Kenyan dies near the peak of Mt Everest

NAIROBI, Kenya - A Kenyan mountaineer has died near the peak of Mount Everest in Nepal, Mt Everest Today reports, ending a dream of reaching the top without supplemental oxygen, which is critical in such adventures.

Cheruiyot Kirui, a seasoned mountaineer who also worked as a banker in a leading moneylender within the country, was declared dead on Wednesday evening, hours after frantic rescuer efforts were dispatched from the base.

While confirming the death, Everest Today said "his body was found a few meters below the summit point of Mt Everest." The mountain is almost 9 kilometers above sea level and is the highest point on earth.

"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 (was missing with him)," read the statement.

"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."

According to Mingma Sherpa, Chairman of Seven Summit Treks, Cheruiyot Kirui who attempted to scale Everest without using supplemental oxygen remained out of contact from Bishop Rock, a few meters below the summit point.

"Kirui, a banker working with KCB, and his Sherpa guide Nawang were last contacted at Bishop Rock," Sherpa said. Kirui, who wanted to climb Everest without supplemental oxygen, showed abnormal behavior with his guide, Sherpa quoted Nawang as saying.

"Then, the duo went out of contact," he added. SST has mobilized two Sherpa rescuers to search for them. "They have reached above balcony area," he added. Earlier, two climbers fell and went missing near Hillary step on Mt Everest yesterday morning

According to a source at the base camp, Daniel Paul Peterson from the UK and Pas Tenji Sherpa from Makalu fell when a section of the route in the Hillary section below the summit point collapsed yesterday morning. Search for the missing climbers is underway, The Himalayan Times reports.

Mongolian climbers - Usukhjargal Tsedendamba and Prevsuren Lkhagvajav - died above 8,500m while descending from the summit point on May 13.

GAROWE ONLINE