Wicklow native Oisin McDevitt has set a speed record for summiting Island Peak in the Himalayas at the grand old age of twelve!
Last year he became the youngest European to stand on top of two continents – Europe and Africa – after he summited both Kilimanjaro and Mt Elbrus.
Oisin currently lives in Jersey but is originally from Rathdrum. His latest challenge saw him tackle the Himalayas.
Twelve-year-old Oisin McDevitt and his father Fergus.
Oisin travelled to Kathmandu with his father Fergus to climb Island Peak on the flanks of MT.Everest. At 6,200m this is the highest mountain the youngster has attempted.
In the early hours of Friday morning, he successfully reached the top after a gruelling climb and a very challenging technical ridge climb to the summit. They managed this in a mere four-and-a-half days from Lukla to the summit, setting speed records for the climb in an achievement that is totally unprecedented for adults, let alone a 12-year-old boy.
Severe cyclonic winds forecast for the weekend meant it was now or never for Oisin and Fergus, hence the speed at which they managed to reach the summit. In order to avoid the forecast, the pair pushed on at night rather than stopping at Island Base Camp overnight.
Source: www.independent.ie
