The Everest Man does it again – 31 times on top of the world!

This children’s article, The Everest Man does it again – 31 times on top of the world! has been written for learners of English as a second or foreign language. It helps children practise reading and comprehension, learn exciting vocabulary, and discover amazing facts about the world’s tallest mountain. Written by Mark Pulley, a teacher and writer who creates fun and informative news articles for English learners.

Climbing Everest again and again

For most people, climbing Mount Everest is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. But for Kami Rita, a Sherpa guide from Nepal, it’s something he has done an incredible 31 times!

Kami Rita is part of the Sherpa people, who live in the mountains of Nepal and are famous for guiding climbers up Everest. 

On Tuesday, 27 May 2025, Kami Rita reached the summit at 4:00 am local time, breaking his own record for the most times anyone has climbed the world’s tallest mountain.

Who are the Sherpas?

The word “Sherpa” describes both an ethnic group living in Nepal’s high mountains and mountain guides who help climbers. Kami Rita has been a Sherpa guide for over 20 years, with his first Everest summit in 1994.

He recently led a group of Indian army officials up Everest, reaching the top at 8,849 metres (29,032 feet) above sea level.

Close competition

Hot on Kami Rita’s heels is fellow Nepali Sherpa Pasang Dawa, who has climbed Everest 29 times.

Just a week before Kami Rita’s latest record, British climber Kenton Cool set the record for the most climbs by a non-Sherpa. He has reached the summit 19 times. Interestingly, Kenton’s 18th climb was guided by Kami Rita himself!

Facts about Mount Everest

• Everest is the highest mountain in the world, standing at 8,849 metres tall.
  
• Most climbers try to reach the summit in May, when the weather is usually better.
  
• Climbing Everest takes several weeks, as climbers must get used to the thin air and cold temperatures.
  
• The mountain is part of the Himalayas, stretching between Nepal and Tibet (China).
  
• The air at the summit contains only about one-third of the oxygen found at sea level.
  
• The first people to reach Everest’s top were Sir Edmund Hillary from New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay, a Sherpa from Nepal, in 1953.

Could you climb Mount Everest one day? It’s not easy, and there’s a lot to learn. Read this to give you an idea of what’s involved – Training to Climb Mount Everest.

Article vocabulary list

• Summit – The very top of a mountain
• Sherpa – People from Nepal who live in the mountains and guide climbers
• Climb – To go up something, like a mountain
• Record – The best or highest achievement ever made
• Altitude – Height above sea level
• Thin air – Air with less oxygen, making it hard to breathe

Comprehension questions

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