Twelve Sherpa climbers summited Mount Everest today at 6 pm local time, after fixing ropes from the South Col at 8,000m. These are the first summits of Everest from the south side in two years, and the 25th for Kami Rita Sherpa, who breaks his own record. Kami Rita summited Everest for the first time in 1994. Besides returning to Everest every year except 2020, he has summited K2, Lhotse, Manaslu (three times), and Cho Oyu (eight times).
The Sherpa team was working for Seven Summit Treks. SST has released the name of the summiters:
1) Kami Rita Sherpa
2) Phurtenzi Sherpa
3) Lakpa Nurbu Sherpa
4) Ngima Tashi Sherpa
5) Mingma Tenji Sherpa
6) Fura Tshering Sherpa
7) Tenjing Sherpa
8 ) Chheten Dorjee Sherpa
9) Tenjing Gyaljen Sherpa
10) Phurba Chhotar Sherpa
11) Mingma Dorchi Sherpa
12) Furba Kusang Sherpa
Kami Rita Sherpa. Photo: Seven Summit Treks
Dawa Temba Sherpa also played an essential role in the fixing and summit push by carrying ropes and gear to the Balcony.
They topped out relatively late in the day, so the climbers should spend the night in a higher camp.
An unknown number of clients are following them toward the top. The Bahrain Royal Guards team should reach Camp 2 today, but aren’t planning to summit before Tuesday.
It is unclear whether teams are paying attention to Nepal’s new regulations for Everest. To lessen crowding, climbing groups are to go for the summit in the order of their permit numbers. The Bahrainis have the first permit, but whether the teams behind them will follow the new protocol is unknown.
