Kami Rita Sherpa, 56, set a new record by summiting Mount Everest for the 32nd time on May 17, 2026, at 10:12 a.m. local Nepal time while leading clients from the 14 Peaks Expedition company [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. On the same day, 52-year-old Lhakpa Sherpa, known as the 'Mountain Queen,' reached the summit for her 11th time, surpassing her own record [1, 2, 6, 5].
Kami Rita first summited Everest in 1994 and has climbed almost every year except during closures in 2014, 2015, and 2020 [1, 2, 5]. He hails from the village of Thame in Solukhumbu district, the same region as legendary climber Tenzing Norgay [2, 6, 3, 4, 5]. His previous record ascent, the 31st, was made less than a year ago on May 27, 2025 [3, 4].
Among non-Sherpa climbers, the highest number of Everest summits is held by British guide Kenton Cool with 19 climbs, followed by Americans Dave Hahn and Garrett Madison with 15 each [2, 6, 5].
Nepal issued a record 492 permits for Everest climbing during the 2026 March-May season, with about 500 foreign climbers granted permits [1, 2, 6, 5]. The increase in climbers brought risks: three Nepali climbers died on Everest in May 2026 [2, 5].
Nepal’s Department of Tourism and Prime Minister Balendra Shah congratulated Kami Rita and Lhakpa on their achievements. Shah said, "Such historic success can only be achieved through unwavering courage, rigorous self-discipline, and honest dedication to one's work" [1]. Himal Gautam, spokesperson for Nepal’s Tourism Department, called it "another milestone in Nepal’s mountaineering history" and said their records "give greater excitement to other climbers" and help make climbing "safer, more dignified and better managed" [6].
After reaching the summit, Kami Rita reportedly began his descent to base camp with his team, said Khim Lal Gautam, Coordinator of the Everest Base Camp field office [3].
