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A Kenyan mountaineer, Joshua Cheruiyot Kirui, has been found dead near the summit of Mount Everest, marking a tragic end to his ambitious quest to become the first African to climb the world's highest peak without supplemental oxygen. The 40-year-old and his 44-year-old Nepali guide, Nawang Sherpa, disappeared on Wednesday during the ascent. While Mr. Kirui’s body has been located, the search for Mr. Sherpa continues, according to local tourism officials.
Climbing Mount Everest is an exceptionally perilous endeavor, even for seasoned climbers. The extreme conditions and high altitudes present significant challenges and risks. The Himalayan Times reported that Mr. Sherpa had informed base camp that Mr.Kirui exhibited "abnormal behavior" and refused both to descend and to use bottled oxygen. Shortly after this message, contact with the duo was lost.
Kipkemoi Limo, a close friend of Mr. Kirui, confirmed to the BBC that the mountaineer died from a fall. The family and friends of Mr. Kirui are now seeking to determine whether he had expressed a wish to be buried on Everest or if his body should be repatriated to Kenya, a process estimated to cost $190,000 (£150,000).
Mr. Kirui had meticulously prepared for the Everest challenge. Last week, he detailed to the BBC his extensive training regimen, which included climbing Manaslu, the world's eighth-highest mountain, in September 2023. His preparations also involved local climbs in Kenya, stair climbs, gym workouts, and running. Over the past decade, he had participated in numerous marathons and ultra-marathons, bolstering his physical readiness for Everest.
In his final Instagram post, Mr. Kirui expressed confidence in his ability to summit Everest without additional oxygen. Despite this confidence, he had emergency oxygen support and an evacuation plan in place.
Joshua Cheruiyot Kirui was a banker with one of Kenya’s largest lenders, and his death has deeply affected the Kenyan mountain climbing community. Fellow Kenyan mountaineer James Muhia, who had been providing regular updates on Mr. Kirui’s progress, expressed his sorrow on X (formerly Twitter), stating, "Our brother now rests on the mountain. It's been a long night". Muhia had previously supported Mr. Kirui's attempt, vouching for his preparedness and resilience.
Mr. Kirui's tragic death is the fourth recorded on Everest this week, following the deaths of a Romanian climber, a British climber, and his Nepalese guide on Tuesday. The mountaineering world mourns the loss of Joshua Cheruiyot Kirui, a determined and passionate climber who aimed to achieve a historic feat. His legacy will inspire future generations of climbers and adventurers.
