Everyone today had a fantastic day out on the mountain even through is rained all day and everyone was soaked to the skin.

We took advantage of the bad weather and decided to make our way up through cascading gullies that were in full flow. We  zig zagged our way over rocky outcrops, climbing up a nice chimney called the step of Carrauntoohil which brought us from the Lower coom to the middle coom on the Mountain before entering the classic Curve Gully. This is  mainly use as a winter route in snow and ice grade 1/2. before breaking out above Irelands highest lake in  Coimin Uachtar into Brother O Shea's Gullys before breaking onto the Beenkeragh Ridge and onto the Summit.  Today was wet, windy and exciting for all of the team out today.

see some of our pictures by click here.

For a feel for the events of the day click on our audio interview below.

The For Ever Young Club:

Derrick  Kroll celebrating his 77th Birthday by climbing Irelands Highest Mountain in stormy conditions, Relaxing with his wife Mary who is also celebrating 54 years of happy bliss of adventure with Derrick.

Enjoying a few pints, music and song in Kate Kearney's Cottage after an exciting day for both. Guide Gerry Walsh www.patfalvey.com Listen to the wisdom from Derrick on Audio Boo click .

Pat's extraordinary life includes more than its fair share of triumphs and disasters, both as a businessman and adventurer.  There were many highs, but there were low points, too. His stories of survival against the odds in business and his adventure life inspire tens of thousands of people every year.

As a businessman…
Pat weathered booms and busts, and over his life as an entrepreneur he experienced the hunger for success, the yearning for more, the disappointment of failures, and the satisfaction of achievement.   For his success, Pat also suffered great costs personally and to his family in a rags to riches story that finally led to a contented, balanced life.

As a world-renowned adventurer…
Pat has lead multi-lingual, multi cultural teams into the highest, coldest, harshest, most remote and beautiful places on planet earth.  Places where even a small mistake in planning, communication or teamwork and decision-making may cost the ultimate price: DEATH.

As a concerned citizen of the world…
He has seen firsthand a changing planet. These changes hold frightening consequences for us as humans: the effects of global warming, climate change, population explosion and the destruction of ethnic cultures by colonizing forces.

Pat’s life has been a roller coaster: colourful, unique and definitely varied right from the start.

From an early beginning
At only seven years of age, Pat’s mentor and grandmother Mary B. O’Callaghan set him up in his first business.  Mary purchased a baby’s pram for Pat to collect second hand clothes for her to sell.  Pat then turned his pram to further good use by collecting turf (a fire fuel) from a nearby coal merchant, and selling kindling from his fathers building yard to old age pensioners. At the age of ten Pat was the wealthiest kid in his area and had a thriving business.

A hunger for success
With a hunger for success and business, Pat left school at just 15 years old “to become a millionaire.” His occupation began as a bricklayer. With enthusiastic zest, and with mentoring from his father, Pat had 20 people working for him in a construction company by 17 years old. At the age of 18, he became a property developer in a rising market, and within a year was building over 200 houses a year.

From here Pat followed his dreams and goals with focus, determination, passion and belief. By the age of 21 Pat had achieved his objective: he was a millionaire.  Life and business were moving fast. Success after success led to him becoming one of Ireland’s leading young business entrepreneurs. Then, when Pat was 29, Ireland entered a severe recession.  Pat took his eye off the ball, overtraded, and cashflow dried up. The banks, who had given an umbrella while the business climate was fine, took it back while it rained. Pat lost everything and went broke. This period of life was traumatic for Pat and for a short period he lost his self-confidence, self esteem, and in turn got depressed. But with belief from family, friends and the business community he bounced back with even greater vigor.  The lessons Pat learned would help lead to future success in business, and in an unforeseen and exciting new career.  From a state of depression and total loss of self-esteem, new ideas took form. Bouncing back at the age of 29, he launched a finance company, rebuilt his construction and property development firm and at 40 retired from the construction and property market to lead a life of a different kind.

