Liam O’Sullivan Claims New Speed Ascent Record On Mt. Rainier
August 11, 2008
Liam O’Sullivan is claiming that a new speed ascent record on Mt. Rainier has been achieved. This comes less than one month after Justin Merle claimed the same record in which many have disputed. The dispute is centered on the idea that none of these attempts are official. They lack the proper witnesses to put them in the record books. None the less, the Mount Rainer Climbing blog is mentioning Liam’s latest attempt and giving him a final time of 4 hours, 46 minutes, and 29 seconds. This time would beat Merle’s previous ‘unofficial’ record by a mere three minutes.
Liam O’Sullivan, much like Justin Merle, is also a mountain guide for IMG (International Mountain Guides). Liam recently claimed his 100th successful summit of Mt. Rainier.
Once again, I am not mentioning Liam O’Sullivan’s latest claims to spark controversy, but I do think a mention is warranted. After I originally posted about Justin Merle claiming a new record, a big discusion ensued as to why this may not be the case. The argument surrounds the legalities of these records, as they are not being noted as ‘official’ or recognized as such. In order for that to happen, there has to be witnesses. Since O’Sullivan is a guide with IMG, much like Justin Merle, he should know that in order for this to be quantified he must have official proof from Mt. Rainier authorities. Since this is not being mentioned on the Mount Rainier Climbing blog, my guess is that this record will not stand either.
Another argument surrounding the sudden popularity of the speed ascent on Mt. Rainier is that these claims may simply be being used to draw attention to the likes of IMG and offer them up some free publicity. If that is the case, then perhaps these attempts should quit getting the attention that they have, until a speed ascent record is atempted with the monitoring officials offering up some proof that they are, indeed, justified.
Liam O’Sullivan is still going to be congratulated for his 100th ascent of Mt. Rainier this month. He joins a select group of climbers and guides to achieve this feat and should be commended on that effort.
From The Adventurist Vault:
Written by Jason A. Hendricks · Filed Under Mt. Rainier |
I found the Tacoma Tribune blog entry on this so called record. The writer, Craig Hill, says Liam O’Sullivan EMAILED HIM TO TELL HIM OF HIS RECORD.
So O’Sullivan does a totally secretive climb, no timers at the start, no timers at the summit, no timers at the finish, no witnesses at the start, no witnessed at the summit, no witnesses at the finish. Secret. BUT THEN, runs to the PRESS to ANNOUNCE his “new record.”
From Craig Hills blog -
“Just got an e-mail from Liam O’Sullivan, a 29-year-old guide for International Mountain Guides in Ashford.
O’Sullivan … says he climbed Mount Rainier Tuesday morning in 4 hours, 46 minutes, 29 seconds.” http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/adventure/2008/08/08/new_speed_record_on_rainiern:
Hill says -
“None of the climbs were officially timed.”
Funny, the route is 18 miles roundtrip and 18,000 vertical feet roundtrip, AND the route changes weekly during the climbing season, AND the route is totally different each year, AND the route is on totally uncontrolled rough rock and glacier surface, AND, the route changes constantly from being soft and firm, AND the deepness of the snow changes, AND the route-path changes from being a well traveled but not smooth path to a faint path that’s difficult to see, YET, these climbers Merle, Kellogg, O’Sullivan beat each other’s times by a a mere few minutes despite all of this.
Also, look at their TIMES. Kellogg says 4:59:01 seconds. Just under 5 hours. This is typical of frauds. They invent a time that’s just under the hour mark, and often choose the 59. Kellogg then adds 1 second to his time, to make it look real, rather than rounded off.
Then MERLE’s time. 4:49:35 seconds. ONCE AGAIN, 49. This time just under the 50 minute mark. They love their 9’s.
They love their press. They send pictures to the press, like the Seattle Times:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008107014_climbers12m0.html
A joke.
[...] O’Sullivan’s recent claim of a new speed-ascent climb up Mt. Rainier is sparking some very intriguing interest. Liam O’Sullivan recently claimed the [...]