The 55-year-old mountaineer reached the summit of the 8,849-metre peak — the tallest in the world — via the traditional south-east ridge route while leading a 22-member team from the Indian army, officials confirmed.
Pasang Phurba, director of the trekking agency that employs Kami Rita, stated the record-holder was currently making his way back down to lower camps.
Kami Rita, seen last year arriving in Kathmandu after his 30th successful climb, is known for his deep passion for climbing, said Mr Phurba.
Since his first Everest summit in 1994, Kami Rita has climbed the mountain every year except three, when access was restricted due to closures.
Since Sir Edmund Hillary of New Zealand and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay first conquered Everest in 1953, over 8,000 people have reached the summit.
Sherpa Pasang Dawa, with 29 ascents, holds the second-highest number of climbs after Kami Rita.
The leading non-Sherpa record is held by British guide Kenton Cool, who summited Everest for the 19th time on May 18, setting a new benchmark for non-Sherpa climbers.
Cool’s record is followed by Americans Dave Hahn and Garrett Madison, each with 15 successful climbs.
Nepal, one of the world’s poorest countries, relies heavily on climbing, trekking, and tourism as vital sources of foreign revenue. The nation hosts eight of the world’s 14 highest mountains.
For many Sherpas, guiding international climbers on Everest and other peaks provides essential income for their families.
Authorities issued 468 Everest climbing permits for the March-to-May 2025 season. Over 300 climbers and their Sherpa guides have already reached the summit, according to officials.
So far this month, two climbers have been confirmed dead on Everest, with additional unverified reports of other fatalities.