A new beginning
To relieve the stress of his dire circumstances, Pat took up hill walking and fell in love with the challenges it presented him. On only his second climb – reaching the summit of Ireland’s highest peak Corran Tuathail – he was so stimulated that he turned to a friend and (with a glint in his eye) declared he was going to climb Mt Everest. Of course everyone thought he was crazy and just a dreamer. He would prove his critics wrong.   He took the disciplines learned from his business career and adapted the skills required to succeed in his new career. He trained hard and learned all the techniques required, not only to be an efficient and competent mountaineer and adventurer but also to become a world-class expedition leader. He honed his skill by climbing with people that had a similar passion for self-sufficiency in the wilds. He perfected his technical skills in being a member of the Kerry Mountain Rescue Team for 9 years, and became involved in a number of spectacular rescues.

A journey of adventure
A new course began to unfold that would take him from the depths of depression to rebuilding his self esteem and confidence, leading to a lifetime of adventure all around the world. With renewed determination and focus he rebuilt this new business, and went on to complete over 65 thrilling and exciting adventures around the world, crossing glaciers, mountains, deserts and jungles to make his dreams a reality.  As an expedition team member and leader Pat has climbed on Mt Everest four times, reaching the summit twice, crossed Antarctica to the South Pole, traversed Greenland over shifting ice flows, as well as completing many more life-changing expeditions.  He also became the first person in the world to have twice reached the highest peak on each of the seven continents, including Mt Everest from both Nepal and Tibet.

The exploration of man
Pat also lived with and studied over 20 tribes of people world-wide, from western man, to nomadic tribes in Africa, to the stone-age tribes in the jungles of West Papua New Guinea. From them, he has discovered fascinating similarities and traits in all of mankind:  to challenge, to change, set goals, and to achieve. Among these various tribes and cultures he has studied what exactly has driven man to succeed since the evolution of our species.

The future
Never one to rest on his laurels, Pat has since formed many exciting new businesses and adventures that keep him busy and stimulate his keen interest and passion for people, places, and wildlife.

Corporate Services

Pat is Ireland’s leading motivational, inspiration and business speaker and CEO of  Pat Falvey begin_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting’s LIFE LONG LEARNING development courses and training modules for the corporate world. He is a business consultant in team development and in achieving maximum results.  

Taking all the experiences of his lifetime in business, extreme adventure, travel and leadership, Pat has created a no-nonsense formula for success. He and his team of corporate trainers have developed a range of presentations and courses that encourage people and companies to realize their full potential.

Adventure Tourism

Pat is CEO of Ireland’s premiere adventure company, Irish and Worldwide Adventures.  With his team of dedicated staff, they offer expeditions, treks, and skills courses as well as walking, wildlife,  holistic, de-stress and fitness tourism holidays and activities in Ireland and around the world.

Golden Circle Adventure Club
Pat is the founding member of the Golden Circle Club, which specialises in adventure for those of mature age.  Believing that life really begins after fifty, Pat and his team have developed specialised adventures in travel, fitness tourism, education and wildlife.  These activities cater for all fitness levels for age groups over 50 – from beginner to those that are more experienced travellers or adventurers.

Pat Falvey begin_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting TV and Film Productions

Having spent a lifetime in business, adventure and exploration in the most beautiful, remote, awe  inspiring places on planet earth and with a variety of different tribal cultures, as a natural extension of his knowledge of these wild places, Pat has developed media partnerships to bring the magic and adventure of these experiences to the general public.

He now works with partners in Ireland, Washington DC and South Africa as a producer and presenter, as well as a safety and location logistics consultant to develop and produce educational, environmental and adventure documentaries and videos. See also Works in progress at the bottom of this article.

Four part TV Series, Beyond Endurance
A story about ordinary people setting themselves a target that most would say was impossible. The program follows their journey as they prepare, train, and endure some of the harshest conditions known to man. They retrace the journey that Ernest Shackleton made across South Georgia to save his men stranded on Elephant Island in the Antarctic.

The controversial ad for participants read “Ordinary men and women wanted for extraordinary expedition; we train you may die.”  Seven thousand people applied and 32 where chosen to make this adventure the biggest group ever to undertake this task.  

