Famed Sherpa guide climbs Mount Everest for record 31st time
Before heading to the mountain, Kami Rita had told The Associated Press he would try to climb to the top for the 31st or even possibly 32nd time. He made two successful climbs last year.
He had attempted to climb to the summit a few days ago but was forced to turn back due to bad weather.
Hundreds of climbers have attempted to climb Mount Everest from the Nepali side of the peak in the south this season, which ends this weekend. Most climbing of Everest and nearby Himalayan peaks is done in April and May, when weather conditions are most favourable.
Kami Rita, 55, first climbed Everest in 1994 and has been making the trip 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 aspiring to stand on top of the 8,849-metre (29,032-foot) mountain each year.
His father was among the first Sherpa mountain guides.
In addition to Everest, Kami Rita has climbed other peaks that are among the world's highest, including K2, Cho Oyu, Manaslu and Lhotse.
His closest competitor for the most climbs of Mount Everest is fellow Sherpa guide Pasang Dawa, who has made 29 successful ascents of the mountain.
Everest was first climbed in 1953 by New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Nepali Sherpa Tenzing Norgay.
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Time Out Dubai
3 hours ago
- Time Out Dubai
Air Canada flight cancelled from Dubai? Alternative airlines you can use instead
Around 500,000 travellers across the globe have been affected by the grounding of all Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flights. Among those affected are Dubai residents travelling with the airline between Toronto and the emirate during the busy summer travel period. If you're stuck in Canada and need to get home before the start of the academic year, or were due to travel west from DXB, there are a few options you can take this month. The airline has issued advice for travellers who had booked before Friday August 15, which you can see here. Alternative travel can be arranged that will get you back to the United Arab Emirates, including two direct options from DXB and Abu Dhabi's Zayed International Airport. Direct flights to Canada from the UAE Emirates Emirates (Credit: Emirates) Emirates flights to and from Toronto Pearson International Airport continue to operate as normal, while Air Canada flights are grounded across the globe. The DXB-based airline flies once daily from the world's busiest airport. Flights from DXB start from Dhs1,962 direct to Toronto this week, while flights from Toronto start at Dhs4,957 with Emirates this month. Flights with stopovers are available to book too, according to Skyscanner, however, the vast majority include a flight with Air Canada, so keep this in mind while the crisis is ongoing. Etihad Etihad Airways Alternatively, Dubai-based travellers can head to Abu Dhabi and fly with Etihad Airways. The UAE capital-based airline also operates a daily route to Toronto Pearson International Airport, departing at 2.20am GST. If you're travelling from Dubai and are booked on an Etihad Airways flight, you can get a free bus to the UAE capital from New Safestway Supermarket on Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai. Flights are priced from Dhs4,811 according to Skyscanner if you're travelling this month from Abu Dhabi to Toronto. For those who need to get back to the UAE from Toronto, flights are priced from Dhs2,830 with Etihad Airways in August. Flights with stopovers are available to book too, according to Skyscanner, however, the vast majority include a flight with Air Canada, so keep this in mind while the crisis is ongoing. Things to do in Dubai Where to get the viral FIX chocolate in Dubai (or the best dupes if you can't) Get that sweet tooth satisfied 53 free things to do in Dubai You won't believe what you can do 52 brilliant family-friendly days out in the UAE For you and the little ones
Scotsman
4 hours ago
- Scotsman
I competed in a 320-mile EcoRally across Scotland - forget speed, being bang average wins this race
Jim fords a water hazard in his Omoda race car in Tayside | Omoda Jim McGill returns home as Dundee plays host to the third FIA ecoRally Scotland event, navigating technical glitches and grumpy dogwalkers along the way Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... '45, 47, let's try 50, now 52, back to 43. Perfect: 45 is your sweet-spot. Now ease up to 48; try 50.' I went to sleep on Sunday night with the incessant instructions from my ever-patient and experienced co-driver Ian Wallace still rattling round my subconsciousness. Over the previous 36-hours we'd driven 350-miles, 164 of them covering the 12 competitive stages which formed the third running of the FIA ecoRally Scotland. And throughout those 12 stages, we lived on a constant delivery of the speed in kilometres per hour that I was to drive at. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Now let's get one thing straight right from the start. This was no hanging the car sideways drifting majestically and powerfully through long, sweeping gravel stages running through the Scottish forests. No. This is what's called a regularity rally. It's aim? Not to be the fastest driver but to maintain a precise average speed over a set route, this time on public roads, passing through checkpoints at predetermined times. One thing I quickly learned was, given that ecoRally Scotland is run to the meticulously, bureaucratically-specific rules and regs of the FIA — that's the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile, the Paris-based governing body of global motorsport – it's a pedant's paradise. Run in tandem with Motorsport UK's Streetcar programme, which encourages more people to getbehind the wheel and enjoy the sport specifically using a standard, unmodified car, the actual planning of the event fell to the Scottish Motor Racing Club (SMRC). Jim with his car for teh event outside John Clark Dundee | Omoda Formed in 1946 and boasting a rich motorsport heritage represented by all of Scotland's leading drivers, including the likes of F1 world champs Sir Jackie Stewart and Jim Clark to today's leading racing drivers such as Gordon Shedden