‘Everest Man’ Kami Rita Sherpa sets new world record on Mount Everest

In a historic moment on Tuesday, 55-year-old Nepali climber Kami Rita Sherpa reached the summit of Mount Everest for the 31st time, breaking his own world record and reaffirming his title as the "Everest Man."

The seasoned mountaineer first conquered the world’s tallest peak in 1994 while working for a commercial expedition.

Since then, he has returned almost every year, guiding climbers to the top of the 8,849-metre (29,032-foot) mountain.

"Massive congratulations to the legendary Kami Rita Sherpa on his 31st successful ascent of Everest – the highest number of ascents by anyone in history," said a statement from expedition organisers, Seven Summit Treks.

“Kami Rita Sherpa needs no introduction. He is not just a national climbing hero, but a global symbol of Everest itself,” the statement added.

Last year, after completing his 29th and 30th climbs, Sherpa said, "I am glad for the record, but records are eventually broken. I am more happy that my climbs help Nepal be recognised in the world."

His latest ascent was completed as the leader of the Indian army team. Seven Summit Treks said he "not only reached the summit himself, but also led and guided the last remaining members of the team to the top."

The record comes as the spring climbing season nears its end. Over 500 climbers and their guides have already reached the summit this year, benefiting from short windows of favorable weather.

Nepal's tourism department reported that the 2025 season has recorded the fewest number of deaths on Everest in recent years. So far, only two climbers—a Filipino and an Indian—have died at high-altitude camps.

Nepal, home to eight of the world’s ten highest peaks, issued more than 1,100 mountaineering permits this season, including 458 for Everest alone.

The government has earned more than $5 million (Sh642.6 billion) in royalties from these permits.

Earlier this month, British climber Kenton Cool made his 19th successful ascent of Everest, extending his own record for non-Nepali climbers.

Tourism ministry official Himal Gautam praised Sherpa's success, saying, "Kami Rita Sherpa's record ascent has helped to take Nepal's mountaineering sector to the next height."

Since the first summit by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa in 1953, Everest has drawn hundreds of adventurers each spring, with mountaineering now a thriving part of Nepal’s economy.

Last year, more than 800 climbers reached the peak, including 74 from the northern Tibet side.