The message was clear: with a good team, belief, passion and leadership we are all extraordinary given the right circumstances. Nothing is impossible given the right conditions. Through sheer determination, positive attitude, self-belief and passion for life. Pat has conquered negativities and the fear of failure by always having a go for it attitude and has achieved his ambitions in all he has set his mind to. Go to our Gallery to see this series.

Education

Adventure Based Learning for Youth
Pat founded the Beyond Endurance Adventure Based Learning Experience (BE ABLE) under his Corporate Social Responsibility Charter, which uses exploration of the outdoors to create awareness of global issues, climate change, population explosion their affects. He also hopes to encourage active citizenship in young people, and in particular to nurture an understanding and interest in science and technology.

Education for children, Freddy T. Bear
Pat, with friends Dr. Clare O’Leary and Mary Curtin set about developing the character Freddy T. Bear.  Freddy has a loyal following of over 220,000 children as he chronicles his adventures on expeditions around the world.  This adventure bear is an innovative approach to teaching children (and adults) the geography of the world. Through Freddy’s adventures and discoveries, as relayed in his journal, e-mails, photographs and video coverage, children can learn about the cultures and traditions of the countries he visits. His travels have taken him to many countries around the world, including Nepal, Tibet, Peru, Argentina, Chile, America, Antarctica, Canada, Norway and Europe. He has completed the 7 Summits Challenge and many other adventures alongside his mentors Pat Falvey begin_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting and Clare O’Leary. Freddy is also an educational initiative by Pat, Clare and Mary to teach children to have dreams, goals and aspirations and not to be afraid of failure.  Freddy is 7 bear years old, lives with Pat in Kerry, and has written a number of books with Dr. Clare and Pat.

European Adult Education Project

In September 2009, Pat and his team successfully established a research partnership with eight universities and research institutions across Europe, funded by the EU Lifelong Learning Program and are coordinating the two year EU-funded Grundtvig Programme Project.

The purpose of the project is to build a consortium of experts that will share their knowledge and expertise about informal adult learning in various EU countries. The emphasis of the project will be making various subjects available to the public (adults) through informal learning contexts such as long-distance courses, internet courses, environmental parks, natural history museums, science centres, galleries, nature trails and others.

Corporate Social Responsibility Program

Under Pat’s awareness program he has been heavily involved in numerous charity projects and has helped raise over 750,000 euro in Ireland over the years.  He is also patron to the Suicide Aware Charity in Ireland as a mentor to help others see that in life there is always hope.

Awards

Books & TV

Reach for the Sky - Biography

A Journey to Adventure - Stories I never thought I'd tell
A photo journal full of the stories and images of Pat’s explorations. See our shop for more details

Works in progress:

Upcoming motivational and self help book:
We all have mountains to climb. The Psychology of Success, Finally meeting years of popular demand, this is a book that conveys Pat’s formula for success in people lives. "We all have an Everest no matter who we are and we all have the ability to make it a reality.” To be completed in May 2010.

The Three Poles Expedition - Documentary
Currently in progress.  An adventurous, moving, motivational story with breathtaking imagery that will follow Pat and his team’s journey into the harshest, most remote and dangerous places on earth. The North Pole in the Arctic, The South Pole in Antarctica and the “third pole”, Mt. Everest. These journeys are man’s greatest physical and mental challenges and the book deals with the psychology, planning, leadership, team, training, history, and that the drive that challenges us as humans to achieve such goals.   To be completed December 2010. Go to our Gallery to see more.

Course:      Navigation & Rope Skills Weekend

Altitude:     832m / 2730f approx
Route:        Weather dependent
Date:          March 2nd - 3rd
Duration:     2 days - 18hrs
Grade:        Easy to Moderate
Price:         € 150pp - Residential option available

Fed up of walking on the beaten track? Want to explore off the trail? Try our Navigation and Rope Skills Course!!

Instructors at the Pat Falvey School of Mountaineering have developed a weekend course to provide you with the skills required to be confident and self-sufficient in navigating on the hills and mountains here in Ireland. Along with these skills, you will be introduced to certain Rope Techniques such as coiling, belaying, confidence roping, knots and abseiling.

