A group of hikers on Sunday July 2, 2024, scaled Manga hills in honor of celebrated Kenyan climber the late Joshua Cheruiyot Kirui who died om May 23 on Mt. Everest.
The hiking enthusiasts from western Kenya ‘Hike Masters’ are known for their love of hiking which according to them helps them navigate through mental and physical fitness.
Evans Obare, Hike masters team leader, said that they were on Manga Hills on a commemorative hike in honor of their departed friend and colleague Cheruiyot Kirui.
“We are here for a commemorative hike in honor of our friend and colleague Cheruiyot who passed away on Mt. Everest,” Obare stated.
Also, the hikers wore matching shirts with the name Cheruiyot and Mt. Everest labelled on them which gave in-depth meaning to the cause.
Also Read: Cheruiyot Kirui: Inspiring Career of Banker who Died Climbing Mt Everest
Mourning Cheruiyot Kirui
Moreover, the team expressed motivation as they navigated upwards through the slopes of Manga Hills.
Christine Bosibori, also a member of the hiking group said they decided to honor Cheruiyot because he was a pacesetter to them.
“We have decided to mourn our colleague Cheruiyot because we are hiking enthusiasts like he was. May his soul rest in peace,” said Christine.
Kirui died after he went missing while scaling the heights of Mt Everest, the tallest in the world standing at 8,849 meters above sea level.
What’s more, the celebrated climber did on mission to reach the summit without supplementary oxygen.
“We are all saddened by what happened to our brother Cheruiyot Kirui on Mt. Everest. Whereas it is not possible to determine the exact sequence of events, we know that Cheruiyot and his sherpa took a fall,” read part of the statement. On May 29, the family said Cheruiyot’s body would remain on Mt Everest.
“Cheruiyot fell into a crevasse 48 meters from the summit (8,848 meters) and retrieving his body from that high up would be risky for the rescue team, the family does not wish to endanger any life,” the media statement read.
Also Read: Cheruiyot Kirui Family Explains Why His Body Will Remain on Mt. Everest
Hiking Enthusiasts ‘Hike Masters’
Hike Masters was founded during the Covid-19 lockdowns of 2020, and it contains 163 members as provided by their team leader Evans Obare.
Obare stated that the group attracts new members with similar passion for outdoor activities and love for nature with very hike they partake in.
In addition, Janet Amani, a member of the Hike Masters group highlighted that they are people who indulge in outdoor activities to keep fit and stay mentally alert.
“We usually advertise every time we have an event and that’s how people join. We get to have fun, travel and learn more about the beauty of creation,” she stated.
Hike Masters have opened hiking trails in the hitherto unexplored places like Gembe Hills in Mbita, Mfangano Island, Homa Hills, Ndere Island, Kodera Forest, Manga Hills, Kakamega Forest Trail and Torok Waterfalls.
The groups’ first hike was at the famous Torok waterfalls in Elgeyo Marakwet County.
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