Reaching the summit of Mont Blanc
FRIENDS TACKLE THE INTIMIDATING MONT BLANC FOR A PIETA HOUSE CHARITY CLIMB
TWO Sligo friends have climbed one of Europe’s tallest peaks raising money for charity in the process.
Sean Mulligan (28) and Cian Dykes (29) took on the daunting challenge of reaching the top of Mont Blanc in an effort to raise much needed funds for suicide prevention charity Pieta House.
Sean who works as a researcher at NUI Galway and Cian who is a captain with Ryanair both developed their love of climbing as teenagers. Inspired by Benbulben, the pair regularly climbed the majestic mountain range on their doorstep.
“As 16-year-olds we climbed Benbulben and I was hooked,” says Sean who climbed Kilimanjaro in 2014. The pals are used to mountaineering together.
“We climbed to Mount Everest base camp in 2012 and we climbed Ben Nevis in Scotland together last year,” explains Sean. They got the idea to attempt the towering Mont Blanc in the French Alps this summer and a month later on June 8th reached the top (4810 m).
The Daring duo took four days to reach the summit trekking with an Alpine guide via the challenging Gouter route.
There were a few ‘ hairy moments’ on the journey as Sean recalls: “Day one was spent training at altitude on a glacier using ice picks. It was technically very difficult, mentally and physically tough, especially towards the top. I was tied to Cian and Cian was tied to the guide. I remember crossing a narrow bridge with a 1000m fall either side and looking down. But you stay focused. You can always see the summit and you just keep pushing for that.”
On the return journey down the mountain which took a day they experienced a slip on a ridge and fell two to three metres but with the help of their guide and equipment were soon back on track.
“Mont Blanc was much tougher than Kilamanjaro, much more technical. At one stage there was a traffic jam on a narrow bridge. I had to hang onto the bridge with an ice axe,” says Sean.
So the task was not for the faint hearted and both men are extremely proud of the achievement. Sean says: “We raised €2,170 for Pieta House West. We got great support from the people of Sligo. We only had a month to raise the money before the climb.”
They chose this charity as it was close to their hearts. “A lot of people that I know in my age group are going through problems, trying to get going on their careers. Mental Health Pieta House was the perfect charity to do this for. Climbing and outdoor activities are some of the best things for people who may be suffering those kind of problems,” says Sean.
Both Cian and Sean have not hung up their hiking boots yet, next up for the pair is Mount Elbrus in Siberia. Now that’s one for the summertime!