In his latest ascent, Kami Rita not only reinforces his status as a mountaineering icon but also highlights the ongoing challenges facing Everest climbers and the mountain's environmental concerns.
Kami Rita Sherpa Breaks Everest Record with 31 Summits
Kami Rita Sherpa Breaks Everest Record with 31 Summits
Legendary Nepali climber Kami Rita Sherpa achieves remarkable feat of scaling Everest for the 31st time, setting a new record.
Nepali climber Kami Rita Sherpa, widely known as "Everest Man," has set a new world record by summiting Mount Everest for the 31st time, surpassing his own previous record. The 55-year-old skilled guide reached the summit, which stands at 8,894 meters, at 04:00 local time on Tuesday while leading a team of Indian army officials on their ascent.
Expedition organiser Seven Summit Treks praised him as a "global symbol of Everest," reflecting his vital contribution to Nepal's mountaineering legacy. Since his first successful summit in 1994, Kami Rita has consistently returned to the iconic peak, achieving multiple ascents per year, including twice in both 2023 and 2024.
His closest contender for the record, fellow Sherpa Pasang Dawa, ascended Everest 29 times, with his latest climb occurring last week. Though honored by his accomplishments, Kami Rita regards his climbs as professional duties and emphasizes their role in promoting Nepal's global recognition.
Earlier this month, he shared moments from life on Everest, showcasing the Puja ceremony, a Tibetan Buddhist ritual performed to invoke safety and success for climbers. This record-breaking summit follows British mountaineer Kenton Cool's ascent for the 19th time, marking another notable achievement in the climbing community.
Despite over 500 climbers reaching the summit this season, concerns linger regarding dangerous overcrowding and resulting environmental impacts. In response, Nepal's authorities have implemented regulations requiring climbers to manage their waste responsibly during expeditions. The tourism department reported the issuance of over 1,000 climbing permits this season, which points to an increasing interest in Mount Everest and highlights the ongoing debate on sustainable mountaineering practices.
