Nepali Sherpa guide Kami Rita, 55, set a new world record by summiting Mount Everest for the 31st time, surpassing his previous milestone from 2023.
According to Nepal’s Department of Tourism, Kami Rita leading a 22-member team from the Indian army via the southeast ridge route, he, alongside 27 Sherpas, reached the 8,849-meter (29,032-foot) peak, the highest in the world
Kami Rita, employed by Seven Summit Treks, first climbed Everest in 1994 and has summited nearly every year since, except during closures in 2014, 2015, and 2020. “He’s a passionate climber,” said Pasang Phurba, director of Seven Summit Treks, noting Kami Rita was descending to lower camps post-summit, per The Himalayan Times. Per The Times of India, his 31 climbs outstrip fellow Sherpa Pasang Dawa’s 29 and non-Sherpa record-holder Kenton Cool’s 19.
The Everest Man did it again! 31st Ascent of Mt. Everest (Sagarmatha) 🏔️
Massive congratulations to the legendary Kami Rita Sherpa on his 31st successful ascent of Everest — the highest number of ascents by anyone in history – with @sevensummittreks
Kami Rita reached the… pic.twitter.com/vPdFh28Bzu
— Seven Summit Treks 🇳🇵 (@sst8848) May 27, 2025Nepal, home to eight of the world’s 14 highest peaks, relies heavily on mountaineering tourism, with Everest permits generating significant revenue. In 2025, 468 climbers received permits, and over 300, including Sherpas, have summited, per Reuters.
Kami Rita’s feat underscores the vital role Sherpas play, providing income for families in one of the world’s poorest nations. However, the season has seen tragedy, with two confirmed deaths and unverified reports of others, per BBC News.
🏔️🇳🇵 Kami Rita Breaks Everest Record With 31st Summit
Nepali Sherpa Kami Rita scaled Mount Everest for the 31st time while guiding an Indian army team.
His record ascent highlights Sherpas’ vital role in Nepal’s tourism-driven economy. pic.twitter.com/ngAO98hXnA
— PiQ (@PiQSuite) May 27, 2025Mountaineering historian Dr. Anil Sharma from Kathmandu University states, “Kami Rita’s record reflects Sherpa resilience and Nepal’s climbing heritage, but safety concerns persist.”
Kami Rita’s milestone highlights Nepal’s mountaineering prowess amid economic reliance on tourism. As Everest’s allure grows, his story inspires climbers worldwide.
