Nepali Sherpa Kami Rita climbed Mount Everest for the 31st time and broke his own record for the most climbs up the world’s tallest peak. The 55-year-old ‘Everest man’ was guiding a group of Indian Army officials up the mountain when he reached the top at 8,849 m at 04:00 local time on Tuesday.

“Kami Rita Sherpa needs no introduction. He is not just a national climbing hero, but a global symbol of Everest itself,” said expedition organiser Seven Summit Treks in a statement to international press.

Everest man first climbed Mount Everest in 1994, while guiding a commercial expedition. Since then, he has made it to the peak almost every year. Like in 2023 and 2024, he climbed the mountain even twice a year.

“I am glad for the record, but records are eventually broken,” Sherpa told international media in May last year, “I am more happy that my clients help Nepal be recognised in the world.”

Visitors to Everest

More than 500 people, along with their guides, have climbed Mount Everest situated in Nepal successfully within this climbing year, which is almost nearing its end. While Nepal issued more than 1,000 climbing permits this season, which includes Everest and several other peaks, according to the country’s tourist department.

The number of Everest summits has also soared in recent years, but still, there is a lot of concern around overcrowding and environmental impact. Regarding the same, the authorities last year introduced a rule requiring climbers to clean up their own poop and bring it back to base camp to be disposed of.