6 months ago
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Rita, known as the 'Everest Man', has previously said he was "just working" and did not plan on setting records. "I am glad for the record, but records are eventually broken," he told AFP after his 29th climb. "I am more happy my climbs help Nepal be recognised in the world." But celebrations were overshadowed after a Romanian was confirmed dead, and a British climber and Nepali guide were reported missing - the latest casualties highlighting the risks of the sport.
KATHMANDU: Renowned
Sherpa
mountain guide Kami Rita scaled
Mount Everest
for a record
30th time
on Wednesday, completing his second
climb
this month to the top of the world. Rita, 55, reached the 8,849m summit at 7.49am, according to Khim Lal Gautam, a govt official at base camp. His first ascent this season was on May 12 guiding foreign clients.
Rita, known as the 'Everest Man', has previously said he was "just working" and did not plan on setting records.
"I am glad for the record, but records are eventually broken," he told AFP after his 29th climb. "I am more happy my climbs help Nepal be recognised in the world." But celebrations were overshadowed after a Romanian was confirmed dead, and a British climber and Nepali guide were reported missing - the latest casualties highlighting the risks of the sport.
"He is in good health and happy to have achieved this record," said Mingma Sherpa of the expedition Seven Summits Treks, which organised the trek. They were able to briefly speak to him while he was on the summit and was in good health condition, Mingma said.
Mingma confirmed Rita would not be climbing again this season and will likely travel home in the next few days.
Rita also climbed Everest twice last year, setting the
record
for most climbs of the world's highest mountain on the first and extending it less than a week later. His closest competitor for the most climbs of Everest is fellow guide Pasang Dawa, who has 27 successful ascents of the mountain.
Rita 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 each year of foreign climbers who seek to stand on top of the mountain. His father was among the first Sherpa guides. In addition to his Everest climbs, Rita has scaled several other peaks that are among the world's highest, including K2, Cho Oyu, Manaslu and Lhotse.
Officials said over 450 climbers have already scaled Mount Everest from the Nepali side this climbing season, which ends in a few days.
