Nepal's Everest Man Kami Rita Sherpa climbs Mount Everest for record 32nd Time

At 56, most mountaineers have long retired from high-altitude climbing. Kami Rita Sherpa is not like most mountaineers. The legendary Nepali climber summited Mount Everest for a record 32nd time on Sunday morning, extending a world record that belongs entirely to him. In a sport defined by extremes, his consistency across three decades stands apart from every achievement the mountain has ever witnessed.

Who Is Kami Rita Sherpa?

Kami Rita Sherpa is a 56-year-old Nepali mountaineer whose Everest journey began in 1994. He reached the summit at 10:12 AM on Sunday, adding another chapter to a career that has made him a national hero in Nepal and a global symbol of the mountain itself.

What Makes His 32nd Summit So Significant?

Every summit Kami Rita Sherpa completes is his own record broken. No other climber in history has reached the top of Mount Everest as many times. He is regarded as one of the greatest high-altitude climbers of all time. His achievement represents not just athletic endurance but unmatched technical knowledge of the world's most dangerous mountain.

Was He the Only Record-Breaker This Season?

No. Fellow Nepali mountaineer Lhakpa Sherpa also made history, summiting Everest for the 11th time on May 17, 2026, becoming the first woman to achieve that milestone. According to Seven Summit Treks, she reached the summit at around 9:30 AM, continuing her own legacy of inspiring climbers worldwide.

How Dangerous Has This Season Been?

The 2026 climbing season has not been without tragedy. Delays in the Khumbu Icefall disrupted route operations, with rope-fixing only completing on May 13. Three climbers died during preparations, including mountaineer Bijay Ghimere and guides Phura Gyaljen Sherpa and Lakpa Dendi Sherpa. Reportedly, around 350 deaths have been recorded on the mountain to date.

How Crowded Is Everest Right Now?

Around 1,000 climbers are expected to attempt the summit over the next two weeks during narrow summit windows, compressing thousands onto the same routes simultaneously.

What Happens to a Record-Breaker After the Summit?

Kami Rita Sherpa will descend to Base Camp before returning to Kathmandu. Whether he attempts a 33rd summit remains unannounced. His story is less about individual glory and more about what sustained excellence at altitude reveals about human possibility.

(With inputs from yMedia)