In a spectacular showcase of unparalleled endurance, skill, and Himalayan heritage, two of Nepal’s most legendary mountaineers rewritten history on Mount Everest on Sunday morning. Kami Rita Sherpa successfully reached the summit for an astonishing 32nd time, while Lhakpa Sherpa extended her legacy as the world’s most successful female climber by securing her 11th summit.
The historic twin milestones were officially confirmed by Nepal’s Department of Tourism field office stationed at Everest Base Camp.
The “Everest Man” Does It Again
Kami Rita Sherpa, 56, stood on the 8,848.86-meter peak at 10:12 AM local time. Leading a commercial expedition team operated by 14 Peaks Expedition, Kami Rita navigated the standard South Col route from the Nepali side during a pristine weather window in the Spring 2026 climbing season.
Born in the high-altitude village of Thame in Solukhumbu, Kami Rita’s legendary relationship with Sagarmatha began with his first successful summit in 1994. Over a career spanning more than three decades, he has consistently downplayed the global records he breaks nearly every year, frequently reminding the public that he is “simply doing his job” guiding clients. Beyond Everest, his massive high-altitude resume includes multiple ascents of other formidable 8,000-meter giants, including K2, Cho Oyu, Lhotse, and Manaslu.
“This is another monumental milestone in Nepal’s mountaineering history,” said Himal Gautam, spokesperson for the Department of Tourism. “Kami Rita’s dedication reflects the profound contribution of the Sherpa community to the global international profiling of our country.”
The “Mountain Queen” Extends Her Reign
Just 42 minutes before Kami Rita’s historic step, Lhakpa Sherpa—widely celebrated as the “Mountain Queen”—conquered the peak at 9:30 AM, completing her 11th successful ascent of Mount Everest. Climbing with Seven Summit Adventure, the 52-year-old veteran guide broke her own previous world record of 10 female ascents, which she had held since 2022.
Lhakpa’s journey is one of the most storied and inspiring in modern sports. Born in the Makalu region of Sankhuwasabha, she made history on May 18, 2000, by becoming the first Nepali woman to successfully climb and descend Everest alive.Out of her 11 historic summits, eight have been achieved via the northern ridge in Tibet and three from the southern route in Nepal.
Her relentless grit—which includes balancing everyday jobs in Connecticut, USA, raising children as a single mother, and even climbing Everest during a past pregnancy—was the subject of the critically acclaimed 2023 Netflix documentary Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa. She also added a successful summit of K2 to her name in July 2023.
A Triumphant Start to a Busy Season
The double-record achievements arrive during a heavily monitored Spring season. The Department of Tourism issued a massive 492 climbing permits for Everest this year, bringing nearly a thousand climbers, support staff, and guides onto the mountain. The surge has triggered stricter safety protocols and a newly implemented ban on solo climbs for all 8,000-meter peaks to prevent bottleneck risks near the death zone.
In a statement following the news, government officials lauded both climbers, stating that their healthy, record-breaking feats elevate the prestige of mountain tourism, ensuring that the legacy of the Himalayas remains inextricably linked with the local heroes who know them best.
Both Kami Rita and Lhakpa Sherpa are reported to be in excellent health and are safely descending through the lower camps toward Everest Base Camp, where grand celebrations await them.