Only Person to Attempt Mt. Everest This Year Abandons 2nd Attempt

Miles Clark | | Post Tag for Industry NewsIndustry News
Nobukazu Kuriki
Nobukazu Kuriki with all his fingers before 2012.

According to the BBC, the Japanese climber, Nobukazu Kuriki, who has lost 9 fingers attempting to climb Everest 5 times, has abandoned his second attempt at summiting 29,028-foot Mt. Everest this fall.

Nobukazu is the only person to attempt Everest since the earthquake that caused the avalanche that killed 18 people in Everest Base Camp and over 9,000 people in Nepal on April 25th, 2015.

Mt. Everest yesterday in sunset alpenglow from near Everest Base Camp. photo: zeb blais/alpinemountainworks.com
Mt. Everest yesterday in sunset alpenglow from near Everest Base Camp. photo: zeb blais/alpinemountainworks.com

Nobukazu went for the summit yesterday but was turned back due to the vicious high altitude winds characteristic of October in the Himalayas.

“I’ve done my best, but I decided to descend on Thursday at approximately 6:30 a.m. Nepal time.  In the wind getting stronger, I realized even if I kept going to the summit, I wouldn’t be able to go back to the final camp alive in the strong wind. It was really tough decision, but I started to descend at 3:35 a.m. from 8,150m (26,7380′). Thank you so much for all your support. I appreciate you all.” – Nobukazu Kuriki via Facebook today

Nobukazu Kuriki
Nobukazu Kuriki

Nobukazu had already attempted to summit once this year in September but gave up that attempt above 26,000-feet stating:

“I tried hard taking all my energy, but it took too much time to move in deep deep snow.”

“I realized if I kept going, I wouldn’t be able to come back alive.” – Nobukazu via Facebook

Everest’s summit will go untouched this year for the first time since 1974.

Nobukazu Kuriki
Nobukazu Kuriki

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