Nepalese Mountaineering Adventure for Dublin Dad

Local father of two and engineer Rafael Gutierrez, has received his mountaineering certification after reaching the summit of Island Peak in Nepal.

In an epic 21-day hiking and climbing adventure, Rafael along with eight others took on the challenge of the snow and ice-covered mountains to fulfil his dream of climbing in the shadow of Mount Everest. Island Peak, aka Imja Tse, (6,160m) is a mountain in Sagamatha National Park of the Himalayas of eastern Nepal.

Inspired by reading books like ‘Into thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster’ by Jon Krakauer and watching the movie ‘Everest’ he traveled to Mount Everest via Tibet with his wife, Tanibet and their two daughters Tanivet and Jakdhale. He prepared thoroughly for the trip with enough water and an oxygen tank to cope with the elevation.

Given the timing of their trip Everest was covered in clouds but in a moment that felt like heavenly intervention the clouds gave way as they drew close and they were treated to a spectacular view of the famous peak. The window of sighting was less than an hour long but that glimpse of the peak ignited a spark of enthusiasm so strong that Rafael knew he would need to return in order to climb it.

His passion for hiking had started in early childhood and when he was ten years old he climbed the then dormant volcano Popocatepetl in Mexico with a group of friends. He laughs as he reminisces about that climb as he said they were so inexperienced that they just wore jeans, jackets and tennis shoes. On their first attempt they had to turn back due to cloud cover.

Three years later they made another attempt, with basic supplies again and managed to get within 100 feet of the summit. One of their friend’s however was not well and a ranger advised them to descend the volcano as the boy was suffering from high altitude sickness. They could see the rim of the volcano’s crater but reason and concern for the friend endured and they took him back down instead of proceeding to the peak. “The mountain wasn’t going anywhere,” said Rafael. Had they not descended, he could have died. The mountain indeed did not go anywhere but it did change. It became an active Volcano and attempts to climb it were then prohibited.

The call of the mountain after the initial sighting of Mount Everest was so inviting that Rafael set out carefully planning and researching what it would take to achieve his climbing ambition. He checked out gear, climbing stories and reviews on trip advisor as well as starting a local hiking and climbing training program in locations such as Mount Diablo, Livermore Brushy Peak and the Half Dome in Yosemite National Park.

“We initially joined him but he did the bulk of his training alone” said his wife Tanibet, a teacher “We have been together for over 20 years and he wanted to do this since I met him so he has my full support and I am very proud of what he has accomplished”.

Tenzing–Hillary Airport, also known as Lukla Airport, is a small airport in the town of Lukla, in Khumbu, Solukhumbu District, Province No. 1, eastern Nepal and is where Rafael’s climbing adventure began. It is also one of the most dangerous airports in the world.

Their team received a day of intensive training and orientation from the expedition guides from the Nepalese mountaineering adventure company Mountain Monarch at base camp before the climb. The training emphasized safety, knot tying and gear usage. Their motto was “Getting up is optional, coming down is compulsory.”

The actual climb exposed them to spectacular vistas of snow covered landscapes and breathtaking sunlit scenery with deep blue skies. With no electricity, there is also no internet so the disconnection from suburban life was complete and it also brought a profound silence where the only noise came from the hikers. “It was an incredible experience to get lost in time,” Rafael explains “my watch broke so I had no idea what the time was which I found truly liberating”.

Sherpas and porters who are well adapted to the demanding environment were indispensable and surged on ahead of the group carrying their supplies to prepare for their arrival at the next camp site. The climbers carried their essential supplies and gear.

Life in this terrain is hard and very different and sights, sounds, foodstuffs and facilities need adjusting to but the experience was truly unforgettable.

“I enjoyed the challenge and the feeling of being in full control,” says Rafael “everything you experience is up to you. Life is taken down to its most basic form and breathing while placing one foot in front of the other becomes a focal point”.

Rafael hopes that his accomplishment will inspire others to follow their dreams. He also wanted to show his daughters that they can do whatever they set their minds to. He says he wasn’t great at soccer or basketball but he was ok with walking so he chose to pursue it. Both his daughters have black belts in the martial art called Kuk Sool Won which took them seven years to achieve so it’s clear that they already have an idea of self-discipline and perseverance.

“If you’re passionate about something you can make excuses and have regrets or you can make a plan and pay the price for achieving something outstanding in your life. It will be hard, but you can do it,” said Rafael.

Island Peak is listed as an excellent introduction to Himalayan high altitude mountaineering, and can be used as a stepping stone to higher peaks. His adventurous spirit has already set its sights on another target of 7000m and we look forward to seeing what he will do next.

To see some of the stunning photographs taken on this amazing experience click here.

Photo credit: Rafael Gutierrez