NI man fails in bid to scale K2

Terence Bannon gave up his attempt on K2 in the Himalayas

A County Down man has failed in his bid to become the first Irishman to scale K2, one of the world's most dangerous mountains.

Terence 'Banjo' Bannon from Newry finally admitted defeat after surviving the last few days without food.

Banjo, who climbed Mount Everest three years ago, said he will not be back on K2 following his experiences there.

In recent weeks he survived an avalanche in which one of his friends received serious head injuries.

K2, in the Himalaya range, is 8,611 metres above sea level and is the second-highest mountain in the world.

K2 is one of the world's most dangerous mountains

The Newry mountaineer's team was hit by ill-fortune on a number occasions during the climb.

Once, they got as far as camp 4 but had to turn back because of bad weather.

On another occasion he lost all his equipment and had to return to base before making a solo climb to rejoin his team at camp three.

In May 2003, Banjo and his teammate, New Zealander Jamie McGuinness, made a successful ascent of Mount Everest.