Nepalese mountaineer Kami Rita Sherpa has set a new world record by successfully summiting Mount Everest for the 32nd time, further extending his own record as the most ascents of the world’s highest peak.
Read More: Nepalese Sherpa completes record 23rd Everest climb
The 56-year-old climber reached the 8,849-metre summit early on May 17 alongside a team of fellow Sherpa guides, according to Nepal’s Department of Tourism. Officials congratulated him on the historic achievement, calling it a remarkable milestone in the history of Himalayan mountaineering.
Kami Rita Sherpa, widely known as the “Everest Man,” first climbed Mount Everest in 1994. Since then, he has made the ascent almost every year, becoming one of the most experienced high-altitude climbers in the world. His repeated expeditions have made him a key figure in guiding international climbers attempting to reach the summit.
With this latest climb, he has surpassed his own previous record set in 2025, reinforcing his dominance in Everest mountaineering history. He did not attempt the climb in 2014, 2015 and 2020 when the mountain was closed or expeditions were halted due to various reasons, including natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nepal’s tourism authorities said his achievement reflects both exceptional endurance and decades of experience in extreme high-altitude conditions. Officials also praised the contributions of Sherpa climbers, who play a crucial role in supporting international expeditions on Everest.
Another Sherpa climber, Lhakpa Sherpa, also achieved a milestone during the same expedition by summiting Everest for the 11th time.
More than 8,000 people have successfully climbed Mount Everest since it was first conquered in 1953, though many have done so multiple times. Among non-Sherpa climbers, British mountaineer Kenton Cool holds the record with 19 ascents.
Read More: ‘Death zone’ queues feared on Everest as Nepal grants
Kami Rita Sherpa’s latest feat further strengthens Nepal’s global reputation in mountaineering and highlights the enduring legacy of Sherpa climbers in Everest exploration.