Kami Rita breaks own record with 31st Everest summit
- Kami Rita Sherpa reached the summit of Mount Everest for the 31st time, breaking his own record.
- He has consistently climbed Everest nearly every year since his first ascent in 1994.
- This achievement highlights his significance as a national and global symbol of Everest.
In Kathmandu, Nepal, Kami Rita Sherpa, a renowned Sherpa guide, achieved a remarkable feat by reaching the summit of Mount Everest for the 31st time on May 7, 2024. This climb broke his own previous record, solidifying his status as the individual with the most ascents of the world's highest mountain. At 55 years old, Kami Rita's journey to the summit was part of his routine guiding expeditions where he assists climbers, including a group of Indian army officials during this ascent. His consistent summiting of Everest since first climbing it in 1994 exemplifies his dedication and expertise in high-altitude mountaineering. The Kathmandu-based Seven Summit Treks organised this successful expedition and confirmed that Kami Rita was in good health while descending from the peak. Over the years, he has made climbing Everest a yearly event, often summiting multiple times within the same climbing season. His closest rival, fellow Sherpa Pasang Dawa, has reached the summit 29 times, highlighting the competitive nature among Sherpa guides on Everest. Yet, Kami Rita maintains a professional outlook on his climbs, stating that records are ultimately broken and expressing greater satisfaction in how his achievements promote Nepal internationally. A week prior to Kami Rita's ascent, British mountaineer Kenton Cool summited Everest for the 19th time, also setting a record for the most climbs by a non-Sherpa climber. This success comes amid a rise in climbing activities in Nepal, where more than 500 climbers, along with their guides, successfully reached Everest this season. The significant increase in climbing attempts over recent years has led to discussions regarding overcrowding and environmental consequences, prompting new regulations designed to ensure climbers are responsible for their waste. The 2024 climbing season witnessed Nepali authorities issue over 1,000 climbing permits for Everest and other peaks, reflecting the growing popularity of mountaineering in the region. Among the most notable traditions observed before these climbs is the Puja ceremony, a Tibetan Buddhist ritual that Kami Rita has shared with followers, showcasing the spiritual significance behind these expeditions to the mountain. His father's legacy as one of the first Sherpa mountain guides fosters a sense of pride and history in his comprehensive climbing career.