Nepal Mountaineer Kami Rita Sherpa breaks own record, successfully scales Mount Everest peak 29th time

Most people only dream of reaching the peak of Mount Everest once, but Kami Rita Sherpa, one of the world's most skilled climbing guides for the highest mountain in the world, has achieved the feat for the 29th time.

Rita reached the 8,849-metre (29,032-foot) peak of 'Sagarmatha' Known as Mount Everest in Nepal early Sunday (May 12), said Mingma Sherpa from Seven Summits Treks, as per media reports.

Breaking records

Kami Rita, as per the report, not only achieved the impressive feat of reaching the peak, but also broke his own record for most climbs.

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After the climb, the 54-year-old Sherpa was reported to be in good health and had started his trek down to the mountain's lower camps. 

Last year, Rita climbed the summit twice and broke the record for the most climbs on his first expedition and again on his second one a week later.

Reportedly, he and a fellow Sherpa guide, Pasand Dawa, had been competing for the record of most climbs of the 29,032-foot peak. Dawa has achieved the feat 27 times, two times less than Rita.

Just last week, Rita from the base camp posted on Instagram, "Back again for the 29th summit to the top of the world…One man's job, another man/woman's dream".

As per his latest update on Instagram, Rita has safely reached the base camp.

Who is Kami Rita?

Kami Rita is one of Mount Everest's most skilled climbing guides and has built a reputation as a vital guide for foreign climbers. 

He first scaled the peak in 1994, and since then has climbed to the top almost every year. This has earned him the nickname 'Everest Man'.

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Rita, as per Al Jazeera, has a family legacy connected to Mount Everest. Before him, his father was a Sherpa there. In fact, Rita's father was one of the first Sherpa guides.

Everest climbing 2024

Mingma Sherpa said that the weather on the world's tallest peak was good and favourable for climbing.

This year, hundreds of people have been granted climbing permits by Nepalese authorities to scale the mountain. 

Last year was recorded as the deadliest season on the mountain with 18 fatalities, while 600 climbers made it to the Everest summit.

(With inputs from agencies)