A renowned Nepalese mountain guide has shattered his own world record for the most successful summits of Mount Everest after reaching the peak for the 32nd time. Fifty-six-year-old Kami Rita Sherpa, widely celebrated as the "Everest Man," achieved the historic feat on Sunday while guiding international clients up the 8,849-meter (29,032-foot) mountain. The milestone further solidifies his legacy as one of the greatest high-altitude climbers in global history.
Another historic milestone was achieved on the very same day.
Fifty-two-year-old Lhakpa Sherpa, known globally as the "Mountain Queen," broke her own world record for the most ascents by a female climber after registering her 11th successful Everest summit. Nepal`s tourism department issued an official congratulatory statement celebrating both individuals for their monumental contributions to global mountaineering. Nepalese Prime Minister Balendra Shah also praised the climbers, stating on social media that they had rewritten history through unwavering courage, rigorous self-discipline, and honest dedication. Kami Rita first stood atop the world`s tallest peak in 1994 and has managed the grueling trek almost every year since.
Born in the Solukhumbu region to a family of legendary climbers, Kami Rita became the first person to summit Everest 22 times back in 2018. His latest climb was conducted under the banner of the 14 Peaks Expedition company. Meanwhile, Lhakpa Sherpa initially scaled the mountain in 2000, securing her place in history as the first Nepalese woman to successfully reach the summit and survive the descent.
Her remarkable life was showcased in a recent feature project.
A 2023 documentary titled "Mountain Queen" detailed her multiple high-altitude climbs alongside her experiences as a single mother. This year`s climbing season has seen an unprecedented influx of mountaineers, with Nepal granting nearly 500 permits to foreign climbers. Most of these individuals attempt the dangerous trek alongside at least one professional Nepalese guide. However, severe delays caused by a massive, unstable chunk of glacier blocking the route from the Base Camp have raised significant safety concerns regarding potential logistical bottlenecks near the summit.
