Kami Rita Sherpa leader climbs Mount Everest for a record 28th time

KATHMANDU, Nepal — Veteran Sherpa guide Kami Rita scaled Mount Everest for the 28th time on Tuesday, breaking her own record less than a week after setting it, as two guides compete for the title of most summits of the world’s highest peak.

Kami Rita, considered one of the top mountain guides, reached the 8,849-meter (29,032-foot) summit at 9:20 a.m. local time on Tuesday, according to expedition organizer Seven Summits Treks.

His most recent climb came a day after Sherpa leader Pasang Dawa’s record of 27 summits.

The race for the title began with Pasang Dawa climbing the summit for the 26th time on 14 May, equaling Kami Rita’s previous record. Rita Kami reached the summit three days later, for the 27th time.

With a few days left in the spring climbing season, both Sherpa guides were on the mountain to help their clients up the snowy peak. May is the busiest month for dangerous climbing as it has the best weather conditions.

Rita Kami reached the summit of Everest for the first time in 1994 and has made the trip almost every year since then. He is one of the many Sherpa guides whose expertise and skills are vital to the safety and success of foreign climbers trying to reach the top of the mountain.

His father was among the first Sherpa guides. In addition to climbing Everest, Rita has climbed several other peaks that are among the highest in the world, including K2, Cho Oyu, Manaslu and Lhotse.

Hundreds of climbers have scaled Mount Everest or plan to attempt it this month.

Nepalese authorities have issued about 480 climbing permits to foreign climbers, the most every year. At least that many local Sherpa guides would accompany them during the climbing season.

So far, 10 people have died on Everest during this spring climbing season.