Kami Rita Sherpa Ascends Everest for the 31st Time, Setting New Record

Kami Rita Sherpa, celebrated as "Everest Man," has once again broken records by scaling Mount Everest for the 31st time, guiding a group of Indian officials to the summit on Tuesday.

Nepali sherpa Kami Rita, also known as the "Everest Man," has made history by reaching the summit of Mount Everest for an astounding 31st time, surpassing his previous record for the most ascents of the world's highest peak. The 55-year-old climber guided a team of Indian army officials to the 8,894-meter summit at 04:00 local time on Tuesday, marking an achievement that once again highlights his unparalleled dedication and skill.

Expedition organiser Seven Summit Treks hailed Kami Rita as "not just a national climbing hero but a global symbol of Everest itself." His climbing journey began in 1994 when he first summited Everest while guiding a commercial group, and he has consistently returned to the peak nearly every year—sometimes twice in a single year, including 2023.

Currently, his closest rival for the Everest record, fellow Nepali sherpa Pasang Dawa, has ascended the mountain 29 times, with his most recent attempt occurring just last week. Commenting on his accomplishment, Kami Rita has expressed that while he is pleased with the record, he values the recognition it brings to Nepal more highly. “I am glad for the record, but records are eventually broken,” he stated to AFP in an interview last year.

His recent expeditions also included sharing glimpses of life on Everest, such as documenting the traditional Puja ceremony—a Tibetan Buddhist ritual performed prior to climbs to ensure safety and success. Just a week prior to Kami Rita's latest ascent, British mountaineer Kenton Cool also achieved a personal milestone by summiting Everest for the 19th time, setting a record for climbers not from the Sherpa community.

This climbing season has witnessed over 500 successful summits of Everest, as Nepal has issued more than 1,000 climbing permits for various peaks. However, a surge in summit attempts raises concerns about overcrowding and environmental degradation. In response, authorities have implemented measures requiring climbers to take their waste back to base camp for proper disposal, highlighting a growing need for sustainability amid the rising popularity of high-altitude expeditions.