Sherpa from Nepal Climbs Everest for Record 30th Time, While 2 Other Climbers Reported Missing

KATHMANDU—A Nepali sherpa guide reached the summit of Mount Everest for the 30th time, setting a new record on Wednesday, as two climbers went missing while descending from the world’s tallest peak.

It is highly uncommon for mountaineers to make multiple ascents in a short time frame, considering ordinary climbers take several days to climb the summit of Everest.

At 54 years old, Kami Rita Sherpa achieved this milestone by following the traditional southeast ridge route to climb the 8,849-metre (29,032-foot) peak, according to Nepali tourism official Khim Lal Gautam.

Having reached the summit for the 29th time on May 12, Kami Rita now holds the record for the most ascents of Mount Everest, breaking his own previous record.

Nepal tourism officials reported that a British climber and a Nepali guide were missing since Tuesday after slipping and falling near the South Summit in the mountain’s treacherous “death zone” where oxygen levels are extremely low.

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The missing climbers were on their descent after successfully reaching the summit.

Kami Rita Sherpa made his first ascent of Everest in 1994 and has continued to do so almost every year since, except for three years when the mountain was closed for various reasons.

Updates on Kami Rita’s recent accomplishment are expected as officials await further details of his climb.

Another sherpa climber holds the record for the second most ascents of Everest with 27 successful summits, following closely behind Kami Rita’s achievement.

Mountain climbing plays a significant role in tourism, revenue generation, and employment in Nepal, which is home to eight of the world’s 14 highest peaks.

Tragically, two Mongolian climbers lost their lives on Everest last week.

By Gopal Sharma