Kami Rita Sherpa, aged 55, has made history by reaching the summit of Mount Everest for a record-breaking 31st time, surpassing his own previous record. The famed Sherpa guide achieved the feat while leading a team of 22 Indian army members and 27 Sherpas on the 8,849-meter peak.
Since his first successful climb in 1994, Kami Rita has summited Everest nearly every year, playing a vital role in guiding foreign climbers through the arduous and perilous ascent. Over the decades since the historic first climb by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay in 1953, more than 8,000 people have reached Everest’s summit, with 700 to 1,000 attempting the climb annually and a 60 to 70 percent success rate.
Kami Rita’s achievement highlights the essential contribution of Sherpas—an indigenous Himalayan ethnic group known for their unique physiological adaptation to high altitudes—in ensuring the safety of climbers during the often weeks-long expedition.
The Sherpa community has historically faced poverty, but the growth of mountaineering tourism has provided new economic opportunities. While many Sherpas still work as porters, carrying gear for foreign climbers, increasing numbers are securing higher-paying roles as guides, camp managers, and route fixers. However, concerns remain regarding compensation, especially in the event of fatal accidents.
According to the Himalayan Database, about 340 climbers have died on Everest, with Sherpas accounting for nearly one-third of those deaths. In the 2025 climbing season alone, four climbers have lost their lives, including two Sherpa workers.
Kami Rita, along with his brother Lakpa Rita Sherpa, who has summited Everest 17 times, continues to support their community in Thame, Nepal, through their climbing successes and the international recognition they bring.
Swifteradio.com
