Jason Kennison’s mum reveals last conversation before his tragic Everest death

The mother of a South Australian man who died on Mount Everest has revealed their last conversation before his death. See tributes.

The grieving mother of a South Australian man who died while hiking Mount Everest has revealed their final conversation.

Gill Kennison said the last exchange she had with her son Jason Kennison was a simple reminder to “take it easy” and stay safe.

“He said ‘I’ll see you when I get back’,” an emotional Mrs Kennison said.

“And I said, ‘well take care Jason and take it easy, and just remember, I’ll always love you. That was the last words we said.”

Mr Kennison’s brother Adrian paid tribute to Jason’s spirit of adventure.
“We are so proud of his achievements and we take great solace in knowing he made it to the summit of the highest place on this planet,” he said.

Jason Kennison’s mum Gill asked her son to stay safe before he left. Picture: 9 News

Mr Kennison is the 10th person to perish on the world’s tallest peak this season. And in an ironic twist, the 40-year-old survived a bad car crash in 2006.

In a tribute posted by his family on Monday the adventurer is seen in a photo with his fist raised in the air surrounded by a snow-capped mountain.

“Jason was one to live a full life. He would put his mind to something, set a goal and achieve it. Whether that be playing footy as a kid, winning motorcross races, working around the world in the mining industry and in high risk environments,” the family statement said.

Australian climber Jason Bernard Kennison, 40 has died on Everest after becoming unwell on Friday. Picture: Supplied

“He did all the training he could in preparation to achieving his new goal: climbing to the top of Everest. We are so proud of his achievements and we take great solace in knowing he made it to the summit. The highest place on this earth.

“We would like to send our greatest love and thanks to Nepal where he had Sherpas go above and beyond to help try to bring him home.

“We are worlds apart but united through our love for Jason. He was the beloved son of Jock and Gill, and brother to five siblings. His family are heartbroken and he will be forever missed.”

Adrian Kennison speaks about his brother's death. Picture: 9 News

Mr Kennison had documented his climb on Instagram with his final post taking in the “Mount Everest – Camp 2 view”.

Other photos shared included walking across a ladder on Khumbu Icefall.

One of Mr Kennison’s close friends shared the last conversation he had with the climber weeks before his death.

“He was a very good guy with a kind heart. I had a quick chat with him a few weeks ago before he was gonna summit,” Mahmud Khalili said.

“I’m happy he made it to the top. He died doing something he was passionate about. Jason, we’ll see you again one day my friend.”

Mahmud Khalili shared a touching tribute to his friend Jason.

Mahmud Khalili shared his last conversation with Jason Kennison.

‘UNRESPONSIVE’

Mr Kennison died after encountering difficulties on Friday while above 8000 metres on Everest, known among climbers as the death zone.The South Australian, who had been living in Perth, became “unresponsive” at the summit and was brought down to the Balcony area below the peak.
“Since the oxygen cylinders that they had with them were running out, they decided to descend to Camp 4 hoping to climb back again with oxygen cylinders to rescue him,” Asian Trekking’s chief Dawa Steven Sherpa told AFP.

Jason Kennison’s last Instagram post from Camp 2 view on Mount Everest.

His last series of posts had been pictures taken along his climb including walking across a ladder on Khumbu Icefall.

“It was high wind and bad weather that prevented them (from) going back to bring him down. He died at the Balcony area.”

Mr Kennison spent years learning to walk again after the road accident left him with multiple injuries including to his spinal cord.

He endured a lengthy recovery that saw him battle depression for a year before he began to regain some function in his arms and legs.

Years later he suffered further spinal nerve damage but remained committed to completing the climb to raise money for SCIA.

Less than two weeks ago, Mr Kennison featured on 7 News where he shared his story ahead of his gigantic climb.

Australian climber Jason Bernard Kennison became unwell before he tragically died.

He was even featured on the Today Show in March where he spoke to Karl Stefanovic and Sarah Abo.

Writing on his Just Giving fundraising page, Mr Kennison said: “After having to learn to walk again after a spinal cord injury, I will be attempting to ascent to Mount Everest base camp to raise funds for Spinal Cord Injuries Australia. Please support me by making a donation to this great cause.”

Mr Kennison detailed his belief that his career as a heavy vehicle mechanic was over and that he would be unlikely to walk or use his arms normally again.

When he eventually became capable of being able to work, he said it was “like the icing on the cake” and went on to work on mine sites in South Australia and Queensland and began coaching in Kyrgyzstan and Laos.

Australian climber Jason Bernard Kennison was told he may never walk again following a crash in 2006. Picture: 7 News

Mr Kennison’s death is the sixth among non-Nepalis while four Sherpas have lost their lives on Everest in this year’s climbing season.

On average, five climbers die every spring climbing season on Everest. But in 2019, 11 people died, with four of the deaths blamed on overcrowding on the mountain.

Nearly 450 climbers have already climbed Mount Everest this season, according to Nepal’s tourism department.

It has issued 478 permits to foreign climbers this year, with each paying an $11,000 fee.

Since most will need a guide, more than 900 people — a record — were expected to try to summit during the season, which runs until early June.

Originally published as Jason Kennison’s mum reveals last conversation before his tragic Everest death