The family of Joshua Cheruiyot Kirui, the Kenyan climber who tragically died on Mt. Everest last week, has decided to leave his body on the mountain. Kirui, 40, was attempting the formidable climb without supplementary oxygen when he fell into a crevasse 48 meters below the 8,849-meter peak. His Nepali guide, Nawang Sherpa, remains missing.
Kirui was aiming to become the first African to reach Everest’s summit without extra oxygen, an endeavor known for its extreme difficulty and danger, even for the most seasoned climbers. The decision to leave his body on Everest came after careful consideration of the risks involved in a retrieval operation at such a high altitude.
In a heartfelt statement, Kirui’s family expressed that attempting to recover his body would be too perilous for rescue teams. “Joshua loved the mountains, and they loved him. We find comfort knowing he is resting in his happy place,” they said. The family has planned memorial services in Nairobi and his home village of Chepterit in the Rift Valley.
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The financial burden also influenced their decision. The cost of retrieving a body from Everest is approximately $190,000, a sum that many families find prohibitive. This cost, coupled with the high risk to rescuers, means that nearly 200 of the 330 climbers who have died on Everest remain there.
Kirui, a banker, had garnered significant attention in Kenya, with many following his journey through updates posted online by fellow climbers. In an interview with the BBC before his ascent, Kirui expressed his preparation and confidence, having emergency oxygen and evacuation plans in place. Despite these precautions, the challenges proved fatal.
This climbing season has seen four deaths on Everest, which is typically climbed in April and May when conditions are most favorable. The season is set to end in a few days.
Kirui’s aspiration and dedication to climbing have left a lasting impact. His family, friends, and the Kenyan climbing community mourn his loss while celebrating his adventurous spirit and the legacy he leaves behind.
