Noel Hanna was born in the tiny, cozy town of Dromara in the Northern Irish territories. He was born on February 15, 1967. He is the personification of the words adventure and perseverance. He started his great journey as an ordinary boy with a brave heart and ended up becoming one of the most prominent names in mountaineering history.
Northern Ireland is an enchanting place with picturesque landscapes and majestic terrains. It was likely for Hanna to be so captivated with mountains and ascending them since he was a little boy.
It is documented that his love for adventurous life started with his climb in the Mourne Mountains in his homeland. His confidence and determination to set foot on the mysterious and dangerous mountains led him to become the history he is.
Noel’s captivating and inspiring journey of mountaineering adventure started with humble beginnings. Still, later in life, he stepped on some of the world’s most dangerous and sought-worthy mountains and peaks.
He successfully ascended some of the most formidable peaks in the world, including the mighty Mount Everest, the tallest mountain on the Earth.
He was quick to climb other really tall mountains, too. He set his foot on unforgivable mountains like K2, Kanchenjunga, Annapurna, etc, but what really makes him such a prominent name in the forthcoming generations of mountaineering is his commitment to ethical climbing practices and his help towards mentoring new generations of mountaineers.
Noel Hanna’s legacy is celebrated by mountaineers all over the world, and rightfully so. In this article, we will go through the journey of life of one of the best mountaineers who set foot on the planet.
Tragic Death of Noel Hanna
Noel Hanna had an extraordinary mountaineering career but unfortunately, it had to come to an end on April 18,2023 in Nepal. According to BBC, Hanna took his last breaths in a tent while descending from Mount Annapurna which is the tenth highest mountain range in the world.
On April 17, he had successfully climbed the peak but while descending the next day, he was dead overnight. The cause of his death is not well documented but it is predicted that the reason was him being deprived of Oxygen as he did not carry any supplemental oxygen with himself during that climb.
It is undoubtedly true that he is an inspiration for mountaineers of this generation and many to come. His legacy lives on!
Noel Hanna Early life
Ever since he was young, Noel had a natural attraction for nature. He loved spending hours wandering through his hometown’s hills and forests, but the majestic Mourne Mountains nearby truly stole his heart and sparked his love for mountaineering.
Although Noel’s first steps in the world of mountains were not remarkable, they were definitely purposeful. They served the purpose of seeding into his brain, the love and passion for mountainous adventure.
It is documented that in his early life, Noel had joined a few local mountain climbing clubs that provided him a formal training for what the future held. Even at that ripe age, it is said that he showed a natural talent and unwavering bravery and determination.
One notable thing about his life, especially his early life, is that his family was very supportive of his love and passion for mountains. In fact, his family played a crucial role in forming the resilient mountaineer that he was.
The birth givers to this brave mountaineer were two Irish folks named John and Mary Hanna. Noel’s father, John, worked in the fields as a farmer. It can be said that his father was where he inherited his hard working characteristics from.It is also documented that he and his mother had a really good bond, and she played a significant role in motivating Noel in his journey.
Noel grew up with his siblings. They shared a love for nature and adventure, exploring the Mourne Mountains together and forming lasting bonds. The Hanna household was always filled with laughter and friendship.
