Meet Kami Rita Sherpa: The Nepali guide who climbed Mount Everest a record 32 times in 32 years

Kami Rita Sherpa, a Nepali guide from the Solukhumbu region, has climbed Mount Everest 32 times in 32 years, setting a world record for the most successful ascents by any individual. His first summit came in 1994, and he has since returned nearly every year, often climbing multiple times in a single season while leading commercial expeditions. Born into a family with deep ties to Himalayan mountaineering—his father was an early Sherpa guide—Kami Rita grew up familiar with high-altitude trekking. He began working in the industry in his early 20s and has since become synonymous with Everest’s summit, surpassing his own record in 2018 and continuing to extend it. Sherpas play an indispensable role in Everest expeditions, carrying oxygen, equipment, and supplies through deadly terrain like the Khumbu Icefall. Without their expertise in fixing ropes, establishing routes, and assisting climbers, commercial ascents would not be possible. Kami Rita’s record reflects years of technical skill and endurance in extreme conditions, including subzero temperatures, low oxygen, and life-threatening winds. Everest’s challenges are unmatched: at 8,849 meters, oxygen levels drop to one-third of sea-level concentrations, increasing risks of frostbite, altitude sickness, and avalanches. Despite these dangers, Sherpas like Kami Rita return season after season, driven by tradition and the demands of guiding expeditions. The Sherpa community, rooted in Tibetan Buddhism, treats the mountains with spiritual reverence. Before expeditions, they perform pujas—rituals for safe passage—highlighting their cultural connection to Everest. Kami Rita’s record not only celebrates his personal achievement but also honors the unsung contributions of Sherpas to global mountaineering.