Kenyan Climber Dies Near Everest Summit, Guide Missing

Officials announced on Thursday, May 23, that 40-year-old Kenyan climber Kirue Joshua Cheruiyot has died near the summit of Mount Everest. The search and rescue team from Seven Summit Treks found his body between the summit and the Hilary Step. Cheruiyot’s climbing guide, 44-year-old Nawang Sherpa, remains missing.

The Everest Chronicles reported that the duo had been out of contact since late Tuesday. Initial reports mistakenly indicated that two bodies had been found, but officials later clarified the miscommunication.

“We have received a report that the research and rescue team has found the body of the Kenyan climber, while his guide remains missing. The search for him is ongoing,” said Khimlal Gautam, Chief of the Expedition Monitoring and Facilitation Field Office of the Department of Tourism at the base camp.

Sherpa rescuers recovered Cheruiyot’s body late on Wednesday, about 19 meters (62 feet) below the 8,849-meter peak, according to Nepal’s Department of Tourism.

Cheruiyot and Sherpa were part of the Seven Summit Treks expedition. This latest death comes as officials continue searching for British climber Daniel Paul Paterson, 40, and his Sherpa guide Pas Tenji Sherpa, 23, who have also been missing in the same area.

With Cheruiyot’s death, the total fatalities on Mount Everest this season have reached three, alongside an additional death reported on Mount Lhotse, which shares the same route. This adds to the more than 335 climbers who have died out of approximately 7,000 who have attempted the summit over the years.