Nepali Duo Rewrite History on Everest with Record-Breaking Ascents

A pair of legendary Nepali climbers made history on Mount Everest, rewriting the record books with phenomenal individual feats. 

Mountaineer Kami Rita Sherpa, famously dubbed the "Everest Man," successfully scaled the world’s tallest peak for a record-extending 32nd time, while Lhakpa Sherpa shattered her own women's world record by completing her 11th successful summit.  

"This is another milestone in Nepal's mountaineering history," Himal Gautam, spokesperson for Nepal's Tourism Department, told AFP. He added, "Their record gives greater excitement to other climbers. 

By breaking records through healthy competition on Everest, will help make climbing safer, more dignified, and better managed."

The 56-year-old Kami Rita Sherpa first stood atop the 8,849-metre (29,032-foot) peak in 1994 while working for a commercial expedition. 

Since that initial climb, he has returned to conquer Everest almost every year, leading and guiding international clients. 

Despite his unparalleled achievement, Kami Rita remains remarkably humble about his accolades. 

Speaking in 2024 after another successful ascent, he stated that he was "just working" and did not plan on setting records.  

Simultaneously, 52-year-old Lhakpa Sherpa, widely celebrated as the "Mountain Queen," further solidified her legacy.

She first stood on the top of Everest in 2000, etching her name in history as the first Nepali woman to successfully summit and safely descend the treacherous peak.  

Since Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa made the historic first ascent in 1953, a massive climbing boom has transformed high-altitude mountaineering into a highly lucrative business. 

Underscoring the industry's massive growth, Nepal issued a record 492 Everest permits for this season alone, creating a vast city of tents at the foot of the mountain to accommodate climbers and their vital support staff.

Because the vast majority of foreign mountaineers attempt the grueling ascent with the assistance of at least one local Nepali guide, roughly a thousand climbers are projected to head for the summit over the next few days. 

However, these exceptionally high numbers have rekindled serious concerns regarding severe overcrowding on the mountain, a danger that could intensify significantly if poor weather conditions compress the available climbing window.

Source: AFP