the shops now and is also available at www.patfalvey.com