George Mallory, the greatest British mountaineer of his day who died on Everest in 1924, replied "because it is there" when asked why he wanted to climb the highest mountain in the world.
Last week Cheruiyot Kirui died just below the summit of Everest trying to climb it without oxygen. He was a banker with KCB, not a professional climber, but he was following his dream.
He was close to the summit of 8,849 metres but apparently started suffering from altitude sickness and disorientation in the 'death zone' above 8,000 metres where oxygen becomes very scarce. Only three percent of Everest summits are made without oxygen.
It was ambitious to climb Everest without oxygen as he had only previously climbed Kilimanjaro and Mt Kenya (many times).
But, as the saying goes, it is better to try and fail than not to try at all.
He paid with his life but he proved that Kenyans are brave and intrepid. He flew the flag high. We can all be proud of him.
The best way to remember him is for us to follow our own dreams, even if they sometimes seem crazy and dangerous.
Quote of the day: "In every walk with nature one receives far more than one seeks."
John Muir
He founded the Sierra Club in San Francisco on May 28, 1892
