Cheruiyot Kirui: Kenyan climber found dead after disappearing on Everest

Nepalese newspaper the Himalayan Times quoted Mr Sherpa, external informing the base camp that Mr Kirui had showed “abnormal behaviour” and “refused to return and even consume bottled oxygen”.

Contact with the duo was lost shortly after the message, base camp officials told the paper.

Last week, Mr Kirui told BBC that he had undergone extensive physical preparations ahead of the challenge, with his descent planned for Wednesday.

“The major/specific preparation was climbing Manaslu, the eighth highest mountain in the world in 2023 September,” he wrote in an email to BBC.

“However I’ve been climbing locally in Kenya, many stair climbs, gym workouts and running as specific preparation. Also for 10 years I’ve climbed, ran marathons and ultra marathons which adds to the general preparations”.

In his latest Instagram post, Mr Kirui had expressed confidence that he could conquer Everest without additional oxygen.

He however told the BBC that he had emergency oxygen support from Mr Sherpa and an emergency evacuation cover in case he ran into difficulties.

He was a banker with one of Kenya’s biggest lenders.