Sherpa guide to climb Mount Everest for 31st time and break his own record
One of the greatest mountain guides will attempt to scale the world's highest peak for the 31st time - and possibly the 32nd time as well - and break his own record.
Kami Rita, 55, flew to Mount Everest on Sunday from Kathmandu to lead a group of climbers who will try to reach the 8,849-metre summit during the spring climbing season.
'I am mentally, emotionally and physically prepared to climb the mountain,' Kami Rita told The Associated Press at Kathmandu's airport. 'I am in my top physical condition right now.'
He holds the record for the most successful ascents of Mount Everest at 30 times. In May last year he climbed the peak twice.
'My first priority is to get my client to the summit of the peak. Then I will decide on whether I will climb the peak more than one time during the season. It depends on the weather and conditions on the mountain,' he said.
His closest competitor for the most climbs of Mount Everest is fellow Sherpa guide Pasang Dawa, who has made 27 successful ascents of the mountain.
Kami Rita 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 each year of foreign climbers aspiring to stand on top of the mountain.
His father was among the first Sherpa mountain guides. In addition to his Everest climbs, Kami Rita has scaled several other peaks that are among the world's highest, including K2, Cho Oyu, Manaslu and Lhotse.
According to Nepal's Department of Tourism, 214 climbers have been issued permits to attempt Mount Everest from the Nepali side of the peak in the south this climbing season, which ends in May. Most climbing of Everest and nearby Himalayan peaks is done in April and May, when weather conditions are most favourable.
Everest was first climbed in 1953 by New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Nepali Sherpa Tenzing Norgay.
Associated Press
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Gulf Today
2 hours ago
- Gulf Today
Pilgrims seek forgiveness and shade on Mount Arafat during key Hajj ritual
Tens of thousands of Muslim pilgrims clambered up rocks and nestled between boulders on Thursday as they embarked on a day of worship under a scorching sun at the Hajj in Saudi Arabia. Braving the heat and uneven surfaces, they scaled Mount Arafat to perform a key ritual of the annual Islamic pilgrimage. They opened their arms in prayer, smartphones and hearts raised, as outsized fans sprayed fine mists of water to cool them during their long hours of worship. Pilgrims must remain in Arafat until sunset. Temperatures exceeded 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). Away from the worship, an ice cream kiosk nearby provided some relief. Salem Naji Ahmed, from Yemen, travelled four days overland to neighbouring Saudi Arabia because he couldn't afford the flight. A Muslim pilgrim prays at Jabal Al Rahmah, also known as Mount Arafat, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Reuters "These sacred feelings are the most luxurious and best thing about Arafat,' he told The Associated Press. "We came from Yemen, four days and nights. It was very tiring, but we came to please Allah and perform one of his obligations in the holy sites and in the best area on earth.' The rocky hill holds immense significance in Islam. Arafat is mentioned in the Holy Quran and it is where the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is said to have given his last sermon on his final Hajj. Muslim pilgrims pray at dawn on Mount Arafat. AFP According to traditional sayings of the prophet, the Day of Arafat is the most sacred day of the year, when God draws near to the faithful and forgives their sins. Hatem Salem, from Egypt, said: "We cannot express the feeling. We feel the best at the holy sites with a humble heart and faith." Hajj is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, a religious obligation involving rituals and acts of worship that every Muslim must fulfil if they have the money and are physically able to do it. The authorities have not disclosed the total number of pilgrims at this year's Hajj. Earlier, they said more than 1.5 million foreigners were participating. Last year, there were 1,611,310 pilgrims from outside the country. Associated Press
Gulf Today
a day ago
- Gulf Today
Philippines, a top wellness haven for Mideast travellers
Medical and wellness tourism, anchored on the provision and delivery of holistic approaches against chronic diseases, have improved in the Philippines, according to a Florida-based non-profit research organisation. According to the Philippines' Department of Tourism (DoT), in a consequent email interview, initiatives such as overseas presence of the tropical country as a prime medical and wellness tourism destination shall continue. For the first time, it was in April 2024, when the DoT led a public-private delegation, consisting of hospital-dental-wellness facilities and health tourism facilitator for the 'health sales mission' to the UAE (Abu Dhabi and Dubai) and Saudi Arabia (Riyadh). DoT-Office of Product and Market Development director Dr Paulo Benito Tugbang, physician/nurse/midwife, who used to be responsible for the Department of Health-Medical Travel and Wellness Tourism Programme as well as former Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases member, then said that the purpose was to encourage Middle East travel trade professionals consider the medical and wellness offerings of the Philippines, inasmuch as Filipino healthcare workers have been admired for their dedication and commitment. Again, with the purpose of capturing the Arab Market, known for their 'culture of medical travel,' DoT partnered with the Dubai-based Agora Group management firm for the Philippine participation at the June 2023 '1st International Health and Wellness Tourism Congress in Dusseldorf, Germany. This was followed by the October 2024 Philippine-hosting of the second edition of the international event in Taguig City, Metro Manila. Moreover, DoT signed a five-year deal with Thailand, internationally recognised for its medical tourism portfolio in January 2025, covering the areas of tourism cooperation, exchange of best practices, and human resources development. It participated in the May 2024 International Wellness Tourism Expo in Tokyo, Japan. It also had embarked on other 'strategic activities' in Singapore and Malaysia 'with potential industry partners' so that the Philippines would be in 'the radar of regional and international community.' These, as encapsulated in the National Tourism Development Plan 2022-2028 of the Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Administration, shall be the continuous enhancement of healthcare accessibility, promotion of sustainable tourism practices, and delivery of world-class experiences, for the locals and foreign visitors alike. It was a fortnight back when Gulf Today received a press release concerning 'The Global Wellness Economy: The Philippines.' The assessment revealed that 'the country's wellness market' with 11 sectors responsible for the delivery of products and services for one's health and wellness had expanded 21 per cent from $35.8 billion to $43.3 billion between 2019 and 2023. The press release quoted chairperson and chief executive officer Susie Ellis, of the Global Wellness Institute (GWI), into the awareness and education campaign for the necessary lifestyle changes against non-communicable diseases prevalent worldwide: 'The Philippines has a thriving wellness economy, and we are thrilled that its DoT has continued their partnership with us for this deep dive into the data that really showcase where the growth and potential lies.' 