Nepal’s Kami Rita Sherpa Climbs Mt Everest For 32nd Time, Extends Own World Record

Nepal’s veteran mountaineer Kami Rita Sherpa on Sunday extended his own global record by successfully scaling Mount Everest for the 32nd time , further cementing his status as one of the most accomplished high-altitude climbers in the world.

The 56-year-old, popularly known as the “Everest Man,” reached the summit of the world’s highest peak, measuring 8,848.86 metres (29,032 feet) , at around 10:12 am, according to Nepal’s Department of Tourism. The climb was part of an expedition operated by 14 Peaks Expedition , which he was leading.

Officials confirmed the achievement through the department’s field office stationed at Everest Base Camp. The report was also carried by The Kathmandu Post, which noted that the ascent marks another milestone in Nepal’s long-standing dominance in Himalayan mountaineering.

Born in January 1970 in Thame village of Solukhumbu district in Koshi Province, Kami Rita Sherpa comes from a region widely known for producing elite climbers and expedition guides. He began his professional mountaineering career in 1992 and first summited Mount Everest in 1994 while working as a Sherpa guide.

Since then, his climbing career has spanned more than three decades, during which he has repeatedly returned to Everest, setting and repeatedly breaking his own record. He had previously climbed Everest twice each in 2023 and 2024. He completed his 31st ascent on May 27, 2025 , before achieving the latest record-breaking summit this year.

Between his numerous Everest ascents, Kami Rita has also climbed several other 8,000-metre peaks, including K2 and Lhotse once each, Manaslu three times, and Cho Oyu eight times , demonstrating extensive experience across some of the world’s most challenging mountain environments.

His latest ascent further strengthens Nepal’s reputation as a global hub for high-altitude mountaineering and highlights the continued dominance of Sherpa climbers in leading successful Everest expeditions.

In a parallel achievement on the same day, another prominent Nepali climber, Lhakpa Sherpa , also made history by extending her own record with her 11th successful ascent of Mount Everest . Known as the “Mountain Queen” and the first Nepali woman to summit Everest, she reached the top at around 9:30 am, according to the Department of Tourism.

The twin achievements were widely celebrated in Nepal’s mountaineering community. The Department of Tourism issued a statement congratulating both climbers, stating that their accomplishments reflect a significant contribution to Nepal’s mountaineering sector and enhance its international profile as a premier destination for Himalayan expeditions.

Prime Minister Balendra Shah also congratulated the climbers, calling their success a result of “unwavering courage, rigorous self-discipline, and honest dedication.” In a post on social media platform X, he described Mount Everest not merely as a geographical elevation but as a powerful symbol of Nepal’s identity, resilience, and Himalayan civilization.

He further praised the Sherpa community, describing them as “truly the unsung heroes of the Himalayas,” and emphasised that their knowledge, labour, and courage remain essential to every successful expedition. Without their contribution, he said, the glory of Himalayan climbing would remain incomplete.

The Prime Minister also expressed confidence that such historic achievements would enhance Nepal’s mountain tourism industry, making it more credible, prestigious, and attractive for international climbers, while further strengthening Nepal’s global identity.

Mount Everest, located on the Nepal-Tibet (China) border northeast of Kathmandu, was first successfully climbed on May 29, 1953, by New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Sherpa guide Tenzing Norgay. Since then, it has become the world’s most iconic peak, attracting thousands of climbers every year.

According to official data, more than 7,500 climbers have successfully summited Everest , while over 300 climbers have lost their lives in attempts to climb or descend the mountain due to extreme weather and hazardous terrain.

Kami Rita Sherpa’s latest record once again highlights both the enduring challenge of Everest and the extraordinary role of Sherpa climbers in shaping the history of Himalayan mountaineering.