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24 Everest summits and still going strong: record-breaking Nepalese mountain guide Kami Rita Sherpa vows to keep climbing
- Kami Rita Sherpa has been to the summit of the world’s highest mountain more times than anyone else on Earth
- And the 49-year-old, who claims an unblemished safety record, has no plans to stop taking clients to the top any time soon
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Kami Rita Sherpa is arguably one of the most accomplished climbers in the world. But you could be forgiven for not knowing that.
Last month, the unassuming 49-year-old Nepalese mountain guide reached the summit of Mount Everest for the 24th time – seven days after breaking his own record with a 23rd ascent of the world’s highest peak.
Upon his return to the Nepalese capital of Kathmandu, he received a hero’s welcome. At the airport, his wife hugged him as a crowd of supporters danced, cheered and handed him flowers.
Yet Kami shied away from much of the media circus that surrounded him, telling reporters he was simply doing his job and fending off requests for interviews and public engagements from across his home country and further afield.
It took quite a bit of persuasion to get him to agree to talk. Concerned that his lack of proficiency in English might lead to him being misquoted, he consented to an interview under the sole proviso that his 20-year-old son Lakpa be allowed to translate.
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