Remarkable Accomplishment Of Veteran Irish Adventurer Noel Hanna
| YEAR | EVENT | PLACING |
| 1996 | Certified Exercise + Fitness instructor with Northern Ireland Institute Of Coaching | N/A |
| 1997 | Certified Instructor with British Amateur Weight Lifting Association | N/A |
| 1997 | Himalayan 100 mile Stage Race | 1st |
| 1998 | Los Angeles Crest 100 Miler | 19th |
| 1999 | Marathon Des Sables (Sahara Desert) | Paced 1st Female |
| 1999 | Badwater 135 | 10th |
| 1999 | Eco-Challenge 12 Day Adventure Race – Patagonia | N/A |
| 2000 | Eco-Challenge 12 Day Adventure Race – Borneo | N/A |
| 2000 | Adrenalin Rush 5 Day Adventure Race | 1st |
| 2001 | Eco-Challenge 12 Day Adventure Race – New Zealand | N/A |
| 2001 | Appalachian Extreme 4 Day Adventure Race | 3rd |
| 2002 | Marathon Des Sables (Sahara Desert) | Paced 5th Female |
| 2002 | Adrenalin Rush 5 Day Adventure Race | 1st |
| 2002 | Beast of the East 5 Day Adventure Race | 1st |
| 2002 | Eco-Challenge 10 Day Adventure Race – Fiji | N/A |
| 2002 | Primal Quest 10 Day Adventure Race | 7th |
| 2002 | Birmingham Indoor Race | 6th |
| 2003 | Irish 2 Day Adventure Race – Cork | 1st |
| 2003 | Irish 2 Day Adventure Race – Wicklow | 1st |
| 2003 | Irish 2 Day Adventure Race – Newry | 1st |
| 2003 | 24 Hour Mountain Bike Race – Tahoe | 1st |
| 2003 | Himalayan 100 mile Stage Race | 2nd |
| 2004 | Ukatak 5 Day Adventure Race – Quebec (BBC) | 1st |
| 2004 | Climbed to summit of Pequeno Alpamayo (5337mt) Bolivia | N/A |
| 2004 | Airboure Sweden – 6 Day Adventure Race | 7th |
| 2004 | Primal Quest 10 Day Adventure Race | 10th |
| 2004 | Vermont 100 Mile Race | |
| 2005 | Climbed to summit of Mt. Aconcagua (6962m) Argentina, then cycled to sea-level Cancun – Chile 28Hrs from summit to sea | N/A |
| 2005 | Climbed to the North Col Everest 7050m | N/A |
| 2006 | Climbed to summit of Mt. Everest (8848m) – Tibet, then cycled from basecamp to the sea at Bay of Bengal. (1800 kms, 16 days, 23hrs 45mins from summit to sea) | N/A |
| 2006 | Climbed to summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro (5896m) Africa, then cycled from park entrance to the sea at Tanga (37 hrs 40 mins from summit to sea) | N/A |
| 2007 | Climbed to summit of Mt McKinley/Denali (6194m) Alaska then trekked/cycled to sea-level Anchorage (10 days, 20hrs, 30 mins. from summit to sea) | N/A |
| 2007 | Climbed to summit and traversed Mt Elbrus (5642m) Russia then cycled to sea-level Tyapse Black sea (4 days, 23 hrs from summit to sea) | N/A |
| 2007-2014 | Climbed to summit of Mont Blanc (4810m) France more than 12 times | N/A |
| 2008 | Climbed to summit of Carstensz Pyramid in Irian Jaya then trekked/cycled to the see at Nabire (11 days, 9hrs 5mins from summit to sea) | N/A |
| 2009 | Climbed to summit of Mt .Everest with wife Lynne (South – Nepal side) | N/A |
| 2009 | Climbed to summit of Mt. Vinson Antarctica then skied to frozen sea at Hercules inlet (300kms) | N/A |
| 2009/2012 | Climbed to summit of Mt. Elbrus Russia | N/A |
| 2010-2014 | Climbed to summit of Kilimanjaro 4 times | N/A |
| 2010-2013 | Climbed to summit of Monte Rosa (4634m) Switzerland/Italy 3 times | N/A |
| 2010-2014 | Climbed to the summit of Mt. Everest. (North –Tibet side) 5 times | N/A |
| 2011 | Accompanied and assisted 3 generations of same family to summit of Mt. Blanc | N/A |
| 2011 | Completed Advanced Close Protection/Body Guard course | N/A |
| 2013 | Co-ordinated and Guided Valery Rozov and Red Bull on World’s Highest Base/Wing Suit Jump of Mt Everest’s North summit Mt Changtse | N/A |
| 2013 | Comrades Ultra Marathon South Africa | N/A |
| 2013 | Qualified Close Protection Officer | N/A |
| 2014 | 2014 completed World’s Highest Ice Bucket Challenge on summit of Kilimanjaro | N/A |
| 2014 | Accompanied and assisted 3 generations of same family to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro. 1st time for this record. | N/A |
| 2014 | Climbed to summit of Ama Dablam | N/A |
| 2015 | Climbed to camp 3 on K2 | N/A |
| 2014 | Climbed to summit of MT Everest | N/A |
| 2016 | Climbed to summit of MT Everest with wife Lynne | N/A |
| 2017 | Climbed to summit of Aconcagua | N/A |
| 2017 | Climbed to the summit of Monviso via east ridge | N/A |
| 2017 | Climbed to 8200mts on Kanchenjunga | N/A |
| 2017 | Climbed to summit of Kilimanjaro | N/A |
| 2017 | 1st Ascent of Burke Khan 6942mts | N/A |
| 2018 | Climbed to 8353 mts on Kanchenjunga | N/A |
| 2018 | 1st Irish person to successfully summit and descend K2 8611 mts | N/A |
| 2018 | Climbed to summit of Kilimanjaro with 11 year old American and his dad | N/A |
| 2018 | Climbed to summit of Mt Elbrus 5642 mts | N/A |
| 2018 | Climb to 6666 mts on Khangri Shar peak | N/A |
| 2019 | Climb to summit of Pico De Orizaba 5636mts with 12 year old American kid and his dad. Climbed peak twice in 7 days. | N/A |
| 2019 | Climb to summit of Mt.Everest 8848mts with 1st Black African female | N/A |
| 2019 | Climbed to summit of Mt.Manaslu 8163mts with Lynne – Both climbed without using supplemental Oxygen | N/A |
| 2019 | Climbed to summit of Kilimanjaro. | N/A |
| 2020 | Climbed to summit of Ojos Del Salado 6893mts | N/A |
| 2021 | Climbed to 7300mts on K2 Winter expedition | N/A |
| 2021 | Climbed to summit of Everest ( 10th time ) | N/A |
Notable Expeditions of Noe Hanna
Noel Hanna is undoubtedly one of the most prominent names in the history and community of mountaineers. He has an impressive list of expeditions and accomplishments that make his name still sought after his tragic death.
