Cheruiyot Kirui Biography
Kirui was discovered deceased on Thursday morning in the ‘death zone’, which is over 8,000 meters.
He would have been the first African to reach the peak of the 8,849-meter mountain.
Kenyan climber’s body will be left on Everest – family
The body of a Kenyan climber who died on Mt Everest last week will remain on the summit, according to his family.
Joshua Cheruiyot Kirui died while on a daring quest to reach the peak of Mount Everest without using supplemental oxygen.
The 40-year-old mountaineer and his Nepali guide plunged into a crevasse barely 48 meters (160 feet) below the 8,849-metre peak.
Kirui’s family stated that collecting his body from such a high altitude would be too perilous for the rescue crew.
Even expert climbers consider climbing Everest, the world’s highest peak, to be very difficult and perilous.
Kirui was attempting to become the first African to ascend Mount Everest without using supplementary oxygen, accompanied by Nepali climber Nawang Sherpa.
Mr. Sherpa is still missing
Kirui’s family said in a statement on Wednesday that they had made the “difficult” choice to place his remains on the mountain following extensive conversations and “careful consideration of all the circumstances.”
“Retrieving his body from that high up would be risky for the rescue team, the family does not wish to endanger any life,” added the statement.
“Cheruiyot had a great love for the mountains, and they loved him back. We take comfort in knowing that he is resting in his wonderful place,” it said.
However, the family has announced that memorial ceremonies will be held in Nairobi and his hometown of Chepterit in the Rift Valley region.
There have also been concerns regarding the cost of collecting his remains and burying them at home.
The expense of retrieving the body would have been almost $190,000 (£150,000), and the mission would have required roughly eight persons to scale the mountain.
Most families that lose a loved one on Everest want to leave them there.
It is estimated that the bodies of approximately 200 of the 330 climbers who died on the world’s highest mountain still lie there.
The climb by Kirui, a banker, was closely watched in Kenya, with fellow climbers posting frequent updates online.
Kirui told the BBC before his tragic climb that he had done significant physical preparations for the feat.
In his most recent Instagram post, he expressed confidence that he could climb Everest without using oxygen.
He did, however, tell the BBC that he had emergency oxygen support from Mr Sherpa as well as an emergency evacuation plan in case he had any issues.
Most people climb Everest between April and May when the weather is most favorable.
Four climbers have reportedly been killed this season, which will end in a few days.
Cheruiyot Kirui: A story of bravery and tenacity
Since the early 1920s, over 330 climbers have died on the mountain.
It is estimated that 200 dead remain on the mountain today due to the inefficiency, impracticality, and danger of moving frozen bodies, which can weigh more than 136 kilograms.
Cheruiyot Kirui’s terrible death while attempting to ascend Mount Everest serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the great challenges and hazards that mountaineers endure.
The fact that he achieved it without supplemental oxygen demonstrates his determination, courage, and unwavering pursuit of a lofty goal despite the dangers.
Kirui, a banker by profession, set out to ascend the world’s highest mountain with Nepali climber Nawang Sherpa.
Sherpa’s body, however, has yet to be found.
The news of Kirui’s death spread on Wednesday evening, only days after he embarked on the risky trip.
According to reports, the two lost communication on Wednesday morning, prompting the deployment of a search team.
Everest Today confirmed that Kirui climbed a little beyond 8,000 meters to the top.
“With profound regret, we announce the death of Kenyan mountaineer Cheruiyot Kirui. “His body was discovered a few meters below the summit of Mt. Everest,” it said.
Kirui would have become the first African to reach the peak of the mountain, which stands 8,849 meters above sea level.
His interest in mountains appears to have increased over time, fueled by accounts of famous climbers and their accomplishments.
The height above 8,000 meters is known as the “death zone” because there is so little oxygen that the body’s cells begin to die and judgment becomes impaired.
Everest’s summit has roughly one-third the air pressure that prevails at sea level, and the chances of success are significantly lower than when climbing without supplementary oxygen.
It is located at approximately 28 degrees latitude and spans the Nepal-China border.
Kirui was well aware of the dangers, but he was confident in his ability to survive.
He examined every aspect of Everest, from the treacherous icefall to the infamous “death zone.”
He was aware of the enormous hazards, yet his determination remained unflinching.
“I want to make it out alive, so I’ll do my research, look at the options available to me, and make sure I’m physically and gear-wise prepared,” he stated in a previous interview with the Star.
“When climbing up there and you are stuck, don’t expect any help because when up there someone will be risking his or her life trying to help you,” he said.
He needed Sh8.8 million for his mission.
Kirui came to his social media page five days ago to provide an update ahead of the voyage, exhibiting his gear and chest medicine that he required as part of the basics.
“A no-oxygen attempt comes with its special preparations and risks, it’s no accident that only 3% of successful Everest summits are without oxygen and that 3% is a success rate of about 30%,” the author said.
“This endeavor appears to be a shot in the dark, but we know where the darkness is and our shot is targeted at it. So, while I send my body and spirit up there, I’ll sit with the rest of you and await the results. Naturally, the uncertainties heighten the excitement of this effort,” the post continues.
When asked about his decision to go on the mission, Kirui stated that he did not consult anyone because doing so could impede his advancement owing to other people’s opinions.
Kirui, an athlete, claimed he became interested in climbing high mountains in 2021.
Years of intense training in Kenya’s highlands, followed by treks to other challenging summits, had prepared Kirui for his ultimate task.
He has previously climbed Mount Kenya and Mt. Kilimanjaro.
“I normally conduct extensive research before making that decision. “I understand the risks, but I am not reckless,” he explains.
“Involving other people can be unproductive since they lack your experience and ambition, making their perspectives less objective.”
About Mt Everest and submitters
By 2013, 4,042 persons had reported 6,871 peaks.
By the end of 2016, there were 7,646 summits attended by 4,469 persons.
In 2018, around 800 individuals summited Mount Everest, beating the record for the most in a single year since 2013, when 667 people summited.
Cheruiyot Kirui Death
Kirui’s death is not uncommon in the mountains.
Earlier this month, two Mongolians were reported missing after reaching the peak, only to be discovered dead.
Last year, at least 600 climbers were estimated to have reached the mountain’s summit, with 18 fatalities, making it the deadliest.
Since the early 1920s, over 330 climbers have died on the mountain.
It is estimated that around 200 bodies remain atop the mountain to this day.
Mt Everest is regarded as one of the world’s highest mountains due to the harsh circumstances, avalanches, rockfalls, ice fall risks, and altitude, which make retrieving bodies difficult.
Moving frozen bodies, which can weigh more than 300 pounds (136 kilograms), is inefficient, impractical, and dangerous.
Cheruiyot Kirui Instagram
Who is Cheruiyot Kirui?
Joshua Cheruiyot Kirui died while on a daring quest to reach the peak of Mount Everest without using supplemental oxygen. The 40-year-old mountaineer fell into a crevasse just around 48 meters (160 feet) below the 8,849-metre peak, along with his Nepali guide.
