Kathmandu, Nepal—A 54-year-old Nepalese climber known as “Everest Man” reached the peak of the world’s highest mountain for a record 30th time on Wednesday, three decades after his first summit.
Kami Rita Sherpa, who broke his own record after climbing the 8,849-meter peak for the 29th time earlier this month, has previously said he was “just working” and did not plan on setting records.
“Kami Rita reached the summit this morning. Now he has made a new record with 30 summits of Everest,” Mingma Sherpa of Seven Summit Treks, his expedition organizer, told AFP.
Sherpa first stood on the top of Everest in 1994 when working for a commercial expedition.
Since then he has climbed Everest almost every year, guiding clients.
“I am glad for the record, but records are eventually broken,” he told AFP after his 29th climb on May 12.
“I am more happy that my climbs help Nepal be recognized in the world.”
Last year, Sherpa climbed Everest twice to reclaim his record after another guide, Pasang Dawa Sherpa, equalled his number of ascents.
He has also conquered other 8,000-meter peaks including the world’s second-highest mountain, K2 in Pakistan.
His success on reaching the top came as the season’s death toll climbed to five.
A Romanian climber died during a bid to scale Lhotse, the fourth-highest mountain, his expedition organiser said.
“He was found dead in his tent on Camp Three on Monday morning by his guide,” said Mohan Lamsal of Makalu Adventure, naming the climber as Gabriel Viorel Tabara.
Everest and Lhotse share the same route until diverting at 7,200 meters.
“We are making efforts to bring his body down,” he said. AFP