NAIROBI, Kenya- The recent death of a Kenyan climber Cheruiyot Kirui, whose lifeless body was found in the ‘death zone’, area above 8,000 meters on May 23, underscores the dangerous nature of high-altitude mountaineering.
While details of what transpired to Kirui are still pending official confirmation, his death is part of a grim tally this year on Everest, highlighting the extreme challenges faced by climbers.
Mount Everest, known as Chomolungma in Tibetan and Sagarmatha in Nepali, stands as the highest mountain on Earth, with its peak reaching 8,849 meters above sea level.
This year marks the 71st anniversary of the first successful summit of Mount Everest by Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary on May 29, 1953.
According to the Himalayan Database, over 320 people have lost their lives on Mount Everest from 1922 to the end of the 2023 climbing season.
During this period, more than 16,000 non-Sherpa climbers have attempted to reach the summit, with 5,633 succeeding.
As the allure of climbing Mt. Everest continues to attract adventurers globally, the dangers in this extreme endeavor are formidable, making it a risky pursuit even for the most experienced mountaineers.
One of the primary dangers climbers face is the extreme altitude, which significantly reduces oxygen levels, leading to hypoxia.
This can cause acute mountain sickness, characterized by headaches, dizziness, and fatigue.
In severe cases, it can escalate to life-threatening conditions such as high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE) and high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE), which require immediate descent and medical attention.
The weather on Everest is very unpredictable and harsh. Sudden storms can bring hurricane-force winds, whiteout conditions, and temperatures plummeting to -40 degrees Fahrenheit, increasing the risk of frostbite and hypothermia.
Avalanches and icefalls pose significant risks as well. The Khumbu Icefall, one of the first major obstacles on the southern route, is a constantly shifting maze of ice blocks and crevasses.
Avalanches, which can occur without warning, have claimed many lives, including a tragic incident in 2014 that killed 16 Sherpas.
Moreover, the physical demands of the climb are immense. The ascent requires navigating steep, technical terrain while carrying heavy loads, often under extreme fatigue.
The final push to the summit, known as the “death zone” above 26,000 feet, is particularly grueling.
Here, the human body begins to deteriorate due to the lack of oxygen, making every step a monumental effort.
The growing popularity of Everest expeditions has led to overcrowding, exacerbating these dangers.
Traffic jams on the narrow paths to the summit have resulted in climbers waiting in line for hours, exposed to the elements, and running low on oxygen.
Environmental concerns also play a role. Melting glaciers, driven by climate change, are altering the landscape, making routes more hazardous.
Additionally, the increasing amount of waste left by climbers has created environmental and health hazards on the mountain.
Of all deaths from 1950 to 2023 in non-Sherpa climbers during a summit bid on Mount Everest, about 35p.c were caused by falls, with other leading causes being exhaustion (22p.c), altitude illness (18p.c), and exposure (13p.c) according to the Himalayan Database.
