Nepalese climber conquers Mount Everest for a record 31st time

(Patria) - Renowned Nepalese mountain guide, Sherpa Kami Rita, climbed Mount Everest for the 31st time yesterday, breaking the record he set last year.

Officials said the 55-year-old reached the 8,849-meter (29,032-foot) summit – the world's highest peak – via the traditional southeast ridge route leading a 22-member Indian army team.

The group was also accompanied by 27 other Sherpas.

"He is a very passionate climber," said Pasang Phurba, director of Seven Summit Treks, the company Kami Rita works for.

Kami Rita first climbed Everest in 1994 and has done so every year except for three years when authorities closed the mountain to climbers for various reasons.

More than 8,000 people have summited Mount Everest since it was first conquered by New Zealander Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay in 1953.

After Kami Rita, another Sherpa, Pasang Dawa, has climbed Everest the most times with 29 ascents.

Among climbers who are not Sherpas, the record is held by British guide Kenton Cool, who achieved it 19 times, followed by American climbers Dave Hahn and Garrett Madison with 15 times each.

Nepal, one of the world's poorest countries, is home to eight of the world's 14 highest peaks and relies heavily on climbing, trekking, and tourism for foreign exchange.

Guiding foreign climbers up Everest and other peaks provides a crucial family income for many Sherpas.

Authorities have issued 468 climbing permits for Everest this climbing season from March to May, and more than 300 climbers and Sherpas have already reached the summit, officials said.

Two climbers are known to have died on the mountain this month, with unconfirmed reports of other fatalities.