Dublin woman sets off for Papua New Guinea in bid to climb world's highest volcanos
Milasha Joseph has already scaled the likes of Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa in her bid to complete the feat.
It's an ambition inspired by a desire during the pandemic lockdown of five years ago to improve her stamina and endurance.
'It was to break out of my comfort zone,' Milasha explained to
The Journal
. 'I was thinking of trying to do something like skydiving or something adventurous, but at that point, I couldn't do it because it was hard to travel outside the country.
'So I thought, I'll train my body and do something like hiking. By 2021, I thought, okay, fine, I could do this. So why not seven volcanic summits?'
Those
seven summits in full
are:
Mount Kilimanjaro – Africa
Mount Damavand – Asia
Mount Elbrus – Europe
Pico De Orizaba – North America
Ojos del Salado – South America
Mount Giluwe – Oceania (which is considered a continent in some parts of the world and for the purpose of this mission)
Mount Sidley – Antarctica
Malasha has ticked the first four off her list, with Mount Giluwe in Papua New Guinea next up later this month.
Advertisement
However, rain season and the risk of mudslides mean the mountain is safest to climb only during a brief window of just a few weeks in August and September.
The accountant, who lives in south Dublin, explained that it was a 'deeply personal journey' for her as she is asthmatic, which she felt had previously inhibited her from similar experiences.
She adapted her training to include cardio and core work to strengthen her lungs for the 5,000 kilometre high summits.
Her mountaineering has also been inspired by a desire to have 'other women with health conditions to believe in their strength' and to push themselves.
Milasha at the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa
The last summit on Milesha's list is Mount Sidley in Antarctica, which is currently going to cost her more than €60,000 to manage. Before that trip she will aim to find a sponsor to help her raise the funds required.
Milesha, who hails from the southern Indian state of Kerel, said she has packed the Irish tricolour for the latest mountain in Papua New Guinea to mark a special occasion.
'I've lived in Ireland 11 years and I'm taking the Irish flag this time because I'm now an Irish citizen, since February. It's been a journey and I'm looking forward to raising it.'
Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article.
Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.
Learn More
Support The Journal
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Independent
2 hours ago
- Irish Independent
My favourite room: ‘Growing up gay in rural Ireland and being bullied is what I figured is at the root of my alcoholism' – inside Noel Cunningham's renovated childhood home
Broadcaster, hotelier and author Noel Cunningham spent many years living in luxury in plush hotels here and abroad, however he's delighted to make his base the house in Donegal where he grew up with his five siblings, now furnished in a riot of joyful colour Today at 00:30 Half doors used to be a common sight in the Irish countryside, and while they were designed for ventilation, an open half door also meant the occupants were at home and welcoming. So, it seems fitting that Noel Cunningham put a half door on his family cottage when he took it over nine years ago. Noel, the second most famous hotelier in Ireland after Francis Brennan, has spent his life welcoming people in his professional capacity as a hotel manager. He's worked in hospitality since his teens and he's spent many years with Jurys Doyle Hotels (now The Doyle Collection), Trust House Forte in England, then with Harvey's Point in Donegal. He retired some years ago but because he has such an engaging personality, colourful way of dressing and eloquent turn of phrase, he's been in demand ever since for TV, radio and charitable activities.
Irish Daily Mirror
10 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
What to expect if you're going to Oasis Sunday after one of the best gigs ever
I was lucky enough to get tickets for the first sold-out Oasis spectacular at Croke Park and it was one of the best concerts I've ever been to. The show marked Noel and Liam Gallagher's first live performance together in more than 16 years, following their bitter break up in 2009. I thought the Croke Park gig was 'everything Irish fans could have wished for, with a little bit extra sprinkled on top'. You can read my review here. If you are heading along today, here are some pointers that should help you get even more out of what could well be one of the best nights out of your life. Get to the city centre early and soak up the atmosphere The excitement on the streets of Dublin on Saturday was palpable. The good weather and the feverish anticipation about the concert seemed to have everyone in good form. Oasis Fans Mike and Julie from Manchester in Temple Bar ahead of the Croke Park show on Sunday (Image: SAM BOAL/Collins Photos) Bars in the city centre were packed out from early afternoon. Houses were flying Oasis flags, Dublin City council signs were in the band's branding and shops and hotels all seemed to be blasting out Oasis' greatest hits. The sense of '90s nostalgia was in the air and I don't recall ever going to a Croke Park concert with such pre-show excitement. And the Oasis merch shop must have done a brisk trade as everyone seemed to be kitted out in the band's t-shirts. Bucket hats and Adidas sportswear were the uniform of choice for the supporters who gathered in the streets and bars close to the stadium, which did not open until 5pm. Use public transport Public transport was the easiest way to get close to the stadium. Dublin Bus, DART and commuter train services are running additional capacity, with Drumcondra and Connolly stations a short walk from the venue. Road closures and parking restrictions will be in place around Croke Park. Oasis fans at Croke Park Check out the list of items banned from the stadium Don't bring any