Nepal’s ‘Everest Man’ Sets New Record with 31st Summit

Nepali Sherpa climber Kami Rita, known as the “Everest Man,” has scaled Mount Everest for the 31st time, breaking his own record for the most climbs up the world’s tallest peak. The 55-year-old reached the 8,894m summit at 04:00 local time on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, while guiding a group of Indian army officials up the mountain.

According to Seven Summit Treks, Kami Rita Sherpa is “not just a national climbing hero, but a global symbol of Everest itself.” The expedition organizer praised Kami Rita’s remarkable achievement, stating, “Kami Rita Sherpa needs no introduction.” His closest competitor, fellow Nepali Sherpa Pasang Dawa, has scaled the peak 29 times.

Kami Rita first summited Everest in 1994 and has made the peak almost every year since, scaling it twice in some years, including 2023 and 2024. Reflecting on his record, Kami Rita said, “I am glad for the record, but records are eventually broken. I am more happy that my climbs help Nepal be recognised in the world.” This feat comes one week after British mountaineer Kenton Cool summited Everest for the 19th time, breaking his own record for the most climbs for a non-Sherpa.

The climbing season, which is coming to an end, has seen over 500 people and their guides successfully climb Everest. Nepal’s tourism department issued more than 1,000 climbing permits this season for Everest and other peaks. However, the increasing number of summit attempts has raised concerns about overcrowding and environmental impact. To mitigate this, authorities introduced a rule last year requiring climbers to collect their own waste and bring it back to base camp for proper disposal.

While Kami Rita Sherpa’s record-breaking 31st summit of Mount Everest is widely celebrated, it’s worth considering the human side of his achievements. In a 2023 interview, Sherpa expressed concerns about the future of Nepal, stating, “There is no future in Nepal.”

Despite being a national hero and having climbed Everest a record 28 times at the time, he had moved to the capital, Kathmandu, to provide better education for his children. This sentiment highlights the complexities of Sherpa life, where mountaineering achievements often come with personal sacrifices and concerns about the country’s development. Sherpa’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the individuals behind these remarkable feats.