28 Times and Counting: Story of ‘The Everest Man’ Kami Rita Sherpa

Mountains are the most beautiful thing god has made, aren’t they? I am sure you all love mountains and most of you even want to live there forever. There’s a magical feel there that touches every soul, filling us with pure joy and excitement. Just imagine the fresh air and incredible views! Even if mountains aren’t your thing, there’s no denying they’re pretty special.

Mountains are like these ancient giants. Standing there for ages and ages. They can definitely make you feel super strong and inspired, just like they’ve been through so much. The beauty of the mountains fascinates everybody. But have you ever imagined the other side of this natural beauty? Maybe there’s a whole different world hidden back there!

Mountains are definitely awe-inspiring, but they can also be pretty wild. Mountains do have some dark sides that we aren’t much aware of. Or we can say some life-threatening things, lack of human supported things like hospitals, roads, unpredicted weather, Man-eaters and many more.

We remain unaware of the hurdles and difficulties of people living in the hilly areas. People want to live in the mountains for various reasons. Some are attracted to the beautiful views and clean environment while others seek adventure opportunities like hiking, skiing or mountain climbing.

Many people aspire to go mountain climbing or dream of doing so. And when we talk about mountains how could we forget about Mount Everest which is the highest mountain in the world whose height is approximately 8848 meters.

Every year many people come to Nepal and Tibet from different countries of the world to explore this mountain range. It is every mountaineer’s dream to explore Mount Everest at least once in their life. But only a few are able to achieve it because exploring Mount Everest means putting your life at risk.

Conquering a mountain is no easy feat, that’s for sure! Climbers have to be super tough to face all that nature throws at them. Imagine dealing with freezing temperatures, thin air, and even falling rocks. But that’s why mountaineers are so inspiring, they’re up for any challenge. And let’s not forget the treacherous Khumbu Icefalls, one of the toughest sections that the climbers need to cross during the Everest Expedition process.

Mountains are amazing, but they can also be super dangerous. The crazy cold and all that snow can make it feel like a freezer up there. That’s why it’s no surprise many climbers just don’t make it. It takes a lot of courage to even try! But guess what? There’s this incredible guy named Kami Rita Sherpa who climbed Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world, a whopping 28 times. That’s more than most people climb even regular hills.

Who are the Sherpa People in the Himalayas?

Sherpas are the ethnic groups or communities belonging to the Tibet and Nepal region. Sherpa comes from the word “shar,” meaning east, and “pa” indicates their origins in eastern Tibet.

We see all these climbers reaching the top of Everest, and it’s like, “Wow, they’re amazing!” But you know what else is amazing? The Sherpas who help them get there. These mountaineering guides are basically the ultimate mountain buddies. They carry gear, help choose the safest routes, and even set up camp. Climbing Everest is no easy feat, and Sherpas are there every step of the way to make sure things run smoothly. They’ve been doing this for over 100 years, so you know they’re the real mountain experts.

They have to carry heavy loads which contain a lot of equipment, oxygen cylinders, tents, stoves, gas, food etc. Sherpas are not just their guide but a life saviour to all Mountaineers. Sherpas are very religious and they follow their religion very passionately. They visited the Tengboche Monastery in the Khumbu region of eastern Nepal before starting their climb on the mountain.

This monastery is the oldest monastery in the Khumbu region where they pray to god for their safety and a safe journey. Sherpas make their living by accompanying travellers from around the world on unforgettable journeys to the majestic peaks of Everest and other Himalayan wonders. Now you have an idea about the Sherpas, let’s get to know about this Man who became the inspiration to all Sherpas.

Who Is Kami Rita Sherpa?

Kami Rita Sherpa was born on 17th January 1970 in Thame region which is situated in Solukhumbu village of Nepal. He belongs to a very humble ethnic Sherpa family. His father and elder brother are also in the Sherpa profession. His father ‘Mingma Chhiri Sherpa’ was among the first professional Sherpas in 1950. His elder brother also climbed Mount Everest 17 times.

