Who is Kami Rita Sherpa, Who Scaled Everest for the 32nd Time and Set a New World Record?

Kami Rita Sherpa, Mount Everest remains the ultimate test of human endurance, but for one man. On May 17, 2026, veteran Nepalese climber Kami Rita Sherpa made history once again by successfully scaling Mount Everest (8,849-meter) the highest peak of the world for the 32nd time.

Kami Rita Sherpa a 56-year-old mountaineer broke his own previous world record by reaching the 8,849-meter (29,032 feet) during the Spring 2026 climbing season.

His achievement stands as a monumental milestone in global mountaineering, highlighting his extraordinary skill, resilience, and vital contributions of the indigenous Sherpa community to high-altitude exploration. 

Who is Kami Rita Sherpa?

Kami Rita Sherpa born into the world of mountaineering on January 17, 1970, in the high-altitude village of Thame in the Solukhumbu district of Nepal. His father was among the first professional Sherpa guides when commercial expeditions opened up, and his brother, Lakpa Rita Sherpa, has also summited Everest 17 times.

Kami Rita Sherpa, known by his nickname "Everest Man,". He began his career in the Himalayas in 1992 as a support staff member. He successfully summited Mount Everest for the first time on May 13, 1994, at the age of 24. Over more than three decades, his guiding international clients and fixing crucial safety ropes across treacherous ridges has been his full-time profession.

Kami Rita remains humble about his achievements and stated: 

"Taking clients to the summit is my duty. I am returning to the mountains as part of my job, not just to create world records or gain prestige."

He is a master of the "Eight-Thousanders" peaks rising above 8,000 meters apart from Mount Everest.  He holds the record for the most climbs of these high-altitude mountains, with over 43 times including K2, Cho Oyu, Lhotse, and Manaslu Peaks. 

The 32nd 32nd Everest Ascent of Everest Man by Breaking Own Record

Kami Rita Sherpa’s 32nd journey to mount Everest was successful which is confirmed by Nepal’s Department of Tourism via its field office stationed at the Everest Base Camp.  He stepped onto the roof of the world at 10:12 AM local time on Sunday, May 17, 2026. Serving as the lead guide for an international expedition operated by 14 Peaks Expedition, 

Kami Rita’s technical expertise ensured a safe, historic journey for his expedition team for the Spring 2026 season in spite of overcrowding and shifting mountain conditions due to climate change. 

In the same Season and on the same morning at 9:30 AM, another Nepalese climber Lhakpa Sherpa who is known as the "Mountain Queen" extended her own world record for the most Everest summits by a woman, reaching the peak for the 11th time.

Previous Record Sets By Kami Rita Shepa

Kami Rita has held the world record for the highest number of individual Everest ascents since May 2018, when he completed his 22nd climb and surpassed previous joint record of 21 climbs held by Apa Sherpa and Phurba Tashi Sherpa.

The Timeline to 32 Summits:

• In 1994 was the first successful summit at age 24.

• 2009 and  2010, achieved double summits in both seasons while executing vital rope-fixing duties.

• In May 2018, he achieved his 22nd summit, taking sole possession of the world record.

• In 2019, 2023, and 2024 he scaled the peak twice each year within the brief spring weather windows.

• May 27, 2025 reached his 31st summit.

• May 17, 2026 secured his 32nd summit, rewriting history yet again.

Nepal's Prime Minister Balendra Shah heavily praised the milestone, calling the Sherpa community the "unsung heroes of the Himalayas" and stating that Kami Rita's historic achievement further illuminates Nepal’s identity and mountain tourism on the global stage.

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