Kami Rita and Lhakpa Sherpa Rewrite Everest History with Record-Breaking Summits

Two Nepali Sherpa climbers have again set Everest records this season. Kami Rita Sherpa reached the summit for the 32nd time. Lhakpa Sherpa, known as the "Mountain Queen", completed her 11th ascent. Both broke their own marks on the world's highest peak.

Nepal's Tourism Department called the achievements historic for the country. "This is another milestone in Nepal's mountaineering history," spokesperson Himal Gautam told AFP on Sunday. Kami Rita Sherpa, 56, first summited in 1994 during a commercial expedition. Lhakpa Sherpa, 52, first summited in 2000.

Kami Rita, often called the "Everest Man", has guided clients almost every year since 1994. In some seasons, he has climbed Everest twice. Lhakpa Sherpa became the first Nepali woman to successfully summit and descend Everest during her 2000 climb.

Nepal has issued a record 492 Everest permits this year. The permits cover the main March to May climbing season. Since the Hillary and Norgay expedition, more than 8,000 people have climbed the mountain. Many have reached the summit several times.

Summit records by non-Sherpa guides

Among non-Sherpa climbers, British guide Kenton Cool holds the record. He has summited Everest 19 times. American climbers Dave Hahn and Garrett Madison have each completed 15 climbs. Cool and Madison are currently on Everest, seeking to extend their tallies.

Key Everest summit records for guides mentioned in this report are shown below. The list notes whether each climber is Sherpa or non-Sherpa, and includes their known successful Everest climbs, based on the current data given by Nepal officials and expedition records.