In May, KPMG’s Robert Mortell became the youngest Irish person to reach the peak of Mount Everest.
Why did you decide to climb Mount Everest?
I love a challenge and as a mountaineer, Mount Everest seemed like a natural goal. Once I decided on the climb, I put a four-year plan in place to prepare both physically and mentally.
Four years is a long time. How did it pan out?
I had to put study and work first so my expedition training was scheduled around exams. I climbed the Alps in summer 2013, Alaska in summer 2014 and the Himalayas in October 2015 – one month after my FAE exams. I had to manage my time ruthlessly, but the management team in KPMG were incredibly supportive.
Were you worried about the risk of climbing Mount Everest?
There’s a risk with every climb, but I learn every aspect of every route to the summit before I commit. I also train hard, learn how my body copes in extreme environments and learn about my teammates’ experiences. This helps manage the risk, which is all you can do.
What was the best part of your Mount Everest climb?
There were three highlights. Firstly, arriving at base camp, as this marked the official start for our climb. Second was reaching the summit after two months acclimatising through rotations on the mountain. And third, our safe return to base camp. The descent was a difficult journey.
What’s your advice for other ambitious trainees?
Plan your goals strategically and understand the incremental steps required to achieve success. Never rule anything out as being too difficult. Nothing is too difficult if you prepare with small steps. And most importantly, enjoy the process rather than focusing solely on the result.