Mount Everest
In 2006, Noel set his foot on the tallest mountain in the world, the Everest. This expedition changed his trajectory of success. Mount Everest stands at the mighty height of 8848 meters. It changed not only his career but also his whole life. The unforgivable challenges he faced during this expedition due to harsh weather, altitude sickness, and illness and carrying his life at stake every second shaped his career in the mountains.
It is documented that in 2007, he climbed Everest from the side of Tibet and he had cycled from the basecamp to the seat at Bay of Bengal. This entire journey cost him around 16 days, 23 hours and 45 minutes of his life. It is the time that was required from the summit to the sea and the distance was 1800 meters.
In the year 2009, Noel decided to go against Mount Everest yet again the only difference was that this time he was accompanied by his wife Lynne. This time instead of the Tibet side, he succeeded this ascent from the side of Nepal.
Now comes the end of the decade 2010, the year Noel decided to create a remarkable history. He decided to climb the tallest mountain Everest 5 times in the span of 4 years. From 2010 to 2014, Noel Hanna climbed Everest successfully 5 times.
Then in the year 2016, yet again with his wife he decided to climb Everest and successfully did so, yet again.
In the year 2019, he was able to create history for not just himself but also for someone else. He climbed Everest once again but this time accompanied by the first-ever Black African woman to climb Everest. The woman is Sophia Danenberg.
The year 2021 was when he set foot in the majestic land of Everest for the tenth time in his lifetime. It is not a secret that the Everet is deadly and difficult but Noel Hanna was one of the few people who did it more than 5 times. He climbed the tallest mountain in the world 10 times which is really impressive.
Kilimanjaro
According to Hanna’s official website, in the year 2006, Hanna and his team were able to get their hands on one of the most prominent mountains in the world and in fact one of the tallests in Africa, the mount Kilimanjaro. Mount Kilimanjaro stands high at an impressive height of 5869 meters above sea level. According to the website, Hanna then cycled from the park entrance of Kilimanjaro to the famous sea of Tanga. This journey required 37 hours 40 minutes and 50 seconds of his precious life from summit to the sea.
And in the year of 2017, Kilimanjaro was again added to his list of mighty mountains and he successfully completed the ascent.
The year 2018 was when he created another history. This time he not only climbed Kilimanjaro but he did this with an 11 year old American father and son duo, defeating the challenges once again.
Pequeno Alpamayo
According to Noel Hanna’s official website, Hanna’s first documented successful major mountain climb was his ascent to the summit of Pequeno Alpamayo in the year 2004. The summit lies tall at 5337 meters above sea level. The peak is one of the tallest peaks in the country of Bolivia. This climb added into the fuel of his bravery and determination which further inspired him to take the major risk to ascend to various taller mountains all over the world, in fact the top 10 mountain peaks above sea level including the tallest, Mount Everest.
Mount Aconcagua
In the year 2005, Noel Hanna climbed the summit of Mount Aconcagua which is one of the tallest mountains of South America. Noel successfully cycled to sea level Cancun, Chile which is 28 hours from summit to the sea. Mount Aconcagua stands incredibly tall at 6929 meters above sea level in the territory of Argentina.
