Kami Rita Sherpa, a renowned Mount Everest guide who scaled the peak a record 32nd time this week, urged authorities on Friday to impose limits on the number of climbers allowed on the summit. The 56-year-old Sherpa expressed concern over the swelling crowds on the world's highest mountain, which have increased risks for climbers.
Record Ascent Amid Crowded Conditions
Kami Rita reached the 8,849-meter (29,032-foot) summit earlier this week, setting a new record for the most ascents of Everest. However, he noted that this season has seen an unprecedented number of climbers, largely due to China closing the northern route from Tibet. On Wednesday, 274 climbers reached the summit from the Nepalese side, the highest single-day total ever recorded from that route.
Nepal's mountaineering authorities have issued permits to 494 climbers this season, with an equal number of Sherpa guides accompanying them. Kami Rita described the conditions as "very crowded" compared to last year, emphasizing the need for authorities to control the numbers to ensure safety.
Risks of Overcrowding
Climbers have only a few windows of favorable weather to attempt the summit. When large numbers of people are clipped into a fixed rope line, it creates a traffic jam and exposes climbers to extended periods of harsh weather, increasing the risk of frostbite, exhaustion, and other dangers.
Kami Rita's closest competitor, Pasang Dawa Sherpa, scaled Everest for the 31st time on Friday, his second successful ascent this week.
A Legacy of Guiding
Kami Rita first climbed Everest in 1994 and has made the journey nearly every year since. He is one of many Sherpa guides whose expertise and skills are vital to the safety and success of foreign climbers. His father was among the first Sherpa guides. In addition to Everest, Kami Rita has climbed other high peaks, including K2, Cho Oyu, Manaslu, and Lhotse.