large bags or backpacks to the stadium as they are not allowed and there is nowhere to store personal items until after the show. Reflective jackets, Chinese lanterns and iPads are on the list of what can't be brought into Croke Park, which is long and as strict as you expect for large public gatherings in 2025. Air horns, flagpoles, selfie sticks, prams, cameras with detachable lenses and fold-up chairs are all stopped. Check out the full list of banned items here. Expect lengthy queues at Croke Park bars and food stalls It's best to enjoy your few beers and have some food before you get to the stadium as the queues inside Croke Park were lengthy until Oasis took to the stage. In the Hogan Stand yesterday, it took more than 30 minutes to get a drink from the bar. However, after Oasis went onstage, the queues disappeared so if you do get thirsty you will have options. The stage times advertised are real Having been to hundreds of shows as a reviewer over the past 22 years, I generally never expect bands to come on stage when the published set times say they will. Liam and Noel arrived on stage bang on time (Image: Philip Fitzpatrick) However, this Oasis tour is an exception. Cast were onstage at exactly 6pm on Saturday and Richard Ashcroft walked out at 7pm. Liam and Noel entered the stage at bang on 8.15 as advertised. So get in early and get your seats (or your space on the pitch if you are standing). Dress sensibly You can expect a few pints of beer and other drinks to be spilled, so it's probably wise not to wear your fanciest clothes. You'll need comfortable walking shoes for after the concert as the traffic management plan means you'll be on your feet for a while before you reach an area where you can hail a taxi or get a bus. Wear earplugs Noise levels were regularly between 100dB and 110dB throughout the first concert. It wasn't always the music, as the screams from the excited crowd were also deafening. It is no harm to wear protective earplugs and you will still enjoy the music. Headphone brand Sennheiser's parent company Phonak manufactures Serenity Choice Music earplugs specifically for gigs and they will reduce noise levels by between 10dB and 17dB. Enjoy the set At the first Croke Park concert, Liam, Noel, Bonehead, Gem, Andy and Joey played the same two-hour setlist that they have performed on every night of the Oasis Live 25 tour so far. They opened with Hello before playing Acquiesce, Morning Glory, Some Might Say, Bring It On Down, Cigarettes & Alcohol, Fade Away, Supersonic and Roll With It. Liam then left the stage and Noel took over vocal duties for Talk Tonight, Half the World Away and Little By Little before Liam rejoined the action for D'You Know What I Mean, Stand By Me, Cast No Shadow, Slide Away, Whatever, Live Forever and Rock and Roll Star. The encore started with Noel singing The Masterplan and Don't Look Back in Anger before Liam took over on the microphone for Wonderwall and Champagne Supernova. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here. The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week
Irish Daily Mirror
11 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Irish tourists warning as 45C temps in Spain hotspots prompt RED weather alerts
Irish tourists have been warned about extreme temperatures in some of Spain's tourist hotspots after a series of red weather alerts were issued on Sunday. The official Spanish meteorological service, AEMET, has issued red alerts to 19 areas across the country, including areas such as Andalusia, Catalonia and Valencia, with popular locations such as Alicante, Cadiz, Girona and Seville also affected. Maximum temperatures in areas affected by the red alerts are expected to reach between 40 and 45C on Sunday between the hours of 11am and 9pm. Elsewhere in Spain, areas such as Madrid and the Balearic Islands have been issued with orange alerts, with temperatures in parts of Ibiza and Majorca set to reach 42C. The affected 19 areas issued with red alerts have been classified as having 'extreme risk', which applies to 'unusual weather events of exceptional intensity and with a very high level of risk to the population'. Red weather alerts have been issued to multiple areas in Spain (Image: AEMET) In these circumstances, people in affected areas are urged to 'take preventative measures and act', to follow the instructions of local authorities, avoid unnecessary travel and constantly check weather updates. The alerts come after a rare 'black flag' warning was issued to tourists visiting La Gracios in the Canary Islands last week. La Graciosa, a volcanic island, sits approximately 1.2 miles north of Lanzarote across the Strait of El Río. Similar to other Canary Islands, it was created by the Canary hotspot - a plume of exceptionally hot magma within the Earth's mantle. The Spanish territory has been characterised as one of Europe's final destinations without tarmacked roads and amongst the least discovered and most tranquil of the Canary Islands. The island forms a volcanic massif sculpted by molten ash and lava, contributing to its striking landscape. Playa de Caleta de Sebo, the "town beach" of La Graciosa's capital, alongside Playa de la Francesa, situated slightly further down the coastline, featured on the yearly Black Flag catalogue released by environmental organisation Ecologistas en Acción (Ecologists in Action). Ecologistas en Acción's yearly assessment, which has been exposing environmental mismanagement across Spain since 2005, catalogues the beaches awarded a black flag this year. According to Ecologists in Action, the beach at Caleta de Sebo remains in a "poor state of conservation", with debris from vessels, beachgoers and eateries adding to contamination. At Playa de la Francesa, locals highlight concerns about catamaran excursions descending upon the location "holding parties, meals, games, and contests with loud music and leaving waste behind on the sand and in the water". Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here. The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week
