Jason Kennison Parents, What Happened to Him?
by Mathelene | Updated May 23, 2023
Who is Jason Kennison?
Kennison, a 40-year-old mechanic, successfully achieved his goal of reaching the summit but tragically did not survive the journey back home, according to his family. He was a member of an expedition organized by Asian Trekking and led by Dawa Steven Sherpa. Sherpa reported that Kennison began exhibiting unusual behavior after reaching the south summit.
In an attempt to aid Kennison, the two Sherpa guides accompanying him assisted him in descending to the balcony area, located at an elevation of 8,400 meters. However, when Kennison refused to proceed any further, the guides had to continue to Camp four due to their depleting oxygen supply. Their plan was to return with fresh oxygen cylinders to rescue Kennison, but adverse weather conditions and strong winds hindered their immediate return.
Kennison's remarkable climb came 17 years after being told he may never walk again following a car accident in 2006, which resulted in spinal cord injuries and battles with depression. He undertook the Everest ascent as a means of raising funds for Spinal Cord Injuries Australia.
Before embarking on the Everest expedition, Kennison underwent extensive training, including mountaineering courses in New Zealand. He practiced abseiling and rock climbing and even set up training facilities in his backyard for ladder crossing, jumaring, and roping. The Australian family affected by this tragic loss in Nepal is currently receiving consular assistance from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Jason Kennison Parents
Gill Kennison, the mother of the late Kennison, has been identified as the mother of the deceased climber. However, apart from her name, there is limited information available about her. Details about Kennison's father are also unavailable at this time.
According to reports, Gill Kennison had a conversation with her son on Thursday, May 18, the day before his unfortunate passing on Friday, May 19. After learning about her son's tragic death, she shared her thoughts and emotions in a statement.
Gill Kennison expressed her profound grief and sorrow, describing the immense loss she is experiencing as a result of her son's passing. It is evident that Gill Kennison is deeply affected by the untimely demise of her son, and she is currently going through a difficult and painful time. “The last … FaceTime we had was on Wednesday and he spoke to … me in the garden and he showed us his tent, and he showed us his washing drying in his tent … and the view from his tent. Then he rang me Thursday.
He said, ‘Mum we’re doing the big walk to the summit at night’, and I couldn’t hear what he was saying, and he said, ‘I’ll see you when I get back’. And I said, ‘Well just remember Jason please take it easy, take care and remember I’ll always, I’ll always love you’, and that was the last words we said. Knowing they were my last words to him was comforting, I guess, in a way.”
How Did Jason Kennison Die?
Jason Kennison tragically lost his life while descending from Mount Everest due to treacherous weather conditions on the mountain. Despite successfully reaching the summit, Kennison encountered problems and became unresponsive, ultimately leading to his untimely demise.
According to his climbing group, Kennison managed to descend from the summit and arrived at a location known as The Balcony, situated below the mountain's highest point. It was at this point that he started experiencing severe discomfort and ceased responding.
In an effort to assist Kennison, his Sherpa guides, who were assisting him throughout the climb, descended to a lower camp in search of additional oxygen tanks as their supplies were running low. However, they were unable to reach the camp due to the adverse weather conditions and strong winds.
Tragically, Kennison's condition deteriorated further, and he ultimately succumbed to his illness at The Balcony. This particular area is often referred to as the "death zone" by climbers, as it is located at an altitude of over 8,000 meters and poses significant challenges due to the lack of oxygen and harsh environment.
The loss of Jason Kennison serves as a somber reminder of the risks involved in mountaineering, particularly in extreme conditions, and highlights the critical importance of thorough preparation, experienced guides, and awareness of the dangers inherent to such endeavors.
Jason Kennison's Cause of Death
Jason Kennison tragically passed away while descending Mount Everest. After successfully reaching the summit at the formidable height of 8,849 meters, Kennison encountered difficulties that necessitated assistance from fellow members of his expedition. In order to aid him, he was guided to an area called the Balcony, which is situated approximately 450 meters below the summit. It was during this period that Sherpa's guides noticed abnormal behavior from Kennison.
Unfortunately, due to adverse weather conditions, the expedition team had depleted their oxygen supplies, rendering it impossible to retrieve additional oxygen cylinders from Camp IV. Dawa Steven Sherpa, the managing director at Asian Trekking, provided an explanation for the situation. The Balcony, positioned around 8,400 meters above sea level, serves as a resting point where climbers can admire the breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding Himalayan peaks.
While the precise cause of Jason Kennison's death has not been explicitly stated, the aforementioned difficulties encountered during the descent from Mount Everest, combined with the lack of available oxygen and the challenges posed by the harsh environment, likely contributed to this tragic outcome.
Jason Kennison Parents - FAQs
Jason Kennison was a 40-year-old mechanic who successfully reached the summit of Mount Everest but unfortunately did not survive the descent.
Jason Kennison passed away while descending from Mount Everest.
The "death zone" refers to the high-altitude area on Mount Everest, typically above 8,000 meters, where oxygen levels are extremely low, and the environment is harsh.
While the exact cause of Jason Kennison's death has not been explicitly stated, it is believed that the combination of adverse weather conditions, the lack of oxygen at high altitudes.