and Sandy Mitchell, the club is 'committed to promoting carbon neutral motorsport for generations to come'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Significant then that a crucial point to highlight is, as its name suggests, the ecoRally is devoid of fuel-injected, turbocharged petrol engines. Quite the contrary. This was an event open solely to road-going, fully electric vehicles. The sort of car the Government is trying harder and harder to get you to buy. And it's definitely not an insignificant event. ecoRally Scotland formed round eight of the Bridgestone FIA ecoRally Cup. A total of 21 crews and cars gathered in Dundee for the two-day rally, with teams coming from as far afield as France, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria and Latvia. And in case you wondered, Latvia to Dundee is a 1,900-mile drive … each way. Why, I hear you ask, was the event based in Dundee? The city boasts 'sustainable innovation credentials' as the City Council plays a key role in delivering Scotland's promise of a net-zero society by 2045. For more than a decade, the Council has been committed to transforming transportation, as one of the UK's leading EV cities, with 34% of fleet vehicles being electric. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The city also boasts an extensive network of electric vehicle charging hubs and infrastructure through ChargePlace Scotland which, coincidentally, supported the fully-electric vehicles taking part in the event. As you would expect, some of the leading EV manufacturers were represented, with models from Kia, Hyundai, Skoda, Volkswagen, Audi, Cupra, MG, Honda, BMW, Tesla, Alpine and Omoda. My electric chariot for the event was the Omoda E5. Featuring a 61kWh battery and WLTP-estimated range of 257 miles, it promised to be the perfect EV to ensure not only did I remain competitive in the event, but would manage to do so in a certain degree of comfort. The initial gathering point for all competitors was registration, signing-on and scrutineering hosted at John Clark Motor Group's spanking new 'benchmark' multi-franchise dealership in the city. Grabbing the opportunity to catch-up with John Clark, himself a veteran not only of the automotive industry but also a legend in the Scottish motorsport world, both as a supporter and competitor, he took pride in showing me round the mightily-impressive Seat, Skoda, and Cupra dealership. He was also quick to highlight: 'We have solar panels on the roof here, so a lot of the electricity we're using today is being supplied by them. We are very impressed by Motorsport UK's commitment to creating and supporting a competitive environment for EV, and particularly that it's in Scotland, and more importantly, the ecoRally is based in Dundee.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Day one dawned on Saturday morning, and before the crews heading into the opening five stages through Tayside and Fife, there was an unforeseen glitch. All competing cars are fitted with a sealed GPS tracker which feeds the car's position, location and speed back to HQ. It's this data which decides the outcome of the event. For the first time in the UK, measurement was to be down to 1/10th of a second. Timing was to be measured by new trackers built and delivered by a company in Spain. Frustratingly, despite promises to the SMRC organisers over the previous few days, they hadn't arrived for the event start. It was an immediate test for Clerk of the Course Richard Crozier and larger-than-life SMRC director Becky Smith, and one they handled with forthright honesty, openness and a Scottish sense of 'we'll beat whatever's been thrown at us'. Despite understandable grumblings from a number of the European-based competitors, the decision was taken that the first two stages would be run as 'non-competitive' tests. The reason? The new trackers were now at Edinburgh Airport and the SMRC was confident they could be collected and fitted to all cars when we got to Knockhill for Stage 3. Jim and co-driver Ian passing Ben Lawers | Omoda When we arrived at Knockhill, after tests through 'Braes of the Carse' and 'Path of Condie', the new trackers were duly fitted, and everyone was happy. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad After lunch, the Omoda E5 was in its element driving through the always-stunning Glen Devon before undertaking two more stages at 'Glen Eagles' and 'The Dragon' before heading back to Dundee where the cars were recharged and locked away under parc ferme conditions; essentially meaning no one could touch them. Leg two on Sunday was the longest of the weekend, including seven timed stages. From Glen Almond we headed to Glen Quaich, down into Kenmore before driving along the north side of Loch Tay then heading into the stunning scenery of Ben Lawers and the Bridge of Balgie. Next-up was the Pass of Killiecrankie, before finishing at Tulliemet and Lunan Lochs. Having been born and raised in Dundee, and then spending my first two summers after leaving secondary school working in and around the Loch Tay area, this was very much a return to the beautiful Scottish geography of my formative years. Fair to say though, certainly on the competitive sections, I saw very little of the spectacular scenery. My eyes danced between the digital km/h speedo straight in front of me — as Ian, who also happens to be Omoda & Jaecoo UK PR boss, rattled off the speed he wanted me to hit to maintain our average through the test — and the road. There's no denying it's a demanding test, both for the driver, and from my perspective, moreso for the co-driver. I just drove; but the patience, attention to detail and organisation required to co-drive is all-consuming. