6 months ago
21
NEW DELHI:
Kami Rita Sherpa
, a veteran Nepali climber, etched his name in the annals of mountaineering history on Wednesday by achieving his 30th ascent of
Mount Everest
, breaking his own
record
for the most climbs of the world's highest peak.
The 54-year-old guide, affectionately known as the "Everest Man," had previously reached the
summit
for the 29th time earlier in the month before embarking on his historic 30th ascent on Wednesday morning.
Confirming the achievement,
Mingma Sherpa
of Seven Summit Treks, Kami Rita's expedition organizer, said, "Kami Rita reached the summit this morning. Now he has made a new record with 30 summits of Everest."
Having served as a guide for over two decades, Sherpa first conquered the 8,849-meter (29,032-foot) peak in 1994 while working with a commercial expedition. Since then, he has consistently summited Everest almost every year, leading clients to the top.
Reflecting on his accomplishment after his 29th climb on May 12, Kami Rita remarked, "I am glad for the record, but records are eventually broken. I am more happy that my climbs help Nepal be recognized in the world."
Last year, Sherpa climbed Everest twice to reclaim his record after Pasang Dawa Sherpa, another guide, equaled his number of ascents.
Despite his remarkable achievements, Kami Rita has remained modest, stating that he has been "just working" and never aimed to set records. Alongside Everest, he has also conquered other 8,000-meter peaks, including K2 in Pakistan, the world's second-highest mountain.
However, amid Kami Rita's celebration, tragedy struck the mountain as the climbing season's toll rose to five with the death of Romanian climber Gabriel Viorel Tabara during an attempt to scale Lhotse, the fourth highest peak. Tabara was found dead in his tent at Camp Three, marking a somber reminder of the risks associated with high-altitude mountaineering.
Efforts are underway to recover Tabara's body, with Mohan Lamsal of Makalu Adventure confirming the unfortunate incident. Everest and Lhotse share the same route until diverging at 7,200 meters, highlighting the challenges and dangers inherent in these formidable Himalayan peaks.
