THE brother and girlfriend of heroic Limerick mountaineer Gerard McDonnell who died after climbing K2, the world’s second highest peak, will fly out to Pakistan later this week to meet surviving members of the ill-fated expedition.

Last Friday 37-year-old Gerard, a native of Kilcornan, County Limerick, became the first Irish person to reach the summit of the 8,611 metre K2 mountain on the Pakistani-Chinese border. 

Tragically, celebrations were short-lived when the Limerickman was among a group of 11 climbers who died on their descent the following day, after an ice avalanche at a steep and exposed gully known as the ‘Bottleneck’ above 8,200m.

Cork-based adventurer Pat Falvey, has been liaising with the expedition in Pakistan and the McDonnell family in Kilcornan to arrange a debriefing for family members.

Gerard’s brother JJ, and Alaskan girlfriend Annie Starkey, have now made travel arrangements to fly out to Pakistan later this week to meet expedition leader Wilco van Rooijen, who was airlifted from the mountain.

A statement from the McDonnell family said: “We are extremely proud of the many heroic and brave achievements of our son and brother Gerard. He brought honour not only to us his family, but the whole country when he became the first Irishman to summit K2 on Friday last.”

“The last few days have been a rollercoaster of emotions as we celebrated with joy his historic achievement, and now must try to come to terms with the untimely loss of a great son, brother and friend. Gerard’s love of mountain climbing was surpassed only by his love for his family and friends. Our thoughts are with his long-time girlfriend Annie in his adopted home of Alaska, where he lived for the last 11 years.”

The brave climber’s family went on the describe Gerard as “a kind and loving son” and “a true and proud Irish man”. They also sent their sympathies to the other families who lost loved ones “to the unforgiving elements of K2” and acknowledged the bravery of his Norit team-mates who risked everything in an attempt to rescue Gerard.

Among the 11 who died on the world’s second highest summit last weekend are French climber Hugues d’Aubarede, Norwegian Rolf Bae, and Serbian Dren Mandic.

According to officials in Pakistan, the body of Limerick man Gerard McDonnell will not be recovered from K2. Gerard is survived by his mother Gertie, brother JJ, sisters Martha, Stephanie and Denise, girlfriend Annie and extended family.

A memorial service is now being planned in Kilcornan for the Limerick climber and is expected to take place in the next week or so following the return of family members from Pakistan.