Today, on the morning of 27th May 2025, Kami Rita Sherpa once again made history, reaching the summit of Mount Everest for the 31st time, extending his own world record for the most ascents to the top of the world.
Born on 17th January 1970 in Thame Village, nestled in Nepal’s Solu Khumbu region, Kami Rita grew up in the shadow of Everest. Thame is no stranger to legends; it was also the home of the iconic Tenzing Norgay, who, with Sir Edmund Hillary, was first to stand atop Everest in 1953. Following in the footsteps of his forebears, Kami Rita has spent decades etching his name into mountaineering history.
A Career Etched in Ice and Stone
Kami Rita first summited Everest on 13th May 1994 during a commercial expedition. Since then, he has guided countless climbers to the summit and scaled five 8,000-meter peaks an astonishing 44 times, including the formidable K2 in Pakistan, the world’s second-highest mountain.
He currently holds the Guinness World Record for the most Everest summits, a record he has repeatedly pushed further. In May 2023, he summited Everest twice within a week, reaching his 27th and 28th successful ascents. By May 2024, he was at 30 summits — and today, at 31.
Humble Roots, Soaring Heights
The mountains are in Kami Rita’s blood. His father was among the first generation of professional Sherpa guides following Everest’s opening to foreign climbers in 1950. His brother, Lakpa Rita Sherpa, has also scaled Everest an impressive 17 times. Yet despite these staggering accomplishments, Kami Rita has remained grounded, emphasizing respect and humility toward Chomolungma — the Sherpa name for Everest, believed to be the abode of a goddess.
“Months before I begin an ascent, I start worshiping and asking for her forgiveness because I have to put my feet on her body,” Kami Rita shared. “Right before the final steps to the summit, others run to take photos, but I bow my head again and ask for her forgiveness.”
His reverence for the mountains extends beyond rituals. For Kami Rita, climbing has never been about fame or records. In an interview with the BBC, he confessed:
“I never thought about making records. I actually didn’t know that you could make a record. Had I known, I would have done a lot more summits earlier.”
At 55 years old, Kami Rita still feels strong and confident in his abilities. “I am healthy. I can go until I am 60 years old. With oxygen, it’s no big deal; we were born in the Himalayas,” he said.
Kami Rita Sherpa’s Everest Journey
Here’s a look back at Kami Rita’s incredible Everest milestones:
- 1994 – 13th May: First summit via SE Ridge
- 1997-2013 – Summits almost every year via SE Ridge
- 2015 – Expedition canceled due to the earthquake
- 2016 – NE Ridge summit
- 2017-2019 – Annual summits, including double summits in 2019
- 2021 – 25th summit
- 2022 – 26th summit
- 2023 – 27th and 28th summits
- 2024 – 29th and 30th summits
- 2025 – 31st summit
Beyond Everest
Kami Rita’s achievements extend beyond the world’s highest peak. He has successfully scaled:
- Cho-Oyu — 8 times
- Manaslu — 3 times
- Lhotse — 1 time
- K2 — 1 time
Each climb reflects not just physical endurance but spiritual resilience, discipline, and profound respect for the mountains.
The Legend Continues
Kami Rita Sherpa is not merely a record holder; he’s an inspiration. His unwavering commitment to guiding, his humility in the face of towering peaks, and his reverence for the mountain gods make him a true hero of the Himalayas.
As he adds yet another summit to his legendary career, the world watches in awe and anticipation — how many more will there be?
Congratulations to Kami Rita Sherpa — the man who has shown us that the sky is not the limit; it’s just the beginning.
Pic Credit: Instagram of Kami Rita Sherpa
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