May 24th 2024.
Tragedy struck the mountaineering community on Wednesday when an experienced Kenyan mountaineer lost his life during an ascent of Mount Everest. His Nepali sherpa companion is still missing, and rescue efforts are ongoing to locate him. The two had attempted to summit the world's highest mountain without the use of supplemental oxygen, according to the Nepali government and the mountaineer's employer.
The body of 40-year-old Joshua Cheruiyot Kirui was discovered just 20 meters from the summit of Mount Everest, as confirmed by an official from Nepal's Department of Tourism in an interview with CNN. The search for his missing sherpa guide, 44-year-old Nawang Sherpa, is still ongoing, according to the official who spoke to CNN from the base of the mountain.
The two climbers had gone out of radio contact early on Wednesday, prompting a rescue team to launch a search for them along the mountain's camps and trails. Kirui's body was found on Wednesday night at an altitude of 8,830 meters. His employer, KCB Bank, paid tribute to him as a passionate athlete and mountaineer in a post on social media, revealing that he was only the second Kenyan to ever successfully summit Mount Everest.
On his personal Instagram account, Kirui had shared his brave attempt to reach the peak without supplemental oxygen in his last post. He acknowledged the unique challenges and risks that come with such an endeavor, but expressed confidence in his physical and mental preparedness. He also listed the precautions he was taking, including carrying medication for potential illnesses or frostbite and having his guide carry an emergency bottle of oxygen.
Sadly, Kirui's journey came to an end on the treacherous slopes of Mount Everest. The comments on his Instagram post quickly shifted from congratulatory and optimistic messages to expressions of condolences as news of his passing spread. Kirui's colleagues described him as an outdoor enthusiast who regularly participated in ultramarathons and conquered some of the world's most daunting mountains.
In a tribute to their fallen colleague, KCB Group CEO Paul Russo highlighted Kirui's unbreakable will and passion for mountaineering, which drove him to conquer some of the most breathtaking landscapes on Earth. His recent accomplishments on Mount Manaslu and Mount Everest were a testament to his adventurous spirit and determination.
Mount Everest, located on the border between Nepal and Tibet, stands at a towering 8,850 meters above sea level. It is considered the tallest mountain in the world and has claimed the lives of over 300 people. The spring season is the most popular time for mountaineers to attempt a summit, although some may also brave the challenging conditions in the autumn season. Most climbers aim to reach the peak in May, when the temperatures are slightly warmer and the strong winds known as the jet stream have shifted away from the mountain.
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