Kami Rita Sherpa becomes the Only Person to Climb Everest 32nd Times!

Kami Rita Sherpa has once again broke his own record after climbing Mount Everest (the highest peak in the world) for the 32nd time. He is a living legend, a Nepalese mountaineer also known as “Everest Man.” He has become a worldwide sensation and garnered admiration for climbing Mount Everest more times than any human in history.

Kami Rita was born on January 17, 1970, in the high Himalayan village of Thame, Solukhumbu. His father was one of the first Nepali Sherpa guides after 1950. In his early years, he went to a local monastery and dreamed of becoming a monk. Though he chose mountains, and once committed, he won the hearts of everyone. Growing up on the lap of the Everest itself, his passion for climbing Everest ran in his blood. That’s why when he was just 12, he already started gearing up for Everest Base Camp.

Kami Rita Sherpa climbed Mount Everest for the first time in May 1994 when he was just 24 years old. And today he climbs Everest almost every season (sometimes even twice a season).

Once again, on May 17, 2026, Kami Rita Sherpa broke the record for 32 successful Everest ascents. His historic milestones have made him an iconic figure in the world. Kmai Rita’s journey to Everest first started as a guide. He worked as a guide for expeditions and summitting Everest with many renowned companies. Climbing over countless picks, Kami Rita is an admirable person of this generation.

What records has Kami Rita Sherpa set on Mount Everest?

To this day, Kami Rita Sherpa has earned multiple world records in the sector of high-altitude climbing. One of the most renowned records he has broken is for being the person with the most Everest summits: 32 (as of May 17, 2026). He keeps breaking his own record, with the previous being 31st.

To date, nobody has achieved this level of milestone. Reaching the top of Everest at 8,8849 m once is already dangerous and challenging, Kami Rita has made it 32nd time. The hype and respect he is worth it.

Besides the Sherpa, the non-Sherpa person holding the record of the most climbed Everest is 19th time by Kenton Cool, 15th by Americans Dave Hahn and Garrett Madison.
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Kami Rita Sherpa Guinness World Records says by late 2025, he had been certified for 42 total ascents of 8,000-meter peaks (31 of them Everest). As of today, 31 becomes 32. Guinness lists him as the record-holder for most Everest climbs and most 8,000m climbs.

Some of his well-known records are:

• Everest summits: 32 times (1994–2026)
• Other 8,000m peaks: Cho Oyu (8 times), Manaslu (≥1), Lhotse (1), K2 (1)
• Historical firsts: First person ever to reach Everest’s summit 22 times (2018)
• First to reach 32 times (May 2026)

This achievement is a proud moment for the whole Nepalese nation. His accomplishments and determination show his love for climbing strengthens his legacy for the future.

How many times has Kami Rita Sherpa climbed Mount Everest?

Kami Rita Sherpa has climbed Mount Everest 32 times as of 2026. He is the only person on Earth who has climbed Everest this many times. It is the highest time recorded ever in the history of mountain climbing. Previously, it was the 31st time held by Kami Rita himself, and today he has broken his own world record.

Climbing for the first time in 1994, as of now at the age of 56, he has climbed 32 times. Since the beginning, he has returned to Mt.Everest nearly every climbing season. In some busy years, he even summited twice.

Only during the challenging times like the deadly 2014 avalanche (in which he lost a relative), 2015 was halted by Nepal’s earthquake, and 2020 was canceled by COVID, he didn’t go to the summit. From 2019 to 2026, he has been climbing Everest annually (often twice).

Highlighting a moment in Kami Rita Sherpa’s career:

• 1994: 1st Everest summit
• 2013: 21st summit (ties record)
• 2018: 25th summit (first person ever to climb 22 times)
• 2024: 29th and 30th summits (Kami Rita Sherpa sets record with 30th Everest Ascent)
• May 27, 2025: 31st summit (guiding an Indian Army team)
• May 17, 2026: 32nd summit (age 56)

How Kami Rita Sherpa Started his Journey?

Born in the home of Sagaramatha (Everest) itself and guided by his father at home, his journey of climbing began naturally. However, it was not all due to passion at first. Coming from a big, poor family in a high mountain, he has no other option besides being a guide for a living.

Kami Rita Sherpa first entered this sector as a porter at 12 years old. His journey first started with carrying gear and equipment to the Everest Base Camp. Later, his first ascent of Mount Everest was on 13 May, 1994. From then on, he continued conquering the Everest every year during the peak season.

