KATHMANDU – Renowned climbing guide Kami Rita Sherpa has reached the summit of Mount Everest for the 27th time, breaking his own record for the most successful ascents of the world's highest peak, which he shared with a fellow guide for less than a week.
The 53-year-old summited on Wednesday morning while guiding an expedition organised by adventure operator Seven Summit Treks, Khimlal Gautam, a government liaison officer who is currently at Everest base camp, told German news agency (dpa).
Seven Summit Treks also confirmed the ascent separately, saying that the guide reached the summit at 8.30am.
Kami's ascent comes just a few days after fellow guide Pasang Dawa Sherpa, 46, equalised his record of 26 successful ascents. Pasang Dawa is planning to climb once again like he did last year, according to sources.
Born in the foothills of Everest to the ethnic Sherpa community, Kami started his career as a porter before becoming a climbing guide. He has scaled Everest almost every year since his first successful ascent in 1994, according to the Guinness Book of World Records.
Sherpas' mountaineering expertise and local knowledge is critical to the safe passage of the hundreds of climbers who go up Everest every year.
According to Gautam, more than 250 people have summited the peak in the ongoing spring season. Nepal has issued permits to 478 climbers excluding local guides.
"Based on the information we have received so far, at least 100 climbers have summited Everest today," Gautam told dpa on Wednesday morning.
Nepal is home to eight of the world's 14 highest peaks, all above 8,000m. – Bernama, May 17, 2023
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