A recent incident on Mount Everest has sparked concerns about the safety of climbers and the potential for sabotage. Joshua Cheruiyot Kirui, a 40-year-old Kenyan climber, tragically lost his life while attempting to summit the mountain without supplementary oxygen. His body was found 48 meters below the summit, alongside his Nepali guide, Nawang Sherpa, who remains missing.
Nirmal Purja, a renowned climber, has alleged that ropes on Mount Everest were intentionally cut just below the summit, potentially contributing to Kirui’s recent shocking and sad demise However, other teams that recently summited the mountain reported that the ropes were intact, contradicting Purja’s claims.
The incident has led to speculation about the motivations behind the alleged rope cutting. Some believe it could be a result of “dirty politics” among climbing companies, where they sabotage each other to gain an advantage. This theory is supported by Purja’s claims that he has faced “disgusting and dirty politics” in the industry since 2019, which he believes is a major factor in the recent deaths on the mountain.
The investigation into the alleged rope cutting is ongoing, with Nepal’s Department of Tourism launching a legal investigation against Purja for disseminating misinformation. The department has also confirmed that the facts stated in this story are accurate, but the investigation is still ongoing to determine the cause of the rope cutting and its potential impact on the climbing season.
The recent surge in climbing activity on the mountain has led to overcrowding and increased the risk of accidents. The high altitude and harsh conditions make it difficult to retrieve bodies, and many families choose to leave their loved ones on the mountain due to the high risk and expense.
As the investigation unfolds, the climbing community is left to wonder about the motivations behind the alleged rope cutting and the potential impact on future climbing expeditions on the mountain.
