Hugs and tears as O'Leary returns to base

One week after becoming the first Irish woman to climb the world's highest mountain, Dr Clare O'Leary has returned to Everest base camp to "hugs, smiles, laughs, tears" from other international expeditions.

A support group of Irish trekkers, including Dr O'Leary's younger brother, Kevin, will be participating in the celebrations at the 17,000 ft base camp this week before the group packs up and departs for Kathmandu. Sheer joy at her achievement, and that of Pat Falvey, will be tempered with sheer relief that everyone made a safe descent.

Only hours after the successful summit, several of the Irish expedition's Sherpa team were involved in rescuing other climbers who got into difficulties at the 26,000 ft South Col. None of the Irish expedition was in danger, it was confirmed later to Adrian Rahill, running communications at base. However, the expedition's two-day descent was made in rising winds and a deteriorating weather situation.

Dr O'Leary, Pat Falvey and the Sherpa team of Pemba Gyalji, the expedition's climbing sirdar or director, Lamababu, Jangbu, Lhakpa Onchhu and Nang Chemmi left Camp 4 or High Camp Wyeth on the South Col on Wednesday with a strong wind blowing and forecast of more. Visibility was down to five metres at some stages of the final haul on Thursday from Camp 2 to base, through the Khumbu ice fall. They picked up hints of base camp as they came over the ice ridge, to be met by base camp support team Adrian Rahill, Sheila Kavanagh and Dawe, while Sherpa Da Rinji was preparing a hearty meal.

The Bandon gastroenterologist may be exhausted but she has already decided she wants more. Speaking to The Irish Times from the South Col after her summit last Tuesday, Dr O'Leary said she would like to become one of that select group of mountaineers who has climbed the world's seven summits - or highest mountains on each continent. Pat Falvey is among that group of about 80 men and women. Dr O'Leary is already one of 75 women who has climbed Everest and one of seven Irish people who has reached the elusive summit.

The Irish Wyeth Everest expedition is due to leave Nepal for Ireland on June 2nd.