Renowned mountain guide Kami Rita Sherpa is embarking on yet another journey to conquer Mount Everest, aiming for what could be his 29th successful summit.
In a recent conversation, the 54-year-old Kami Rita hinted at the possibility of attempting his 29th ascent, but kept the details under wraps, leaving suspense about whether he will climb once or twice this season and the team he will lead.
Should Kami Rita achieve this feat, it would mark his 29th triumphant climb of the world’s tallest peak, surpassing his own record. Last year, he made headlines by conquering Everest twice within a single season – first, while fixing ropes, and later guiding an American team, including US-based Vietnamese billionaire Chinh Chu, to the summit.
Kami Rita holds the prestigious Guinness World Record with 28 summits of Everest, closely followed by fellow Sherpa Pasang Dawa Sherpa, who boasts 27 ascents. Pasang Dawa, aged 46 and also from the Khumbu region, shares Kami Rita’s competitive spirit, having climbed Everest twice last year. With youth on his side, Pasang Dawa may well challenge Kami Rita’s record in the coming years.
Kami Rita’s journey began in 1994 when, at the age of 24, he conquered Everest for the first time. Hailing from the Thame village in Solukhumbu district, he began his career as a porter before ascending to become a respected climbing guide.
The ongoing spring climbing season has seen a surge in climbers, with at least 274 obtaining permits to ascend Everest from the Nepal side. This increase is attributed to a higher number of Chinese climbers and others rushing to summit before Nepal’s decision to raise permit fees from $11,000 to $15,000 starting from the 2025 spring season.
