Kathmandu : Veteran climber Kami Rita Sherpa scaled Sagarmatha for a staggering 30th time, beating his own record for the most ascent of the world’s highest peak. Earlier this month, on May 12, he made his 29th ascent.

Kami Rita stood atop the mountain this morning at 7:49 am, confirmed Tashi Lakpa Sherpa, Managing Director of Seven Summit Treks (SST), a leading Kathmandu-based expedition operator.

This ascent earns him the title of ‘Most Successful Ascent of Mt. Everest by an Individual.’

The expedition was organised by SST, and he was leading a mountaineering expedition team comprising about 20 climbers.

Kami Rita, 54, originally from Thame village in Solukhumbu, Nepal, who works as Senior Guide at SST, has dedicated his life to mountaineering being passionate about Mt Everest in particular with his 29th successful summit. Born on January 17, 1970, he developed a deep passion for climbing from a young age, and has been in the field of mountaineering for over two decades.

His mountaineering journey began in 1992 when he joined an expedition to Everest as a support staff member. His father was his inspiration. In 1950, when Nepal opened its borders to climbers from abroad, his father became one of the earliest professional guides for expeditions.

Although his father’s climbing career was cut short in 1992 after he suffered severe frostbite, Kami Rita’s journey began that same year as a cook’s assistant at Everest’s base camp.

He had reportedly been hauling gear as a porter since the age of 12. Kami Rita’s journey to Everest began in 1994 when he joined an expedition and climbed successfully as a climbing Sherpa.

Since then, Kami Rita has fearlessly embarked on numerous expeditions, summiting Everest multiple times. Kami Rita’s achievements extend beyond Everest, having also conquered other formidable peaks, including K2, Cho Oyu, Lhotse, and Manaslu.