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Kirui, who had embarked on the formidable challenge of summiting Everest without supplementary oxygen, disappeared alongside his Nepali guide Nawang Sherpa on Wednesday.
A tragic development has emerged in the world of mountaineering as Kenyan climber Joshua Cheruiyot Kirui, aged 40, has been found dead near the summit of Mount Everest.
Kirui, who had embarked on the formidable challenge of summiting Everest without supplementary oxygen, disappeared alongside his Nepali guide Nawang Sherpa, 44, on Wednesday.
The search team, deployed to locate the pair, discovered Kirui's body just a few meters below Everest's summit point. However, Nawang Sherpa remains missing, a local tourism official confirmed to the AFP news agency.
Climbing Everest, the highest peak on the planet, is an endeavor fraught with extreme difficulty and risk, even for the most seasoned climbers.
The Himalayan Times, a Nepalese newspaper, reported that Mr. Sherpa had informed the base camp of Kirui's "abnormal behaviour" prior to their disappearance. According to Mr. Sherpa, Kirui "refused to return and even consume bottled oxygen." Shortly after this message, contact with the duo was lost, as base camp officials informed the paper.
Writing to the BBC last week, Kirui had detailed his extensive physical preparations for the climb, with plans to descend on Wednesday. He recounted his rigorous training regimen, which included climbing Manaslu, the eighth highest mountain in the world, in September 2023.
"The major/specific preparation was climbing Manaslu," he wrote.
"However, I've been climbing locally in Kenya, many stair climbs, gym workouts and running as specific preparation. Also for 10 years I've climbed, ran marathons and ultra marathons which adds to the general preparations."
In his latest Instagram post, Kirui had expressed confidence in his ability to conquer Everest without additional oxygen.
Nonetheless, he had assured the BBC that he was equipped with emergency oxygen support from Mr. Sherpa and had an emergency evacuation cover in place in case he encountered difficulties.
Joshua Cheruiyot Kirui was a banker with one of Kenya's largest lenders. His untimely death has sent shockwaves through both the mountaineering community and his home country.
The news of Kirui's death was shared on social media by Everest Today, with a heartfelt message that read:
"With profound sadness, we share the news of Kenyan mountaineer Cheruiyot Kirui's passing on Mt Everest. His body was found a few meters below the summit point of Mt Everest.
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. 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's legacy will endure as a testament to his extraordinary spirit and unwavering dedication to the pursuit of his passion for mountaineering. His story serves as a poignant reminder of the inherent risks and relentless determination required to challenge the world's highest peaks.
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