Kami Rita Sherpa Achieves 31st Summit of Mount Everest, Sets New Record

In a historic achievement, Kami Rita Sherpa, recognized globally as "Everest Man," has made his way to the summit of Mount Everest for the 31st time, breaking his own record for the most ascents of the world's highest peak. At 55 years old, Sherpa reached the 8,849-meter peak early Tuesday morning while leading a group of Indian army officials. His journey to fame began in 1994, when he first summited Everest, and he has maintained a remarkable track record, climbing the peak nearly every year, with multiple ascents in certain years like 2023 and 2024.

His closest rival for the title, fellow Nepali Pasang Dawa, holds 29 successful summits, the latest of which occurred just last week. Despite the thrill of the record, Sherpa remains grounded in his work, emphasizing the importance of Nepal's recognition on a global stage through his climbs. Recently, he shared moments from his expeditions on social media, including the traditional Puja ceremony, which is performed to ensure a safe journey on the mountain. The current climbing season has seen over 500 climbers reach the summit, exacerbating concerns about crowding and environmental issues, leading to new regulations regarding waste disposal on the mountain. As Nepal issued more than 1,000 climbing permits this season alone, the rise in Everest interests continues to draw attention for both its allure and the challenges it presents.