To this day, Kami Rita has worked with many national and international companies. Besides Everest, he has also successfully climbed other mountains like Cho Oyu, K2, Lhotse, Manaslu, and many more.

Does Kami Rita Sherpa hold a Guinness World Record?

Yes. Kami Rita Sherpa holds a Guinness World record for being the person who has climbed Mount Everest the most. His great achievements or records are “Most ascents of Mount Everest” and “Most total summits of 8,000-meter peaks by an individual.” This is the reason why he has earned the nickname Everest Man.

When Kami climbed Everest for the 30th time in May 2024, he had already set the record in the Guinness World Records book. But this didn’t stop him. He continued climbing the Everest and breaking his own records and becoming a living icon. Guinness has officially certified his total of 42 eight-thousanders (including 31 Everests) and awarded him a certificate as a record-holder in 2025.

Kami Rita Sherpa’s Contribution to the Mountaineering Sector in Nepal

As an Everest expedition guide with so many world records, Rita Sherpa has no limit his knowledge in this field. He has actively advocated for the challenges faced by Sherpa climbers in Nepal. He has always been vocal about the scenario and struggles faced by guides. Now, currently working as a high altitude worker at 14peaksexpedition, he has consistently spread positivity and motivation to the people around the world.

Who is Kami Rita Sherpa’s wife? Early life and upbringing

Kami Rita Sherpa’s wife is Lakpa Jangmu. He is a married man and father of two children (a son and a daughter). He currently lives in Kathmandu so that his children can get a good education. He wants his children to choose a safe profession and does not suggest mountain climbing. Kami Sherpa grew up in harsh conditions. His family was poor and lived in a big family in a single room. Though it is known about his family’s condition, Kami Rita has made it here due to all his hard work and passion.

Is Kami Rita Sherpa alive and still active?

Yes, Kami Rita Sherpa is still alive and active. His recent achievement was on May 17, 2026, when he climbed Mount Everest for the 32nd time. He is still active, climbing, and setting new records one after another. At the age of 56 years old, he is still working hard and doing well.
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After achieving this milestone, Kami stated that 2026 climbing might be his final Everest climb. After retiring from Everest climbing in 2026, he plans to continue trekking and other adventure activities. Though a concrete answer has yet to be said. We still don’t know if he has stopped altogether.

Challenges and Risks of Sherpa Climbers

Every great achievement comes with lots of hardship, struggles, and challenges. Guides and Sherpa climbers have lots of risks they have to face during teh every climb:

• Hazardous Profession: Everest climbing is not a simple mountain climb. It requires rigorous skills, support, training, and preparation. The data says that guiding Everest is one of the most dangerous professions in the world. Here, every step is made with calculation and planning.
• Death Zone: Human beings easily get altitude sickness beyond 3,000 m, and just imagine climbing above the death zone. Above the 8,000 m altitude of Everest is called the death zone. The oxygen level here is just 30 to 33%. Climbers and guides can easily get altitude sickness at this height. It has a very high risk of getting altitude sickness and Hypoxia.
• Dangerous Route: Everest is landfilled of snows, moraines, glaciers, crevasses, and avalanches. To reach the summit of the Everest, climbers have to go through all this at high altitude. With the help of a fixed rope as support, reaching the top is not that easy. The route is unpredictable and changes every time. The guide has to navigate through it every day before the climb.
• Physically Demanding: Climbing Everest one time is already difficult, but guides have to make it to the top every season. Due to steep ascents and the route and conditions, it is physically demanding. The high altitude and rough terrain can lead to chronic illness in the future.
• Limitation: Though Kami Rita Sherpa was an exception, climbing Everest as a profession for a lifetime is not possible. It is limited to age. Physical strength is key, and as you get older, the probability of making it to the top decreases. Similarly, it is also done seasonally. Twice is the max in a year, and sometimes, if the route condition is bad, it further decreases or is not permitted.

The legacy of Kami Rita Sherpa will continue forever. At the age of 56, years old break world records; he is worth the respect and admiration from people all over the world. It concludes that neither age nor challenges can stop him. Even after achieving so many milestones, he continued, and now this “Everest Man” Kami Rita Sherpa has become the only person in the world who has climbed Mount Everest 32nd times.