The search and rescue team found the body of the 40-year-old Cheruiyot Kirui, who lies lifeless just some meters below the peak. Gautam says that what remained of Kirui's body was recovered, but his Nepalese guide, Nawang Sherpa, is still missing; their disappearance was reported on Tuesday.

The sad event underlines the risky challenges in climbing the highest peak in the world, where mountaineers dare to face fearful conditions and unpredicted hazards. Efforts were still underway Friday to understand how Kirui died and to locate his missing guide. In this respect, this is a grim reminder of the exposure to risk individual mountaineers take part in on the slopes of Everest.