'Blessed with natural wonders, the Philippines is an ideal destination for nature-based wellness and relaxation, and the authentic Filipino wellness offerings mean that the country has something truly unique to share with the world,' Ellis also said. In the country assessment and compared with 217 countries and territories, GWI had quantified, that from 2022 to 2023 alone, six of 11 health and wellness economy sectors in the Philippines posted double digit annual growth rates relative to the global market size served. From 10.2 % in the mental wellness: services, therapies, resources to 61.4 % in wellness tourism: enriching travel for personal well-being. In between were the sectors of public health, prevention and preventive medicine (13.3 %), wellness real estate/health and wellness living spaces (14.0 %), thermal/mineral springs (15.3 %) and spas (19.2 %). Overall, GWI concluded that in terms of health and wellness tourism in 2023, the Philippines ranked eighth among 45 in the Asia-Pacific Region, and 23rd of 218 worldwide: 'The wellness industry is a major contributor to the Philippines' overall economy contributing 9.9 % to the gross domestic product in 2023; 12th worldwide.'
Gulf Today
5 days ago
- Gulf Today
Turkey will fine passengers who unbuckle before plane stops
Passengers on flights to Turkey who unbuckle their seat belts, enter an aisle or open overhead compartments before their plane has stopped taxiing upon arrival are eligible for fines under new regulations issued by the country's civil aviation authority. Under the updated rules, commercial airlines operating flights in Turkey are required to revise their standard in-flight announcements telling passengers to remain seated with seat belts fastened until the aircraft has reached a gate or other final stopping point. Airlines now need to warn that violations of the procedure will be documented and reported, according to a circular issued by the Turkish Directorate of Civil Aviation. The announcements also are supposed to remind passengers to let the people sitting in the rows ahead of them exit first. Turkish media reports have said rule-breakers could be fined up to $70. The civil aviation directorate did not specify the amount but said it updated the regulations following passenger complaints and flight inspections that indicated a growing number of safety violations. "Despite announcements informing passengers of the rules, many are standing up before the aircraft reaches its parking positions and before the seat belt sign is turned off,' the directorate said. "This behavior compromises the safety of passengers and baggage, disregards the satisfaction and exit priority of other travellers." Passengers who race to stand up and grab their possessions the second the seat-belt light goes off — often referred to as "aisle rushers' or worse — are the bane of many travelers. Many countries have regulations to deter unruly passengers, and most have regulations requiring people to follow instructions for when to stay buckled up. However, Turkey's threat of financial repercussions for post-landing misbehavior is unusual enough to have attracted notice. The regulations took effect earlier this month. There have been no immediate reports about people getting fined or airlines enforcing the regulations by reporting violators. Turkey is a popular travel destination that draws millions of tourists every year. The Associated Press reached out to Turkish Airlines and Pegasus Airlines, a low-cost carrier also based in Turkey, for comment on Tuesday. In the US, Federal Aviation Administration regulations require passengers to have their seat belts "properly secured during taxiing, takeoff, landing, and any other time when instructed to by crewmembers,' the agency confirmed via email. A failure to obey safety instructions can result in a hefty civil penalty. But reports of the FAA and other aviation agencies actually fining passengers for not wearing their seat belts are rare - and, if such enforcement is taken, it's usually paired with additional "unruly' behavior. In 2021, for instance, the FAA proposed a $14,000 civil fine for an Endeavor Airlines passenger who allegedly unfastened her seat belt while the "fasten seat belt' sign was illuminated and also refused to wear a mask properly despite repeated instructions from flight attendants. Aviation agencies worldwide reported a concerning uptick in disruptive passenger behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic, largely due to travelers who refused to follow mask policies. As incidents skyrocketed in 2021, the FAA implemented a "zero-tolerance policy' of issuing fines instead of giving unruly passengers warning letters or the option of remedial counseling. These days, unruly passengers can face FAA fines of up to $37,000 per incident as well as criminal prosecution, the agency said via email. Airlines, aviation regulators and safety organizations alike have long-expressed the importance of remaining seated wearing a seat belt while a plane is in motion to avoid injuries from in-flight disruptions like turbulence. After a plane lands, passengers are at risk of falling or other injuries if they stand and attempt to move while the aircraft taxis to the gate. Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA - a union representing more than 55,000 flight attendants - reiterated that passengers must remain seated with their belts fastened when a plane is on an active runway and until it comes to a complete stop. She again pointed to the consequences of failing to comply under US aviation regulations. "Listen to your flight attendants and follow crewmember instructions to get to your destination safely and to avoid unnecessary delay," Nelson said in a statement. Associated Press
