The world of mountain climbing can be thrilling but also dangerous, and sometimes the ultimate sacrifice is paid. Such is the case of an Irish mountain climber who lost his life in the Himalayas. While many grieve at the loss of a loved one, his wife has expressed a striking acceptance of his death, saying that it was his time to go. Her words are a poignant reminder that, in the face of tragedy, sometimes we must find peace and understanding in order to move forward.
Noel Hanna, a 56-year-old bodyguard and fitness instructor who had climbed Mt Everest 10 times, passed away in his sleep after successfully summiting Mt Annapurna, one of the highest and most challenging mountains in the world. His partner, Lynne Hanna, arrived in Kathmandu to bring his body home. While there has been no official cause of death, local reports suggest that Noel was found dead at Camp IV, approximately 1,000m from the summit, in an area prone to avalanches.
At the time of his death, Noel was descending the mountain after successfully reaching the top. It was reported that he had made himself soup, and after consuming it, fell asleep and never woke up. His partner, Lynne, took to Facebook to express her sadness, stating that there was “no drama, no big story” and that “he passed away at Camp 4 on Annapurna after a successful summit.” Lynne also mentioned that Noel had died doing what he loved in the Himalayas, one of his favorite places.
Thaneswar Guragai, manager of Seven Summit Treks in Nepal, where Noel had been a client, recounted how one of his colleagues went to Camp IV in the morning to wake him up and found him dead. According to Thaneswar, Noel was sleeping soundly, and it was not immediately apparent how he had passed away. Subsequent reports suggest that it may have been a heart attack or other natural causes.
Noel’s passing marks the latest fatality on Mt Annapurna, where over 72 people have lost their lives so far. He had climbed it previously and was well aware of the risks he was taking. Reflecting on his outlook on life, he was quoted as saying, “Ever since I was young, I’ve always felt that since the day you are born, there’s a nick in the calendar when you are going to die… and that’s been my motto for living life to the full.”
Noel was an accomplished climber who had summited Mt Everest 10 times, two of which had been with Lynne, who is also an experienced climber. In addition, he had served as a police officer in Northern Ireland for 15 years, during which time he had received the honor of providing close protection for President Bill Clinton during one of his visits to the region.
Noel and Lynne did not have children but shared a love for their three German Shepherd dogs, Babu, Ruskie, and Buddha. The loss of this remarkable climber has saddened the mountaineering community worldwide, and his legacy as a one-in-a-million climber will endure for years to come.
