A Nepali Sherpa guide has once again etched his name in mountaineering history by scaling Mount Everest for an unprecedented 32nd time, shattering his own world record. Kami Rita Sherpa, 56, reached the 8,849-metre (29,032ft) summit on Sunday while guiding clients from the 14 Peaks Expedition company.
Historic Milestone
Nepal's Department of Tourism praised the veteran climber for this "historic milestone" and his substantial contributions to promoting mountain tourism. The ascent was completed at 10:12 am local time (4:27 am GMT).
In a related achievement, Sherpa woman Lakhpa, 52, completed her 11th ascent of the world's highest peak, the most by any woman. Further details of their climbs were not immediately available.
Background of the Record Holder
Kami Rita hails from Thame village in Solukhumbu district, the same birthplace as Tenzing Norgay, who alongside New Zealander Sir Edmund Hillary made the first recorded ascent of Everest in 1953. Kami Rita first summitted the peak in 1994 and has repeated the feat every year except in 2014, 2015, and 2020 when expeditions were closed. He has even reached the summit twice in some years.
He is one of many Sherpa guides whose expertise and skills are vital to the safety and success of foreign climbers aspiring to stand on top of the mountain each year. His father was among the first Sherpa mountain guides. Beyond Everest, Kami Rita has scaled several other high peaks, including K2, Cho Oyu, Manaslu, and Lhotse.
Broader Context
More than 8,000 people have climbed Mount Everest, many multiple times, since Norgay and Hillary's first ascent. Among non-Sherpa climbers, the record is held by British guide Kenton Cool with 19 ascents, followed by Americans Dave Hahn and Garrett Madison with 15 each. Cool and Madison are currently on Everest aiming to improve their records.
Guiding foreign climbers to Everest and other peaks provides crucial family income for many Sherpas, natives of the Solukhumbu district where Everest is located.
