Climbing team to resume Everest search for Séamus

A TEAM of professional climbers will today resume the search for missing Irishman Séamus Lawless, who disappeared just hours after reaching the summit of Mount Everest.

The search for the assistant professor in artificial intelligence at Trinity College – who is from Bray, Co. Wicklow – was suspended on Friday due to high winds and severe temperatures, and has now turned into a recovery operation.

The expedition handling agency, Seven Summits Treks, along with the Irish Government and Mr Lawless’s family, decided yesterday to launch a recovery operation above Camp IV on Everest, where Mr Lawless was last seen.

The area where the search will be carried out is known as the death zone, due to very low oxygen levels.

Mingma Sherpa, chairman at Seven Summit Treks, said a team of nine climbers has been formed and will be led by Co. Down adventurer Noel Hanna, who led Mr Lawless’s group.

Speaking to the Himalayan Times, Mingma Sherpa said: ‘Hanna-led team will leave for Camp IV from the base camp later this evening.’

A fundraising drive on the GoFundMe crowdfunding page, setup by Mr Lawless’ family last Friday, has so far raised €260,000.

They aim to raise €750,000, as they claim the insurance company which provided a policy for Mr Lawless are currently not providing financial assistance to the search and rescue operation.

Mr Lawless attempted the mammoth climb to raise up to €25,000 for Barretstown, a charity dedicated to seriously ill children and their families.