Kami Rita Sherpa sets new record scaling Everest for 22nd time

KATHMANDU, May 16: Kami Rita Sherpa on Wednesday scaled Mt. Everest, the world’s highest peak, for the 22nd time with a record of highest number of summits, government officials confirmed.

The 48-year-old Kami Rita reached the summit at 8:30 am on Wednesday, according to contact officer at the base camp Gyanendra Shrestha.

“Kami Rita Sherpa reached the summit this morning at around 8:30 a.m. local time along with other climbers,” said Shrestha.

Kami Rita Sherpa had ascended the Everest summit for the 21st time on May 27, 2017. His record of 21 summits was shared by Nepali climbers Apa Sherpa and Phurba Tashi Sherpa. Both Apa and Phurba have already announced retirement. Kami Rita first reached the highest peak in 1994, when he was 24 years.

He has already climbed most of the peaks above 8,000 meters including K2 and Annapurna, among others.

More than 60 mountaineers including Sherpa successfully climbed Mt Everest so far since the beginning of spring climbing season this year, according to Shrestha.