Plaque in memory of Antarctic crew

THEY’RE known as ‘The Beyonders’ given their association with explorer, Pat Falvey and the group’s daring expedition to Antarctica back in 2006 and they joined forces again on Saturday in a ceremony marking the unveiling of a memorial plaque to former colleagues who died tragically on the mountains. The plaque is appropriately located at Cronin’s Yard – considered the official entry point to the MacGillycuddy Reeks and traditional starting point for many’s an adventure in the past and no doubt will be for many more. But more importantly, the site was also chosen as it is Tom Crean’s home county.

K2 is the world’s second highest mountain and has claimed many lives, most notably in 2008 when Limerick climber, Ger McDonnell, and Norwegian, Ralf Bae, both lost their lives in one of the deadliest mountaineering disasters when the mountain claimed 11 lives. Karen Rodgers, a film producer from Wicklow who produced Pat Falvey’s documentary of the expedition in Antarctica ‘Beyond Endurance’ died tragically in a horse riding accident in 2008. All three were members of Pat’s expedition in 2006, crossing South Georgia.

“The big thing for me has always been the leadership of men like Shackleton and Crean. I was fascinated by leadership and I assembled a group of ordinary, everyday people back in 2006 to go to Antarctica. A trip many said couldn’t be done,” said Pat Falvey.

One of the guiding principles behind that famous 2006 adventure is Pat’s belief that everyone is ordinary, but it’s what ordinary people do that makes them extraordinary.

“Saturday’s plaque unveiling was a moment in which that great group of individuals called the ‘Beyonders’ returned to honour the unsung heroes who helped them achieve an extraordinary feat; a feat that many experienced adventurers had failed to do. Ger and Ralf were two of our leaders’ back then and Karen was my producer,” added Mike.

The unveiling was conducted by Jerry Aherne, who sang ‘We’ll meet again’, while KMRT member, Gerry Christie - a guide on that famous expedition - also spoke.

Photo by Valerie O’Sullivan At a special memorial unveiling at Cronin’s Yard, the official entrance to The MacGillycuddy’s Reeks, by ‘The Beyonders’, are members of Pat Falvey’s ‘Beyond Endurance Expedition’ to Antarctica who travelled with Pat in November 2006. Their fellow expeditioners, mountaineers and guides on Antarctica , Ger McDonnell, Kilcornan, Co Limerick, the first Irishman to reach the Summit of K2 and Ralf Bae, Norway, both died heroically on the descent having help injured climbers. Karen Rodgers, a film producer, from Wicklow, died tragically in a horse riding accident in 2008. The very poignant unveiling was by Jerry Aherne, from Cork.