Everest 2018: Dead on Everest Japanese Alpinist Nobukazu Kuriki

Nobukazu Kuriki

Stunning news that Japanese climber Nobukazu Kuriki was found dead at Camp 2 on the Nepal side of Everest on the Standard route. The Himalayan Times reports that Sherpas found him at C2. I had just reported that he was feeling better after a cough and was prepared to go higher on an unspecified route. He had struggled in 2018 with a high fever and a cough. Personally, I am shocked as I always found his climbs inspirational.

Update: Its now being reported that he reached C3 on the Lhotse Face and began to have problems with coughing and pain. Intermittent radio contact prevented searchers from finding him and he was missing around 11:30 pm.  His body was finally found above Camp 2 in the morning.

A Unique Style

Kuriki-san was an alpinist purist – always alone, no supplemental oxygen and in the off seasons. He set a standard for his climbs that seemed impossible even for himself. Only a few teams attempt Everest in the autumn season each year due to shortening, cold days and the quickly approaching winter snows. But his determination and commitment was impressive regardless of the results.  Climbing alone was his “style” of climbing. He had solo climbs of McKinley (2004), Aconcagua, Elbrus, Kilimanjaro all in 2005 and Carstensz Pyramid in 2006.

A Strong Determination

This was his eighth attempt on Everest and 13th on an 8000 meter peak, all without supplemental oxygen. Kuriji-san had become a legend in Japan with his Everest attempts and going so far as to lose his fingers to frostbite.  He dreamed of summiting Everest in the autumn – rarely accomplished by any climber – in his unique style of strictly alone and  without supplemental oxygen. This was his dream and he never let it go.

  • Cho Oyu 8188m, age 24 summited on August 5, 2007
  • Manaslu 8153m, age 26 reached 8125m,
  • Dhaulagiri, 81657m, age 26 summited  on May 18, 2009
  • Everest, 8805m. age 27, stopped by weather September 9, 2009
  • Annapurna, 8091m. age 27, aborted at high camp with frostbite May 23, 2010
  • Everest, 8805m. age 28, stopped by weather January 10, 2010
  • Everest, 8805m. age 29, stopped by weather March 10, 2011
  • Everest, 8805m. age 30, frostbite October 18, 2012
  • Everest, 8805m. age 33, stopped by weather October 10, 2015
  • Everest, 8805m. age 34, stopped by avalanches , poor snow conditions, July 10, 2016
  • Annapurna, 8091m. age 33, aborted at high camp with bad climbing conditions October 5, 2016
  • Everest, 8805m. age 34, stopped by weather, May 23, 2017
  • Everest, 8805m. age 35, May 20, 2018

Japanese Pride

Nobukazu Kuriki was quite the showman with videos produced during his climbs and slide shows after. He was a popular public speaker in Japan. His followers measured in the millions but even with that he had to hustle each year to find sponsors for his next climb.

Nobukazu Kuriki lost nine fingertips to frostbite in 2012 courtesy of the Times

Kuriki on Everest

His previous attempts have been met with drama and injury. In 2012 he attempted the West Ridge and had to be rescued by a Sherpa team. He lost nine fingers on on that thwarted attempt. In 2015, he reached a bit above the South Col before deep snow forced him to stop.nIn autumn 2016 from the Tibet side, he planned on the North Face then to the Hornbein Couloir but was turned back by poor conditions.

He usually brought a large film crew along to document his experience, primarily for the Japanese market. They usually post excellent photos of his experience on his social media.Kuriki’s team posted this amazing video on him somewhere on the North Face – beyond amazing!!!

He regularly posted on Facebook, Twitter (JP) and his website 

Thank you Kuriki-san for your courage, vision, determination and strength. Your showmanship to share your dreams brought millions into a word they otherwise would have missed. Thank you for being a true alpinist. Rest in peace in your mountains.

Climb On!
Alan
Memories are Everything

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