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NDTV
2 days ago
- NDTV
In Pics: Nepal's Sherpa Guide Who Climbed Mount Everest For Record 31st Time
Kami Rita Sherpa, a famed Nepali mountain guide, completed his 31st climb of Mount Everest on Tuesday, breaking his own record for the most successful trips to the mountain's peak. For more than 30 years, Kami Rita, 55, has helped climbers from all over the world reach the top of the mountain. Kami Rita's monumental summit reflects the crucial role of the Sherpas - an ethnic group indigenous to the Himalayan region - in keeping foreign climbers safe during the weeks-long journey to the peak.
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First Post
3 days ago
- Sport
- First Post
After a record 31st time scaling Mt Everest, is Kami Rita Sherpa the greatest mountaineer of all time?
Kami Rita Sherpa has reached the summit of Mount Everest for a record 31st time, leading an Indian Army team to the top this month. With over three decades of climbing and a summit count unmatched in history, is the legendary Nepali guide now the greatest mountaineer the world has ever seen? read more Kami Rita Sherpa, a Nepali mountaineer, waves towards the media personnel upon his arrival after climbing Mount Everest for the 28th time, creating a new record for the most summits of the world's highest mountain, in Kathmandu, Nepal, May 25, 2023. File Image/Reuters In the early hours of May 27, 2025, at 4:00 am (local time), a legendary Sherpa guide once again stood at top of the world… quite literally. Kami Rita Sherpa, aged 55, reached the 8,849-meter summit of Mount Everest for a record-breaking 31st time, surpassing the record he himself had set last year. This milestone ascent was made while leading a team of 22 Indian Army personnel, accompanied by 27 other Sherpa guides, as part of an expedition organised by Seven Summit Treks. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Having turned back just days earlier due to adverse weather conditions, Kami Rita's successful climb marked a triumph of perseverance, expertise, and resilience — qualities that have defined his three-decade-long career in Himalayan mountaineering. Three decades at the roof of the world Born in the Solukhumbu district of Nepal, Kami Rita grew up in the shadow of the mountains. His father was among the early Sherpas to work as a mountain guide, laying the foundation for what would become a generational legacy. Kami Rita followed in his footsteps and embarked on his first successful Everest expedition in 1994, at the age of 24, as part of a commercial guiding mission. Since then, Kami Rita has scaled the world's tallest mountain almost every year, with the exception of three years when climbing was suspended due to natural disasters or administrative closures. In some years, he has completed the formidable climb twice within a single season — including in both 2023 and 2024. Beyond Everest, his mountaineering résumé includes K2, Lhotse, Manaslu and Cho Oyu — some of the most technically demanding and perilous peaks in the world. Each successful climb adds to a remarkable body of work that cements his status as one of the most experienced high-altitude guides in history. 'He is a very passionate climber,' said Pasang Phurba, director at Seven Summit Treks. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'He is not just a national climbing hero, but a global symbol of Everest itself,' the expedition agency added in a statement. Why Kami Rita's feats are extraordinary When measured cumulatively, Kami Rita's 31 ascents of Mount Everest represent an extraordinary feat of physical endurance and logistical precision. Based on Everest's current elevation of 8,849 meters (29,032 feet), his total vertical gain on this single mountain alone adds up to approximately 89,992 feet, or over 17 miles above sea level — equivalent to climbing into the Earth's stratosphere, according to NPR. This astounding statistic is not just a testament to his physical capabilities, but also to the mental strength required to operate in an oxygen-deprived, high-risk environment year after year. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Despite the fame and accolades that accompany his achievements, Kami Rita has consistently highlighted the functional nature of his work. 'I am glad for the record, but records are eventually broken,' he told AFP in May last year. 'I am more happy that my climbs help Nepal be recognised in the world.' Will anyone eclipse Kami Rita? As Kami Rita continues to push the boundaries of mountaineering, other Sherpas are also making their mark on the mountain. His closest peer in terms of summit count is Pasang Dawa Sherpa, who has climbed Everest 29 times. Pasang Dawa began summiting Everest a few years after Kami Rita but has also completed multiple double-summit seasons. A rising force in the Sherpa community is Tashi Gyalzen Sherpa, who accomplished a remarkable four ascents in just 15 days during this year's season, reported The Himalayan Times. At 29 years old and with eight Everest summits under his belt, he is fast becoming a mountaineer to watch. Another young climber making headlines is Nima Rinji Sherpa, who in 2023 became the youngest person to summit all 14 of the world's 8,000-meter peaks at just 18 years of age. Nima Rinji has expressed ambitions of completing future climbs without supplementary oxygen or fixed ropes — an effort to write his own chapter in mountaineering history. