The family of Kenyan mountaineer, Cheruiyot Kirui, who died while attempting to summit Mt. Everest without bottled oxygen has decided to let his body remain on the mountain.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, May 29, the family said the decision was made after extensive consultations and careful consideration of all circumstances.
“Following the death of Joshua Cheruiyot Kirui on Mt. Everest on May 22, 2024, the family has made the difficult decision to let his body 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 family said in a statement.
The family also thanked the outdoor community for the support they have offered and the Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) where Cheruiyot worked.
“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. We specifically acknowledge the massive support we have received from the KCB Group family where Joshua worked. We truly know that our son was loved,” they added.
The family further extended their gratitude to Seven Summit Treks, a mountaineering company based in Kathmandu, Nepal, for their support, information and guidance during this time.
“We also pray for the family of Nawang Sherpa, Cheruiyot’s Sherpa during this expedition, who is yet to be found. May they find peace,” the statement further read.
Cheruiyot was not able to summit Mt. Everest as he was found dead in a zone dubbed, ‘Everest’s Death Zone’, above 8,000 metres.
Everest Today, which covers mountaineering over the Himalayas, announced his death in a statement on X, formerly Twitter, saying, “with profound sadness who share the news of Kenyan mountaineer Cheruiyot Kibet’s passing on Mt. Everest. His body was found a few meters below the summit point of Mt. Everest.”
The process of recovering a body from Mount Everest is risky and costly.
A group of expert rescuers are needed to dig up the frozen bodies and haul the extra weight down the perilous mountain.
Because of the severe risks and expensive costs associated with such an operation, the total cost usually exceeds $100,000.
As a result, only a small number of bodies have ever been successfully removed from peaks higher than 7000 and 8000 metres, including Everest.
Rescue teams usually employ gear, like a sledge or a piece of fabric, to remove a body.
They secure ropes to this improvised apparatus before carefully lowering their bodies to the next camp.
Because there isn’t enough wood or stove fuel to allow for cremation on the mountain, bodies must be lowered to a level where helicopters can get them, which presents another challenge in the retrieval procedure.
There exist four camps on Everest, each with unique obstacles, situated between the base camp and the summit.
Because of the air’s thinness, helicopters can only land over 21,000 feet, which is Camp 2.
