Nepali Sherpa climber Kami Rita has achieved a remarkable feat, scaling Mount Everest for the 29th time. Surpassing his own record of 28 ascents, Kami Rita now holds the prestigious title for the most ascents of the world’s tallest peak in its 71-year climbing history.
Born into the Sherpa community at the foothills of Everest, Kami Rita began his journey as a porter before transitioning into a seasoned climbing guide. His passion for conquering Everest sparked in 1994 when he completed his first ascent at the age of 24.
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Kami Rita has consistently summited Everest nearly every year since his inaugural climb, totaling 29 ascents to date.
Despite challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to the closure of Everest’s south side in 2020, Kami Rita persevered, achieving his 25th summit in May 2021 when a partial reopening allowed climbers to return.
Kami Rita reached a milestone by completing his 27th ascent, tying the record with fellow guide Pasang Dawa Sherpa, in 2023. Demonstrating his unparalleled dedication, he surpassed this record within the same year, reaching his 28th summit by May 2023.
Kami Rita’s latest accomplishment comes as he embarked on the Spring Season Everest expedition from Kathmandu, leading a team of approximately 28 climbers. Organized by Seven Summit Treks, the expedition aimed to conquer the formidable peak and further cement Kami Rita’s legacy as the ‘Everest man.’
Mount Everest, known as Sagarmatha in Nepal, stands tall at 8,848.86 meters above sea level, making it the tallest mountain peak on Earth.
Recent joint efforts between Chinese and Nepalese land surveyors in 2020 reported a slight increase in Everest’s height from the previously recorded 8,848 meters, as determined by the Survey of India in 1954.
The significance of Everest transcends its towering height, as it symbolizes the indomitable spirit of human endeavor. On May 29, 1953, New Zealand’s Edmund Hillary and Nepali Sherpa Tenzing Norgay etched their names in history as the first to reach the summit, paving the way for future generations of climbers like Kami Rita to push the boundaries of what is possible.
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