On May 28, 2025, Kami Rita Sherpa marked his historical 31st ascent of Mount Everest, surpassing his previous record and reinforcing his position as the guide with the most summits of the world's highest peak. For over three decades, the 55-year-old Sherpa has guided climbers from varied backgrounds to fulfill their dreams atop Everest. Celebrated for his experience, he shared his thoughts in an interview soon after his latest ascent, emphasizing the increased difficulties faced by climbers in recent years largely attributed to adverse weather conditions.
"Climbing has become more arduous due to the climate changes we are witnessing. This year's summit was particularly challenging," he expressed, highlighting a shift in the nature of expeditions on the iconic mountain. Despite the challenges, he holds immense pride in helping climbers achieve their lifelong ambitions, reinforcing his commitment to the guiding community.
As the conversation turned towards the future, Sherpa noted the growing trend of luxury expeditions and the introduction of advanced technologies like xenon gas to aid climbs, calling attention to how these factors might affect the nature and accessibility of future summits. He warned that with the diminishing snow cover and the increased unpredictability of weather patterns, the future of Everest could look quite different, potentially leading to a decline in climbing guides needed on the mountain.
"We must consider what the long-term implications will be if these trends continue," he cautioned, suggesting a world where snowless mountains might become a reality, fundamentally changing the climbing experience. Despite these challenges, Sherpa remains optimistic, leveraging his extensive knowledge of the region to educate and prepare future climbers for what lies ahead.
"Climbing has become more arduous due to the climate changes we are witnessing. This year's summit was particularly challenging," he expressed, highlighting a shift in the nature of expeditions on the iconic mountain. Despite the challenges, he holds immense pride in helping climbers achieve their lifelong ambitions, reinforcing his commitment to the guiding community.
As the conversation turned towards the future, Sherpa noted the growing trend of luxury expeditions and the introduction of advanced technologies like xenon gas to aid climbs, calling attention to how these factors might affect the nature and accessibility of future summits. He warned that with the diminishing snow cover and the increased unpredictability of weather patterns, the future of Everest could look quite different, potentially leading to a decline in climbing guides needed on the mountain.
"We must consider what the long-term implications will be if these trends continue," he cautioned, suggesting a world where snowless mountains might become a reality, fundamentally changing the climbing experience. Despite these challenges, Sherpa remains optimistic, leveraging his extensive knowledge of the region to educate and prepare future climbers for what lies ahead.
