Kami Rita, one of the world’s most accomplished mountain guides, is preparing to climb Mount Everest for the 31st time — and possibly even the 32nd — aiming to extend his own record for the most successful summits of the world’s highest peak.
At 55 years old, Kami Rita arrived in Kathmandu on Sunday, ready to lead a group of climbers attempting to reach the 8,849-meter (29,032-foot) summit during this spring’s climbing season. “I am mentally, emotionally, and physically prepared to climb the mountain,” he shared at Kathmandu’s airport, adding that he’s in peak physical condition.
Kami Rita holds the record for the most successful ascents of Mount Everest, with 30 summits. He achieved the remarkable feat of climbing the peak twice in one season last May. However, his focus remains on getting his clients to the top before considering whether to make additional ascents during the season. He explained that his decision would depend on weather conditions and the state of the mountain.
His nearest competitor, fellow Sherpa guide Pasang Dawa, has climbed Everest 27 times. Kami Rita’s first successful ascent was in 1994, and since then, he has been making the journey nearly every year. As a Sherpa guide, his expertise plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety and success of foreign climbers who dream of standing on Everest’s summit.
Kami Rita’s father was one of the first Sherpa mountain guides, and like his father, Kami Rita has scaled several of the world’s highest peaks, including K2, Cho Oyu, Manaslu, and Lhotse.
This year, 214 climbers have received permits to attempt Mount Everest from the Nepali side, which is the most common route. The spring climbing season typically peaks in April and May, offering the best weather conditions for the ascent.
Mount Everest, first climbed in 1953 by New Zealand’s Sir Edmund Hillary and Nepali Sherpa Tenzing Norgay, continues to be a symbol of human determination and endurance.
