On Tuesday, at 04:00 local time, Nepali Sherpa Kami Rita, dubbed “Everest Man,” etched his name deeper into mountaineering history by summiting Mount Everest for a record-breaking 31st time. 

Guiding Indian army officials to the 8,894-meter peak, the 55-year-old surpassed his own milestone, cementing his legacy as the world’s most prolific Everest climber.

Seven Summit Treks, the expedition’s organizer, hailed Kami Rita as “a global symbol of Everest’s spirit,” celebrating his unparalleled achievement. 

Since his first ascent in 1994 with a commercial expedition, Kami Rita has summited nearly every year, sometimes twice annually, as seen in 2023 and 2024. 

His closest rival, fellow Sherpa Pasang Dawa, trails with 29 climbs, his latest just last week.

For Kami Rita, climbing is more than records—it’s his livelihood and a source of national pride. “Records get broken, but I’m proud my climbs spotlight Nepal globally,” he told AFP last year. 

This month, he shared glimpses of Everest life, including a Puja ceremony, a Tibetan Buddhist ritual blessing climbers for safety.

His feat follows British climber Kenton Cool’s 19th Everest summit, a non-Sherpa record, achieved a week earlier. This season, over 500 climbers and guides conquered Everest, fueled by Nepal’s issuance of over 1,000 permits for various peaks. 

However, the surge in ascents has sparked concerns over overcrowding and environmental degradation. Last year, Nepal mandated climbers to remove their waste, including human excrement, to preserve the mountain’s fragile ecosystem.

Kami Rita’s 31st summit is a testament to human endurance and Sherpa resilience, but it also underscores the challenges of balancing adventure with Everest’s sustainability. 

His journey continues to inspire, proving that even the world’s highest peak bows to determination.

Source: BBC

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