Nepali legend Kami Rita Sherpa stood atop the world’s highest point for the 32nd time on May 17, 2024, breaking his own record set just a year earlier. The 56-year-old Kami Rita Sherpa has guided Everest climbers every year since his first summit in 1994, often making it twice in a single season. Each climb pushes his body closer to the limits of human endurance, but Sherpa treats it like regular work. “I don’t see it as a big deal anymore,” he told reporters after his latest ascent. “It’s just another day guiding clients to the top.” His record-breaking climb happened during the busy May climbing window when weather conditions are most favorable for Everest expeditions.

Meanwhile, 52-year-old Lhakpa Sherpa became the first woman to summit Everest 11 times on May 22, 2024. Known as the “Mountain Queen,” she first stood on top in 2000 and has held the women’s record since 2018. Unlike Kami Rita, who works primarily as a guide, Lhakpa Sherpa focuses on her own climbs while also supporting her family back in Nepal. Her daughter even summited Everest in 2022, making them the first mother-daughter team to both reach the top. “Every climb is different,” she said in a recent interview. “The mountain tests you in new ways each time.”

Their record-breaking climbs highlight Nepal’s dominance in Everest guiding. Nearly all expeditions rely on Nepali Sherpa guides, who carry heavy loads, fix ropes, and ensure client safety. The Nepal Mountaineering Association estimates that Sherpas make up 90% of the workforce on Everest. Tourism officials say these records bring attention to Nepal’s mountaineering heritage while inspiring new climbers to attempt the peak responsibly.

Why their records matter

Beyond personal achievement, these climbs reflect the changing face of Everest expeditions. Kami Rita Sherpa’s 32 summits—more than any other human—show how commercial guiding has evolved since the 1990s. Back then, only elite climbers attempted Everest. Now, hundreds pay $30,000–$100,000 for guided trips each year. Lhakpa Sherpa’s 11 summits as a woman break barriers in a male-dominated sport and challenge stereotypes about what Nepali women can achieve.

Both climbers also emphasize safety improvements on the mountain. Kami Rita Sherpa has been vocal about reducing crowds on the Hillary Step, the bottleneck near the summit that caused deadly traffic jams in 2019. Lhakpa Sherpa has pushed for better weather forecasting and stricter climbing regulations to prevent accidents. Their experiences at high altitude give them unique credibility when advocating for change.

The business of Everest

Their achievements come as Nepal’s government debates stricter rules for climbers. In 2024, Nepal raised the Everest climbing fee to $15,000 for foreign climbers, part of efforts to manage overcrowding. The government argues higher fees will reduce litter and improve safety, but critics say it prices out smaller operators. Sherpa guides like Kami Rita and Lhakpa earn about $5,000–$10,000 per season, far less than expedition companies charge clients.

Meanwhile, the climbing season saw its usual mix of triumph and tragedy. On May 19, an experienced Indian climber died near Camp 4 after summiting. His death brought the 2024 Everest toll to at least 12, including Sherpas and guides. Each fatality renews debates about whether Everest has become too commercialized. Proponents argue guided climbs make the mountain accessible to those who couldn’t attempt it alone. Opponents say the crowds create dangerous conditions.

What happens next

Kami Rita Sherpa says he plans to keep guiding for at least two more years, aiming for his 34th summit. Lhakpa Sherpa is focusing on family and mentoring younger climbers, including her daughter. Both believe Nepal’s mountaineering future depends on better training and fairer pay for guides. “The mountain doesn’t care who you are,” Lhakpa Sherpa told reporters. “Respect it, and it will let you return.” Their records serve as both inspiration and reminder that Everest’s challenges extend far beyond the summit.

What You Need to Know

  • Source: Al Jazeera
  • Published: May 17, 2026 at 10:05 UTC
  • Category: War
  • Topics: #conflict · #war · #aljazeera · #two-nepali-sherpa · #mount-everest-kami · #rita-sherpa

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Curated by GlobalBR News · May 17, 2026

🇧🇷 Resumo em Português

O Nepal, país berço dos lendários guias de montanha, viu dois de seus mais experientes sherpas entrarem para a história ao superar suas próprias marcas no Everest: Kami Rita Sherpa, com impressionantes 32 ascensões, e Lhakpa Sherpa, primeira mulher a atingir o topo 11 vezes. As conquistas, alcançadas na temporada de 2024, não apenas reafirmam a tradição nepalesa no alpinismo extremo, mas também jogam luz sobre os riscos e sacrifícios enfrentados por esses profissionais que, muitas vezes, arriscam suas vidas para abrir caminho a aventureiros de todo o mundo.

O feito dos Sherpas ganha contornos ainda mais relevantes quando se considera o impacto global do Everest, principal vitrine do turismo de aventura, e como o Brasil, com sua crescente comunidade de montanhistas, observa com atenção esses recordes. Afinal, a participação de brasileiros nas expedições ao Himalaia tem crescido, seja por motivações esportivas, culturais ou até mesmo como forma de testar limites pessoais. Além disso, a história desses guias nepaleses serve como um alerta sobre a exploração do trabalho braçal em ambientes hostis, onde a mão de obra local é imprescindível, mas nem sempre adequadamente valorizada ou protegida.

Enquanto Kami Rita e Lhakpa Sherpa seguem ampliando seus próprios limites, a pergunta que fica é: até quando o corpo e a mente desses guerreiros das montanhas resistirão aos danos acumulados? E, no Brasil, qual será o próximo passo daqueles que se inspiram nesses feitos para levar suas próprias aventuras a patamares ainda mais altos?

🇪🇸 Resumen en Español

El pasado mes de mayo, dos leyendas del himalayismo nepalí reescribieron una vez más los límites de lo posible al conquistar el Everest, el pico más alto del mundo, superando sus propios récords personales en una hazaña que emocionó al planeta.

Kami Rita Sherpa, con 32 ascensiones al Everest, y Lhakpa Sherpa, primera mujer en lograr 11 cumbres, no solo elevaron su leyenda, sino que pusieron de relieve la importancia estratégica de Nepal en el turismo de aventura global. Sus hazañas, además de demostrar su excepcional resistencia, atraen cada año a miles de alpinistas internacionales, generando ingresos millonarios para el país asiático. Sin embargo, estos récords también subrayan los riesgos mortales de la montaña —más de 300 fallecidos en sus laderas— y la necesidad de reforzar medidas de seguridad y sostenibilidad en un sector cada vez más masificado. Para el mundo hispanohablante, su historia es un recordatorio de cómo el deporte extremo puede ser, al mismo tiempo, un motor económico y un espejo de los desafíos humanos y ambientales de nuestra era.