KATHMANDU, MAY 17 — Two Nepali mountaineers created history on Sunday morning by achieving remarkable milestones on Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak. Kami Rita Sherpa completed his record-breaking 32nd ascent of Everest, while Lhakpa Sherpa reached the summit for an unprecedented 11th time, marking a significant moment in Nepal’s mountaineering legacy.

Fifty-five-year-old Kami Rita Sherpa from Thame village in Solukhumbu began his final summit push from the South Col on Saturday night and successfully reached the summit (8,848.86m) at 10:12 am on Sunday, according to the Department of Tourism. He was climbing as part of a 14 Peaks Expedition team this season, without guiding any foreign client.

Kami Rita has long been regarded as one of the most experienced Everest climbers in the world. He first summited Everest in 1994 and has held the record for the most Everest ascents since 2018. Over his decades-long career, he has also climbed other major peaks, including Cho Oyu eight times, Manaslu five times, and both K2 and Lhotse once each. In 2025, he was recognised by Guinness World Records for the most true-summit ascents of 8,000-metre peaks, with 42 total ascents recorded after his 31st Everest climb last year.

Before departing for this season, Kami Rita had hinted that this could be his final Everest expedition, saying he planned to retire from Everest climbing in 2026 and continue with trekking and other adventure activities. According to expedition organisers, he may still consider attempting a 33rd summit depending on his condition after returning to base camp.

Earlier on the same day, 53-year-old Lhakpa Sherpa, widely known as the “Mountain Queen,” made her own historic achievement by becoming the first woman in history to summit Everest 11 times. She reached the top at 9:30 am as part of an expedition operated by Seven Summit Adventure.

Originally from Sankhuwasabha, Lhakpa Sherpa first climbed Everest in 2000 without formal mountaineering training. Of her 11 ascents, three were from the Nepal side and eight from the Tibetan side. She also summited K2, the world’s second-highest mountain, in 2023 and holds a Guinness World Records certificate for the most Everest ascents by a woman.

What makes Lhakpa’s story particularly remarkable is her life beyond mountaineering. She currently lives in Connecticut, United States, where she works at a Whole Foods Market. Despite her extraordinary achievements, she has continued to lead a modest life and often speaks about climbing to inspire women and young people, encouraging them with the message that “they can do anything they want.”

Sunday’s twin achievements highlight Nepal’s continued dominance in high-altitude mountaineering, reaffirming the country’s deep connection with Everest and its legendary Sherpa climbers.