The body of Kenyan climber Cheruiyot Kirui, who tragically died while attempting to summit Mt. Everest without supplemental oxygen, will remain on the world’s highest mountain, his family has decided. This announcement puts an end to speculation about whether his remains would be brought back home.
In a statement to the media on Wednesday, his family said they made this difficult decision after extensive consultations and careful consideration of all factors. According to a statement shared by his close friend James Muhia, the family did not want to risk anyone’s life by attempting to retrieve his body from the crevasse he fell into, which was about 48 meters from the summit (8,848 meters).
“Cheruiyot fell into a crevasse 48 meters from the summit, 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 statement reads.
“Cheruiyot had a profound love for the mountains, and they loved him in return. We find solace in knowing he rests in his happy place,” the family added.
They also expressed condolences to the family of Nawang Sherpa, Cheruiyot’s Sherpa on this expedition, who has yet to be located.
The family intends to hold a memorial service in Nairobi and Chepterit village, with details to be announced soon.
According to organizers, Kirui’s body was discovered a few meters below the summit of Mount Everest. “He was on a daring mission to reach the summit without supplemental oxygen and was accompanied by a Nepali climber Nawang Sherpa, whose fate is still unknown,” reported the Nepali mountaineering news website Everest Today on Thursday.
Kirui, a banker working with the Kenya Commercial Bank, went missing along with his guide Sherpa during the expedition.
