John at the top of Europe

Keith Garvey, Colorado USA; David Doyle, Punchestown, Naas; and John Dowling, Kilcullen; at the summit of Mont Blanc.

As they say, when the going gets tough, the tough get going, writes Brian Byrne.

And that's just what Kilcullen auctioneer John Dowling and two friends did when attempting a climb on Europe's highest mountain recently.

Along with Keith Garvey from Colorado, USA, and David Doyle of Punchestown, John was climbing Mont Blanc as part of a programme to highlight the work of the Dublin Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team, of which the Kilcullen man has been a member since 2008.

A snowstorm came in and the trio were forced to shelter in the Tete Rousse Hut on their way to the 4,810-metre summit of 'La Dame Blanche' which tops the French and Italian Alps.

"We were lucky enough to finally find a decent weather window and we made a burst for it," says John, who has previous climbing experience in the Andes, South America, Grand Paradiso Italy and Island Peak at Everest Base Camp. "It was a very tough climb, and we were glad to be back down safe and sound a few days afterwards."

The Dublin Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team is a voluntary organisation which is on call 24/7 and 365 days a year. "Our rescue callouts have seen a massive increase over the last two years, and that's going to increase further as Failte Ireland steps up its campaign to market Ireland as an outdoor destination."

Back home to the business of dealing in properties, there's a good reason why John might have a faraway look as he nails up a 'For Sale' or 'To Let' signs across mid Kildare and west Wicklow. He's probably thinking of his next ambitious adventure project.

"My ultimate dream is to cross Antarctica to the South Pole," he admits. "And I hope I can do it in the near future."

This article was first published in The Kildare Nationalist.