In the year 2017, he tried his luck again with Mount Aconcagua, only this time he returned as a mountaineer with a successful mountaineering career as someone who had climbed the tallest mountains in the world.
Mount Mckinley/Denali
According to the official website of Noel Hanna, in the year 2007, Noel Hanna had decided to set foot in Alaskan land. Hanna and his team were determined to climb the infamous summit of Mount Mckinley which is also commonly referred as Denali which stands at a height of 6194 meters. Not only they took this challenge but also successfully won the challenge. After successfully climbing yet another mighty unforgivable mountain peak, Noel Hanna cycled to sea level Anchorage. The cycling journey took exactly 10 days 20 hours 30 minutes and 44 seconds from the high altitude of the summit to the low altitude of the sea.
K2
His expedition to the second highest mountain in the world, K2 in Pakistan, is still one of the most famous mountain ascents of his life. This brave and daring ascent took place in 2018. K2 is termed as the “savage mountain” because of how unforgiving and dangerous it is towards the climbers who try to conquer it. Any climber who tries their luck in K2 is brave because of the high mortality rate while climbing. It is the same case with Noel, the K2 expedition required really extensive planning and unwavering teamwork bravery for facing the challenges that K2 threw in the face
In the year 2018, Noel became the first Irish to climb and descend the mighty K2.
It is to be mentioned that the above-mentioned list contains the mountains and peaks which are more prominent in the world of mountaineering but that is not all. Including all these several and impressive list of climbs, he successfully climbed many other summits like Mount Elbrus(5642 meters) in Russia, Carstensz Pyramid in Irian Jaya, Ama Dalbam etc.
Mont Blanc
According to Noel Hanna’s official website, in the year 2007, Hanna set his foot in a French mountain named Mont Blanc which happens to be one of the most famous mountain peaks in the entire world and his relationship with this mountain was so deep that he ended up climbing this summit 12 times which makes us wonder if it was his favorite climb in his mountaineering journey career. The 12 successful ascents were in the span of 7 years, that is from the year 2007 to the year 2014.
Monte Rosa
In the year 2010, Noel Hanna set his foot in the Swiss Land. He successfully climbed the summit of Monte Rosa(4634 meters) and he not only did it once but he did it thrice.
Kanchenjunga
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Another notable expedition was his climb of Kanchenjunga in 2013. Kangchenjunga presents its unique challenges as one of the world’s 8,000-meter peaks, from crevasses to avalanches. This expedition showcased Noel’s adaptability and ability to navigate treacherous terrain to pursue his goals.
Manaslu
The eighth highest mountain in the world is Manaslu. Noel Hanna has successfully conquered Manaslu in the year 2012. The Manaslu expedition required really extensive planning and unwavering teamwork bravery for facing the challenges that Manaslu threw in the face.This achievement is just one of many impressive feats he’s accomplished at high altitudes.
He completed this climb with his wife and he created history. He completed this journey without any help of Supplemental oxygen and his wife Lynne also created history by becoming the first female from the island of Ireland to summit 8000+ meters mountains without the help of supplemental oxygen.
Annapurna
Mount Annapurna in Nepal is one of the most dangerous mountains in the entire world. But Noel Hanna was determined to succeed over the challenges that Annapurna threw towards him. In 2016, he was determined to add the Annapurna ascent to his list of impressive mountain climbs of his entire career.
Dhaulagiri
Noel Hanna’s voyage to Dhaulagiri 2014 was another noteworthy accomplishment. Dhaulagiri, the seventh highest peak globally, is known for its remote location and technical hardships. His victorious ascent highlighted his mastership to venture even the most challenging peaks.
Gasherbrum II
In the year 2008, Noel Hanna decided to add Gasherbrum II to his list of successful climbs of his mountaineering journey. This expedition took place in the Karakoram Range of Pakistan. Noel Hanna has climbed numerous 8,000 meter peaks and he added this to his list as well.
Broad peak
Noel Hanna accomplished something truly remarkable in 2010, he summited Broad Peak, a notoriously difficult mountain in the Karakoram Range of Pakistan. This achievement is just one of many impressive feats he’s accomplished at high altitudes.
Cho Oyu
The sixth highest mountain in the world is Cho Oyu. Noel Hanna has successfully conquered Cho Oyu in the year 2011. The Cho Oyu expedition required really extensive planning and unwavering teamwork bravery for facing the challenges that Cho Oyu threw in the face.This achievement is just one of many impressive feats he’s accomplished at high altitudes.
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