A father died after falling around 100ft from a treacherous mountain ridge while training for a planned trek to Mount Everest base camp, an inquest heard.
Adrian McAnarney, a 57-year-old father of two, had travelled about 200 miles from his home in Katesbridge, County Down, to Snowdonia with friends for the hike.
The inquest heard that the group of seven hikers, known as the Sunset Seekers, had taken a ferry from Dublin to Holyhead in North Wales for the expedition.
Their trip ended in tragedy when Mr McAnarney fell approximately 100ft, landing on a cliff ledge in front of fellow hiker Fiona Mawhinney.
The accident happened in August on the well-known Crib Goch route to Snowdon, a narrow ridge flanked by steep, rocky slopes.
In a statement read to the inquest, Ms Mawhinney said she had been walking with Mr McAnarney along the Miner’s Path while their other five companions made their way towards Crib Goch.
She said Mr McAnarney told her, “I think we’re too low down. We need to go up,” before the pair continued along a goat track.
Ms Mawhinney said she turned to see Mr McAnarney reaching for a large stone before he fell backwards onto a wide slab.
Adrian McAnarney, a 57-year-old father of two from Katesbridge, County Down, died after falling around 100ft from a Snowdonia mountain path while preparing for a trek to Mount Everest base camp
A post-mortem examination found that Mr McAnarney died from multiple crush injuries. Assistant coroner Sarah Riley concluded that his death was accidental
The fatal fall occurred on the famous Crib Goch route to Snowdon, which has a narrow ridge and steep rocky slopes on either side
The inquest heard that Mr McAnarney, a joiner and part-time boat attendant, continued falling for around 100ft before sustaining a head injury described as “incompatible with life”.
“I screamed his name several times and shouted for someone to phone an ambulance,” Ms Mawhinney said.
She tried to follow him in an attempt to help, but an off-duty police officer stopped her because the route was considered too dangerous.
The Llanberis mountain rescue team and a rescue helicopter were sent to the scene, but Mr McAnarney was pronounced dead at the rescue base.
His wife, Monica McAnarney, said he was passionate about hiking and had been planning to reach Mount Everest base camp in November.
The planned hiking challenge was intended to raise money for the Northern Ireland Hospice charity.
The inquest in Caernarfon heard that a post-mortem examination concluded he had died from multiple crush injuries.
Assistant coroner Sarah Riley said Mr McAnarney, of Katesbridge, County Down, had fallen from a height on Crib Goch and suffered fatal injuries.
She concluded: “My conclusion is therefore one of accident.”
After his death, friends had said he had been a regular hiker in the Mourne Mountains and had climbed Kilimanjaro for a hospice charity three years ago.
A death notice said: ‘Tragically as a result of an accident in Wales, Adrian, devoted husband of Monica, cherished father of Jack and Charlie, loving brother of Sean, Brian, Eamon, Cathal and Jacqueline McClorey and son of the late John and Margaret. May he Rest In Peace.
‘He will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his heartbroken wife, sons, brothers, sister, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, parents-in-law Michael and Ann Duffy (Banbridge), nephews, nieces and the entire family circle.’
Tributes have now poured in to the ‘absolute gentleman’ following his death.
One person said: ‘There are no words. Such terrible news to hear. We had the pleasure of sharing a house in Italy with Adrian this year while on a hiking trip. He was a true gentleman with a pure passion for hiking. Rest in peace, Adrian.
‘May your memory live on, every path climbed and every summit reached. It was a pleasure to have known you. Condolences to all your family at this difficult time.’
Fellow Kilimanjaro hiker Emma Mullen said: ‘You were an incredible human being. We were blessed to know you and honoured to have walked some of life’s paths with you. You will be sadly missed. Sending all my thoughts and prayers to Monica, Jack and Charlie.’