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Among international climbers, Kenton Cool, a British mountain guide, holds the record for most Everest summits by a non-Sherpa, with 19 successful ascents. Americans Dave Hahn and Garrett Madison are tied in second place among foreign climbers, each with 15 summits to their names. How Everest is getting crowded The 2025 spring climbing season has been especially intense. Nepal's Department of Tourism issued 468 climbing permits for Everest this year, slightly below the record 479 permits issued in 2023. When accounting for Sherpa guides — typically assigned on a one-to-one basis with clients — the number of people attempting to reach the summit this season has exceeded 1,000, reported The Kathmandu Post. Already, more than 500 climbers and their guides have successfully summitted Everest this spring, even as the season begins to wind down. Climbing activity is concentrated during the months of April and May, when the Himalayan weather allows for safer windows of opportunity. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Yet, increased footfall on the mountain has brought renewed concerns regarding overcrowding, waste management and the environmental impact on this fragile ecosystem. Last year, officials introduced a policy requiring climbers to collect their own excreta and return it to base camp for disposal — an unusual but necessary measure aimed at preserving the environment of Everest's higher camps. How mountaineering is a lifeline for Nepal's Sherpas Nepal is home to eight of the world's 14 highest peaks, and mountaineering plays a crucial role in the nation's economy. For Sherpas like Kami Rita, guiding expeditions is not just a passion but a livelihood. From Battlefields to #MountEverest- Every Mission Accomplished 22 Indian Army Mountaineers, under the leadership of Lieutenant Colonel Bhanoo Pathak, have today successfully scaled Mount Everest (8,848m) — a remarkable testament to grit, courage and indomitable spirit. Their… — ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) May 27, 2025 The seasonal climbing industry generates vital income for thousands of families in the highlands. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Despite the inherent risks, Sherpas continue to be the lifeblood of Himalayan climbing. They are responsible not only for guiding clients but also for carrying supplies, fixing ropes, and ensuring the safety of expeditions under extreme and unpredictable conditions. More than 8,000 people have now summitted Everest since it was first climbed by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay in 1953. Also Watch: With inputs from agencies
Dubai Eye
3 days ago
- Sport
- Dubai Eye
Nepali Sherpa scales Mount Everest for a record 31st time
File photo/AFP Nepali Sherpa guide Kami Rita scaled Mount Everest for the 31st time on Tuesday, breaking the record he set last year. The 55-year-old reached the 29,032 foot peak - the highest in the world - by the traditional southeast ridge route while guiding a 22-member Indian army team, officials said, adding that 27 other Sherpas also accompanied the group. "He is a very passionate climber," said Pasang Phurba, director of the Seven Summit Treks company for which Kami Rita works, adding that Rita was currently descending to lower camps. Rita first climbed Everest in 1994 and has done so every year except for three years when authorities closed the mountain to climbers for various reasons. More than 8,000 people have climbed Mount Everest since it was first scaled by New Zealander Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay in 1953. After Rita, another Sherpa, Pasang Dawa, has ascended Everest the most with 29 climbs. Among non-Sherpa climbers, the record is held by British guide Kenton Cool who has accomplished the feat 19 times, followed by American climbers Dave Hahn and Garrett Madison with 15 times each. One of the poorest countries in the world, Nepal is home to eight of the world's 14 highest peaks and is heavily reliant on climbing, trekking, and tourism for foreign exchange. Guiding foreign climbers to Everest and other peaks provides crucial family income to many Sherpas. Authorities have issued 468 permits to climbers for Everest this March-May climbing season, and more than 300 climbers and Sherpas have already scaled the peak, officials said. Two climbers are known to have died on the mountain this month and there have also been unconfirmed reports of other deaths.
Ammon
4 days ago
- Sport
- Ammon
Famed Sherpa guide climbs Mount Everest for the record 31st time
Ammon News - Famed Sherpa guide Kami Rita reached the summit of Mount Everest for the 31st time Tuesday, breaking his own record for the most climbs to the top of the world's highest Rita, 55, guided a group of clients reaching the summit in the early morning, according to Mingma Sherpa of the Kathmandu-based Seven Summits Treks. He was in good health and descending from the summit with other climbers to the base camp, he 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 had attempted to climb to the summit a few days ago but was forced to turn back due to bad 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-meter (29,032-foot) mountain each was first climbed in 1953 by New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Nepali Sherpa Tenzing Norgay. AP
North Wales Chronicle
4 days ago
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Famed Sherpa guide climbs Mount Everest for record 31st time
Kami Rita, 55, guided a group of clients reaching the summit in the early morning, according to Mingma Sherpa of the Kathmandu-based Seven Summits Treks. He was in good health and descending from the summit with other climbers to the base camp, he said. 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.