Growing up Kami Rita Sherpa watched his father and brother climbing, he also joined in the same profession as a mountain guide following their footsteps.

He didn’t just start climbing Everest yesterday. His journey began way back in 1992 when he was just a young teen. Even then, he was already working in the mountains, starting out as a cook at Everest Base Camp. Back then, things were different. There weren’t fancy stoves, so they had to gather firewood for cooking, just like everyone else in the Khumbu region. Life in the mountains can be tough, with crazy snowstorms and landslides, but that’s the world Kami Rita knew growing up.

Poverty and unemployment are also the main reasons for them to be in this risky profession. It was on May 13,1994 when Kami climbed Everest for the very first time at the age of 24. Since then, he climbed Mount Everest every year. Today he is also known as ‘MOUNTAIN MAN’ or “EVEREST MAN”.

The Record-Breaking Climbs of Kami Rita Sherpa

Kami Rita Sherpa is like a man on a mission. He keeps breaking his own record for climbing Mount Everest. Back in 2018, he became the king of Everest, climbing it for the 22nd time and beating the previous record. He even surpassed legends like Apa Sherpa and Phurba Tashi Sherpa who retired after conquering it 21 times. And then, in 2023, he just had to outdo himself again, reaching the summit for the incredible 27th time.

This guy just keeps pushing his limits. He held the record for climbing Everest 27 times, which is already mind-blowing, but Just a week later, on 23rd May 2023, he went and climbed it again, breaking his own record for the 28th time. The whole of Nepal is celebrating him and for good reason. He’s a true champion who never gives up on his goals.

Kami Rita isn’t about competing with others, he’s all about challenging himself and reaching new heights. These days, he even shares his Everest expertise as a senior guide in Kathmandu to help other climbers achieve their dreams.

In addition to Mount Everest, he also climbed other mountain ranges like Mount Cho-Oyu, Mount Lhotse and Mount K2. He climbed Mount Cho Oyu 8 times and Mount K2 and Mount Lhotse one time. Currently, he has no plans to quit the job of mountain climbing, he will do so as long as his health supports him.

But he said that he doesn’t want to involve their children in the Sherpa profession because of the risky and dangerous nature. In the earlier time when Kami Rita Sherpa joined mountain climbing, there was less income in Nepal. So to feed their family and for their betterment, they have to choose this profession.

He knew very well that this is not going to be easy but he chose to dedicate himself to his family and his community. He risks his life because of the possibility of earning the greater income offered by taking on the risk that attracts them and all of the Sherpa community. According to him, there is no future in Nepal.

They need a future for themselves and for their children and they are creating it on their own. So this is the reason that pushes Sherpas to leave this industry and also discourages their children from taking it up. They are providing education to them in another field so that they can run their family without risking their own lives. Kami Rita Sherpa has a 24-year-old son who is studying tourism and a 22-year-old daughter who is doing an Information Technology course.

Sherpas also don’t get that much support from the government and insurance payouts are also limited for them. So, it is very much possible that in the upcoming years, there will be fewer Sherpas to guide climbers.

Sherpas are like the unsung heroes of Everest. These mountain guides work incredibly hard to help climbers reach the top. It’s true, for a long time, their amazing work wasn’t as well-known. But that’s definitely changing. We’re all realizing more and more how much climbers rely on their expertise.

Climbing Everest is no walk in the park, and sadly, some Sherpas have lost their lives in the mountains. Safety measures have gotten a lot better over the years, with better equipment and training. Even though there are still risks involved, it’s definitely encouraging to see things improve.

Sherpas and their families are some of the toughest people around. Sometimes, when Sherpas go up the mountains, their families aren’t sure if they’ll come back. But they support them with courage.

Sherpas knows Everest inside and out, which is why they’re so crucial for keeping climbers safe. They can guide them through dangers and help them reach their dreams. It’s a true team effort to reach the top of the world!

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