News

Kenyan mountaineer dies during attempt to become first African to climb Mount Everest without extra oxygen

Joshua Cheruiyot Kirui, a Kenyan mountaineer who was attempting to become the first African to climb Mount Everest without extra oxygen, was found dead near the mountain’s summit after he initially went missing.

Per BBC, Kirui, 40, was with his 44-year-old Nepali guide Nawang Sherpa when they both went missing on Wednesday. A local tourism official told AFP that a search team was yet to locate the guide.

The Himalayan Times, a Nepalese newspaper, reported that Sherpa initially communicated with the base camp and said Kirui, who was a banker, had exhibited “abnormal behavior” and “refused to return and even consume bottled oxygen.”

Base camp officials informed the news outlet that communication between them and the pair was lost not too long after. Kipkemoi Limo, a close hiking friend of Kirui, told BBC that the 40-year-old fell to his death.

Limo also said Kirui’s family and friends are yet to determine the place of burial the deceased mountaineer had agreed on – whether Everest or back home in Kenya. Be it the latter, Limo said $190,000 would be needed to repatriate his body to the East African nation.

Prior to embarking on the challenge, Kirui in an email to BBC said he had prepared adequately for the task ahead. “The major/specific preparation was climbing Manaslu, the eighth highest mountain in the world in 2023 September,” the deceased mountaineer 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.”

Kirui in an Instagram post also shared his optimism about reaching the summit of Mount Everest without needing extra oxygen. He informed the news outlet that contingency measures had, however, been put in place in case he experienced any setbacks. He said Sherpa would give him emergency oxygen support if need be, adding that arrangements had also been made for an emergency evacuation if there were any challenges.

Mount Everest is the world’s highest peak, and climbing it is regarded as an arduous task irrespective of any climber’s experience. Kirui is among four individuals whose bodies have been found on Everest this week, per the Himalayan Times. The three other deceased individuals include a Romanian climber, a British climber, and his Nepalese guide.

Francis Akhalbey

A reader once told me I lack the emotional maturity to cope with mythological breasts. I support Manchester United, by the way. And L.A. Lakers.

Recent Posts

Nearly 50 years after being hired as school’s only Black teacher, JD Sweet retires

After over 47 years in the classroom, JD Sweet has retired. Tuesday was Sweet’s last…

6 hours ago

Coco Gauff speaks about mystery boyfriend and when fans can finally see them together

Coco Gauff has revealed she is no longer single and revealed plans with her mysterious…

6 hours ago

How this NBA legend turned a $15K rookie contract into a $300M empire after his career was cut short

Meet Dave Bing; he was a scoring machine in the NBA during his time with…

7 hours ago

‘You ain’t got to work no more’: Stephen A. Smith retired his mom after signing ESPN contract

People widely regard ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith as the face of the channel because…

10 hours ago

Florida rapper Julio Foolio leaves his fans his last words on social media a day before passing away

Rapper Julio Foolio, whose real name is Charles Jones, posted a grateful message on social…

11 hours ago

Anthony Joshua on not wanting his son to box: ‘I don’t think it’s a wise decision’

Anthony Joshua has made a surprising revelation about his future aspirations for his eight-year-old boy,…

11 hours ago

Kenya parliament burns as demonstrators enter: ‘We’re coming for every politician’

Part of Kenya’s parliament building was on fire Tuesday after protesters broke through police to…

13 hours ago

Teen honored for perfect attendance from kindergarten to senior year

Earlier this month, at a school board meeting, Rikki Blaylock received recognition for her 13…

13 hours ago

Mother whose 10-year-old daughter fatally shot woman sentenced

A 33-year-old mother has been sentenced to 5 years in prison after her then-10-year-old daughter…

14 hours ago

Georgia judge charged after alleged altercation with police officer outside nightclub

Authorities in Georgia have brought charges against a judge who allegedly got into a physical…

16 hours ago

Boxing champion Roy Jones Jr. says his son took his own life

Boxing champion Roy Jones Jr. took to social media on Monday to announce that his…

16 hours ago

Couple who got engaged at Kem’s concert got a surprise performance from the R&B star at their wedding

Kim Lamont Owens, also known as Kem, surprised a couple by honoring his pledge to…

1 day ago

After almost 17 years behind bars, this Georgia man is now a school principal

Chris Willars was incarcerated for 16 years and 11 months. He now serves as principal…

1 day ago

How this doctor invented the Band-Aid for nosebleed emergencies: ‘We didn’t have anything to give patients’

Dr. Elizabeth Clayborne founded a medical device called NasaClip after her residency in Washington, D.C.…

1 day ago

Africa’s richest man Dangote says International Oil Companies are frustrating his refinery

The Vice President of Oil and Gas at Dangote Industries Limited, Devakumar Edwin, has accused…

1 day ago