The recent passing of Kenyan mountaineer Cheruiyot Kirui near the summit of Mount Everest serves as a grim reminder of the inherent dangers of mountain climbing. His demise, among several others this year on Everest, underscores the formidable challenges that climbers confront on this iconic peak.
Mount Everest, also known as Chomolungma or Sagarmatha, stands as the Earth’s loftiest mountain, towering at 8,849 meters above sea level. As the 70th anniversary of Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary’s historic ascent approaches on May 29, 2023, this year’s climbing season has witnessed a surge in activity. With the Nepali government issuing a record 478 climbing permits, and notable achievements such as Kami Rita Sherpa’s unprecedented 28th summit, Everest’s allure remains undiminished.
However, the allure of Everest is intertwined with its perilous nature. Despite meticulous preparations undertaken by climbers, which often span months or years and involve acclimatization and physical conditioning, the risks persist. The unforgiving environment of Everest claims lives each season, with 2023 ending as one of the deadliest on record, tallying 11 fatalities by May 23, with two climbers still missing.
The hazards faced by climbers attempting Everest’s summit are manifold. These include the ever-present threat of avalanches, falling rocks and ice, treacherous passages like the Khumbu Icefall, extreme cold leading to hypothermia, falls, severe exhaustion, and illnesses stemming from oxygen deprivation.
Statistics from the Himalayan Database reveal a sobering reality: over 310 individuals have perished on Everest since 1922, with more than 16,000 non-Sherpa climbers attempting the summit, of whom 5,633 succeeded. Sherpas, integral to many expeditions, have logged 5,825 summits, with numerous others providing support without summit attempts. Despite these efforts, fatalities remain a grim reality.
For climbers, the perils escalate with altitude. At Everest’s base camp, oxygen levels plummet to 50% of sea level, further diminishing to less than 30% at the summit. In such high-altitude, low-oxygen environments, climbers are susceptible to acute mountain sickness, high-altitude pulmonary edema, and high-altitude cerebral edema.
While supplemental oxygen can aid climbers in combating these conditions, the risks persist. Tragically, many succumb to the harsh environment or altitude-related illnesses during the descent, with exhaustion and exposure claiming lives even after summiting.
The dangers posed by Everest underscore the need for meticulous preparation, respect for the environment, and an acute awareness of one’s limitations. As climbers continue to test their mettle against the world’s tallest peak, each ascent serves as a poignant reminder of the thin line between triumph and tragedy on Mount Everest.