Kami Rita Sherpa Sets New World Record with 31st Ascent of Mount Everest

Kathmandu — Nepali climber Kami Rita Sherpa has broken his own record by successfully summiting Mount Everest for the 31st time on Tuesday morning. This marks a new world record.

Last year, Kami Rita had climbed Everest for the 29th time on Baisakh 30, 2081 (May 13, 2024), and just ten days later, for the 30th time on Jestha 9 (May 23, 2024)—establishing himself as the only person in the world to have set foot on Everest the most times.

“The Everest Man has done it again! Kami Rita Sherpa summited Everest for the 31st time,” wrote Chhang Dawa Sherpa, director of Seven Summit Treks, on Facebook. “Congratulations to 55-year-old Kami Rita Sherpa for this historic achievement. Wishing him continued success on his journey with Seven Summit Treks.” Kami Rita reached the summit at 4:00 a.m. Tuesday morning. He was leading a team of 22 Indian Army personnel as the chief guide. He is expected to return to Everest Base Camp (5,200 meters) by tomorrow morning and then fly back to Kathmandu by helicopter.

Kami Rita, who now lives in Kathmandu with his wife and two children, began his mountaineering career at the age of 12. Originally from Thame, Solukhumbu, he summited Everest for the first time in 1994 (2051 B.S.) at the age of 24.

Since then, he has climbed not only Everest but also other 8,000-meter peaks like K2, Manaslu, and Lhotse, with a total of 45 ascents of such high mountains. He has summited Everest five times in a single climbing season.