Sherpa Kami Rita
Kami Rita is a Nepali guide of the Sherpa people. In 2017, Mr. Rita at age 47 achieved his 21st ascent of Mount Everest, making him one of only three people (others: Lhakpa Tenzing Sherpa and Phurba Tashi Sherpa Mendewa) in world who has summit Everest this number of times.
Next month, during the May 2018 climbing season, he is hoping to summit Mount Everest for a record-breaking 22nd time. But to Kami Rita, who has worked as a guide on Everest for over two decades, climbing to 8,848m is a job, not a record-shattering feat. “I did not start climbing to set a world record. But in the course of my work in the guiding industry, this is going to be my 22nd ascent.”
But the 2018 season, which makes the 65th anniversary of the first summit of Mt. Everest by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norway, is expected to be another busy time. However, for Kami Rita it is just another year of work; “I am not extremely happy, excited or very sad no matter how many times I climb. There are many Sherpas who have held world records, I am just starting”, stating further that “My life is just normal”.
We wish him well on this mile-stone accomplishment!
Photo Credits:
Featured Image, Kami Rita (Gulf News)
Prayer Image, kami Rita (The Daily Star)
Yellow Jacket Image (Gulf News)
Alpine Ascents
Kami Rita works for the mountaineering firm Alpine Ascents that headquartered in Seattle, Washington in the United States (see Map above).
Kathmandu
Spring is the busiest time of year on Everest, as the winds and temperatures are more forgiving than at other times of the year. And it all starts in Kathmandu (see Map above).