Pat was a guest speaker at the Launch of the new discovery series of maps for Ireland brought out buy the Ordance Survey of Ireland.

Covering the whole island of Ireland, the series includes 92 individual maps and are specifically designed for tourist and leisure activities. Seventy-five are published by Osi and 17 by Ordnance Survey Northern Ireland.

Pat Falvey, gave a 60 minute inspirational talk pre lunch entitled ‘From Carrantuohill to Everest.’ He underlined how important accurate and high quality mapping is in ensuring safe navigation in wilderness areas. Pat spoke to a packed audience of groups and associations representing outdoor pursuits, including the Irish Mountain Rescue Association, the Irish Ramblers Club, the Walkers Association of Ireland, Scouting Ireland, Failte Ireland, and the National Parks & Wildlife Service as well as many corporate companies from the public and private sector.

Also speaking at the launch, Minister Hanafin said: “I am delighted that Ordnance Survey Ireland produces these superb maps – both for our tourists and for the general public. The Discovery Series reflects the rich natural heritage we have in Ireland. I would encourage everyone to use these maps to explore our unique and world renowned landscape.”

Ms Geraldine Ruane, Chief Executive of OSi said: “We wanted to ensure that our Discovery Series included every feature and detail that these organisations would need in our maps. Our commitment to quality and accuracy is regarded as a benchmark by all mapping agencies in the world. The Discovery Series is our most popular map series and we are always pleased with the fantastic feedback we receive from our customers. Failte Ireland and Tourism Ireland tell us that the Discovery Series plays an important role in attracting tourists to visit Ireland”.

At the launch, OSi also showcased their extensive range of digital mapping technology which is provided to a wide range of Corporate, Government and SME customers. Details of OSi mapping technology can be seen on the OSi website www.osi.ie.

Moving Mountains - Carrauntoohil 3414 feet- With Teena Gates 98 fm Also listen to podcast Moving Mountains

Pushing over the top of the ridge I gasped in surprise "you kept this a secret" as the grey slatted rocks that I'd been climbing up like stairs fell away to a ridge that slipped over the edge of the world - with green and grey and golden waves rolling off into the clouds below to crash on rocks as old as the world itself.

Arriving at the Mountain Lodge of adventurer Pat Falvey, I wear my enthusiasm for the climb ahead like a badge, or a sheet of armour; as quaking in my climbing boots I wonder whether I can really make it to the top of Carrauntoohil, 3,500 feet and Ireland's highest mountain.  I dread the thought of slowing down the group going out.  Was walking in the Wicklow hills enough preparation, or will I be hopelessly outpaced, and mortified in front of strangers?  Listening carefully to the briefing, I spot the change of tone as the larger than life Pat switches gear from wise-cracks and fun, to sober comment, host turned leader, as he talks about the need to keep up when push comes to shove. There are only so many hours of daylight to climb a mountain. Another snatched, silent conversation with myself and what now seems like the lunacy of being here; I breathe deeply, commit myself, and we're off.

Walking past the memorials in the carpark at the foot of Carrauntoohil, I'm reminded that we're approaching a sleeping giant sweeping calmly up in front, glowing green and purple, serene in the sun but ready with a fickle flick to change the odds in a heartbeat.  Crossing the first of a number of bridges on the way up, our guides explain about flash floods that came off the mountain snatching the life from one young woman within sight of the very carpark we'd just left.  It's sobering, but we push ahead and despite being nervous, my spirits soar as my muscles warm and I break into a light sweat, learning more about the other climbers in the group, and feeling relief as I discover I'm not the only one here for the first time.  There is huge reassurance in that, company for the challenge ahead.   Approaching the first of 3 lakes, we stop to catch our breath, and catch up on more from the guides about the history and folklore of the hills around us.

