Kami Rita Breaks the Everest Record

He may not have been aiming to set the record, but Kami Rita Sherpa now stands alone with the most successful summits of Everest. As a senior guide for Seven Summits Treks, Kami Rita Sherpa reached the summit of Everest for the 22nd time on May 16. Kami Rita Sherpa had previously shared the record for ascents at 21 with two other  guides, Phurba Tashi Sherpa and Apa Sherpa.

While Kami Rita Sherpa moved into sole position for the men’s record, 44-year-old Lhakpa Sherpa was on her way to besting her own record for successful female ascents. Already the woman’s record holder with eight Everest summits, she reached her ninth on Wednesday from the North Col on the Tibetan side of the mountain.

Lhakpa Sherpa with her Guinness World Record certificate. Photo: The Himalayan Times

Both climbers have stated that these won’t be their last ascents, with Kami Rita Sherpa aiming for 25 summits and Lhakpa Sherpa suggesting that she will try for at least 10.

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Kami Rita Sherpa Aims for 22nd Everest Summit

Spring Successes: The 2018 Himalaya Season So Far