Kenyan climber, Cheruiyot Kirui, who attempted to scale Mt Everest without using supplemental oxygen, has been reported dead.
In an update on Thursday, May 23, Everest Today said the climber died after he went missing on Tuesday, May 21. In a subsequent statement, Everest Today said Kirui’s body was found a few meters below the summit point of the Mountain.
“He was on a daring mission to reach the summit without supplementary oxygen and was accompanied by a Nepali climber Nawang Sherpa, whose fate is still unknown (was missing with him).” Everest Today said in a statement.
“His indomitable will and passion for mountaineering will forever be an inspiration. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends during this time of sorrow. Rest in peace, Cheruiyot.”
Cheruiyot Kirui Behaviour Before Going Missing
Organizers of the climbing expedition said Kirui went out of contact from above 8,000m since Tuesday morning.
According to Mingma Sherpa, Chairman at Seven Summit Treks (SST), Cheruiyot Kirui and his Sherpa guide remained out of contact from the Bishop Rock, a few metres below the summit point.
“Kirui, a banker working with KCB, and his Sherpa guide Nawang were last contacted at the Bishop Rock,” Sherpa said.
Kirui showed an abnormal behaviour with his guide, Sherpa quoted Nawang as saying. “Then, the duo went out of contact,” he added.
SST has mobilized two Sherpa rescuers to search for them. “They have reached above balcony area,” he added.
Romanian Climber Dead
Besides, the organizers of the expedition said a Romanian climber died at Camp III while two others went missing from above 8,000m on Mt Everest.
Mohan Lamsal, Managing Director at Makalu Adventure said Gabriel Tabara of Romania was found dead by his Sherpa guide inside his tent at Camp III on May 20.
Everest Chronicle reported that Tavara, 48, was also attempting to climb Lhotse without using supplementary oxygen died at an altitude of 7470 meters.
“Gabriel and his Sherpa guide had a normal day and went to their tents as climbers usually do. But Gabriel did not wake up,” said Mohan Lamsal.
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Lamsal said Gabriel had been on the mountain for over two months, as he planned to climb Lhotse without supplemental oxygen.
He had completed acclimatization and several rotation rounds in preparation for the summit push.
Lamsal hinted that Gabriel could have died as a result of lack oxygen but maintained that the exact cause will be established after the autopsy.
“It is definitely not due to a lack of oxygen, as people do not use oxygen in Camp III. We can be sure of the cause of death only after an autopsy,” he said.
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Two Climbers Missing
On May 20, two climbers fell down and went missing near Hillary step on Mt Everest.
According to reports, Daniel Paul Peterson from United Kingdom (UK) and Pas Tenji Sherpa from Makalu fell down when a section of route in the Hillary section below the summit point collapsed.
Search for the two missing climbers is underway.
On May 13, Mongolian climbers, Usukhjargal Tsedendamba and Prevsuren Lkhagvajav, died above 8,500m while descending from the summit point.
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