Shortly afterwards we came to a halt at what, to me, seemed to be an impenetrable sheet of rock.   "3 points of contact - up" announced Pat, and he was up and climbing - no ropes, no carabinos, no clips, no dress-rehearsal... no way.  "Are you mad?" I scream silently, as I toy with the thought of running as fast as my walking boots will take me in the opposite direction.  Breathing deeply, another silent conversation with myself as I call on my personal mantra for tough times, 'one foot in front of another & breathe'.  I focus, find the foothold Pat points to and looking up, the rocks above begin to take on new images of hand-holds and potential grips.  Swinging up to my 'three-points of contact' I look again and see and find, and reach and stretch and find my feet.  Confidence growing I move again, switching weight, muscles engaging, responding, reacting.  My breath deepens and I find a rhythm; I'm 'scrambling' and a smile bursts across my face as I realise I'm loving it.

A couple of hours later, after climbing over rocks, picking through moss and heather, and the trudge of putting 'one foot in front of another' on tired legs, the seasons change again and bright sunshine gives way to biting icy rain and a piercing wind.  As the elements kick off, I rip out fleece and coat, and hat and gloves.  How quickly a warm body can turn to deathly chill on a mountain, a chilling nudge from the idle giant.   Measured breathing and a steady pace allows for conversation with my colleagues, it's nice; they're good people and we exchange tips about breathing and walking and I learn small, subtle things, that make sense on a mountain.

The mist closes in as we close on the summit. The light is creamy, silver and unusual.  With the dark rocks below my feet and hands, and the rain dripping from my nose and hair and stinging my eyes, I feel like I'm walking in a plastic bubble, that I can reach up and punch through to the daylight outside. Conscious again of the flow of my breath, of keeping a rhythm, of putting one foot in front of another.  Then a cross looms out of the mist and the wind whips my face, as I recognise the scene from photos poured over in recent days.  We've made it, I've made it.

Standing at the top, hugging, laughing sharing smiles and joy with other climbers coming over the edge, I'm humbled and proud, conflicted; torn between the contradiction of the power of the mountain beneath me, and the power of the body that brought me to stand on top of the highest peak in Ireland.  Without warning the mist clears, I'm bathed in sunlight and a sudden movement pulls my eye down off the peak to the rocks below.  Clouds are flying past at speed below me, and I wonder in amazement as I watch, feeling slightly dizzy, as if someone put the world on 'fast forward'.

The descent is tough, weight thrown down on my haunches, but knees and ankles bear up, and nothing can wipe the smile from my face.  Buzzing, hooked, knowing it's the start of new adventures and challenges.  Carrauntoohil has not seen the last of me, and I have not seen the last of it.  In the weeks ahead working in the gym, grappling with the final few minutes on the treadmill, or groaning over floor exercises and stretches, this Kerry mountain will be flashing through my mind, a reward and a promise and a lure to pull the extra mile from the rowing machine.  That peak, that feeling of reaching the summit has left Kerry and travels back to Dublin with me on my journey.  Today, I have moved mountains.

Pat was guest speaker at a recent get together of Mothers Union an organisation that has over  4 million members working in 81 countries,

Pats presentation focused on his travels to over 50 countries throughout the world and having lived and researched the progress of evolution of man since our first appearance on planet earth. He has experienced life with over 30 different tribes of people mainly in third world countries.

In his presentation. Pat expressed his belief that no matter who we are or where we live, that we are all the same if given the same opportunity.  That the family is the key element to our progress in life and it is through education that we can achieve fairness and equality in our unbalance world.

“Whether it’s stone age tribes to western man we as humans have the same emotions and feeling, we love, care, respect, have pride, have the same feeling when it comes to sorrow pain and joy. That no matter who we are we need to progress and challenge ourselves to succeed on our set out goals and objectives.”

He complimented Mothers' Union and their members in their work for being passionate about caring for families all around the world.

For further information on Mothers Union www.themothersunion.org

Clare Poole, Mothers Union.

“We need people like Pat to spur us on in these ‘down times’ We were all dumb struck with his ability to hold the audience, with amazing inspirational stories of the places his been, the people he has met, the lessons he has learnt and the shear focus he possesses to follow his dreams. We all appreciated his passionate and propelling attitude”