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad We thoroughly enjoyed our two-day ecoRally Scotland adventure, though we did need to concede defeat to overall winners, Czech duo Michal Zdarsky and Jakub Nabalek in their Hyundai. The Omoda E5 actually was a hoot to drive. Range was never an issue over the two competitive days, and it handled the mix of road types and surfaces — the stages were essentially run on our typical Scottish single-track roads — with ease. Power delivery was instant, especially when I had five or six seconds to accelerate quickly to catch-up on the time we'd dropped at a junction or through a tight twisty bit. The 0-62mph time of 7.2secs was handy. And at the end of each long day there were no aches or pains: it' a comfortable piece of kit to drive. Yours from £33,065. As for regularity tests? Hmmm … ? One of my colleagues labelled it the 'Olympic race walking of motorsport'. I know what he means, but it is a bit harsh. It does, however, split opinion. Being run on public roads, the SMRC was comprehensive in mail-dropping all houses on the competitive stages to inform the residents of the event. For the main part we were greeted by families — often three generations — standing at the end of their drives waving as the cars went passed. On other occasions, often walkers, cyclists, or dog owners aired on the 'grumpy, intolerant' side. Most likely they were visitors to the area and were not aware of the event. I'll give them that leeway. In all, despite some glitches, the event was a success. For Ian and I, it was definitely a learning experience. He's done these types of things before, but more in the 'historic' category. It was my regularity debut. At times I wondered what the point of it was? No surprise that my favourite 'stage' was at Knockhill where we simply had to fly two laps round the undulating handling course as quickly as possible. I was in my element, proudly leaving an Alpine, driven by a much more experienced rally exponent, in my dust. The Omoda's low centre of gravity, thanks to the positioning of the batteries, helped maximise grip. Should, in the future, we return to ecoRally Scotland, or some other regularity test, we've committed to 'going big'. Like the 'serious competitors' on the event, rather than rely on the 'standard' timing app we were given, we too will get our own GPS boosters for the car — to improve the accuracy of the readings — plus a big tablet to stick on the fascia showing this info to both driver and navigator at the same time. EcoRally Scotland was great fun … but we live and learn, ready to rise to the challenge.
Daily Record
5 hours ago
- Daily Record
Gran's £3k Disneyland Paris dream trip ends in tears after tickets cancelled in admin blunder
Sue Batters was enjoing the final day of her holiday with her family when they were denied into the theme park. A grandmother says her 'once-in-a-lifetime' Disney holiday turned into a nightmare after an admin blunder left her family stranded outside the theme park. Sue Batters, 68, spent more than £3,000 to treat her t wo daughters and five grandsons to a three-day break in Disneyland Paris, only for their park tickets to be suddenly cancelled without warning. The trip, booked with London-based Times and Travels UK, was meant to cover everything – Eurostar travel, a hotel stay, and tickets to both Disneyland and Walt Disney Studios. For Sue, from Avery Way, Allhallows, on the Hoo Peninsula, it was a dream holiday she had saved up for, determined to give her family a magical experience, report s the Mirror. But on the final day of their May trip, as the group tried to enter Walt Disney Studios Park, their tickets stopped working. Staff told them their passes had been cancelled, leaving Sue, her daughters Rebecca and Hayley, and grandsons Archie, Alfie, Freddie, Stanley, and Parker unable to get inside. Sue recalled: 'I was in tears. My grandchildren kept asking me why I was crying. What are you supposed to do when you have five children who want to go to Disney? They did not understand why we could not get in." The family was advised to contact Times and Travels UK directly. But after hours of frantic phone calls and messages, they were eventually told at 1pm that the tickets had in fact been cancelled two days before they even travelled. The reason, Sue was told, was a £497 discrepancy – despite her having already paid the full amount for the package. The semi-retired driver said she was horrified to discover the mistake was down to an 'admin error.' She said: 'This was a once-in-a-lifetime trip. I spent all my savings on a magical holiday, but this ruined it. It was meant to be a lovely trip away for the family, but instead we were standing outside Disney crying with five children.' Sue eventually paid £650 out of her own pocket for replacement tickets at the gate, after being reassured she would be reimbursed. But she says she is still waiting for the refund. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. According to Sue, the firm has offered to return the money in three instalments – £459 followed by two payments of £100 – but she has refused, insisting on a single payment of the full amount. She said: 'What if someone did not have the money to buy the tickets at the door? "Not everyone has that option, and it is not a small amount that you might have extra. I always book holidays with the likes of TUI and Jet2, but I checked it out and it looked fine. I did have a bad feeling, so I booked it on the credit card and made sure I was protected. In the back of my mind, I was worried.' Times and Travels UK has not responded to direct requests for comment. However, in a reply to Sue's review on Trustpilot, the firm admitted the day passes were cancelled by its supplier without prior notice. The company said: 'We acknowledge this was frustrating and we sincerely apologise for the stress it caused. As soon as you made us aware, we investigated and confirmed that you will be refunded for the cost of the cancelled tickets. This promise still stands, and we are working to process it. 'We have never refused your refund, and at no point did we say we would not take responsibility. We understand the delay has caused frustration, and we truly are sorry.' The firm added that it remains a registered travel business and said: 'We have helped hundreds of families and couples travel to Disney, Asia, and beyond, and we take our reputation seriously. Our small team is still working through a backlog due to a recent internal change in management, but no one has been ignored or left behind intentionally, and every pending case is being resolved. 'We hope you will allow us to complete the process and make this right.'
