Sherpa scales Everest for record 31st time

Kami Rita Sherpa first climbed Everest in 1994 and has done so every year except for three when...
Kami Rita Sherpa first climbed Everest in 1994 and has done so every year except for three when authorities closed the mountain for various reasons. Photo: Reuters
Nepali Sherpa guide Kami Rita has scaled Mount Everest for the 31st time, breaking the record he set last year.

The 55-year-old reached the 8849-metre (29,032 ft) peak - the highest in the world - by the traditional southeast ridge route on Tuesday 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 Kami Rita was descending to lower camps.

Kami Rita, who uses only his first name, 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 8000 people have climbed Mount Everest since it was first scaled by New Zealander Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay in 1953.

After Kami Rita, another Sherpa, Pasang Dawa, has ascended Everest the most with 29 climbs.

More than 8000 people have climbed Mount Everest since it was first scaled by New Zealander Sir...
More than 8000 people have climbed Mount Everest since it was first scaled by New Zealander Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay in 1953. Photo: Getty Images
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.