Mountaineer Terence Bannon is facing a new challenge

Terrence 'Banjo' Bannon, 35, from Newry, is to climb to the summit of the notorious K2. He plans to make the climb without assistance or oxygen.

If successful, he will be the first Irish climber ever to get to the top of the so-called "mountain of mountains'

As a solo climb, on one of the world's most treacherous peaks, his attempt on K2 will be his toughest challenge.

An Irish team will accompany him on the expedition to base camp.

They plan to set out in June and Mr Bannon hopes to reach the top by the end of July 2005.

Over the years, K2 has been called the "savage mountain" and "a death trap".

Fifty-one years ago on 31 July, two Italian climbers, Lino Lacedelli and Achille Compagnoni, braved wind, rain and storm to climb the second highest - and arguably - most dangerous mountain in the world.

Dangerous feat

Despite improvements in technology, the mountain is considered as dangerous today as it was then. It has a much higher rate of fatalities than Everest.

Two years ago, Mr Bannon and his team-mate New Zealander Jamie McGuinness, 37, reached the top of the world's highest peak, Everest, on 31 May.

It was the first time a team from Northern Ireland had reached the summit and followed the success of an Irish team earlier in the month.

Speaking at the time of that conquest, he described it as "a great sensation", but admitted that there were setbacks as he neared the top which made him think he might have to turn back.

It took the pair nine hours to climb the final 500 metres of Everest, using oxygen supplies and head torches to guide them.