Despite the allure and triumph of summiting Everest, the mountain presents formidable challenges and risks, as evidenced by past tragedies. The surge in climbers over the years has transformed mountaineering into a lucrative industry
Mount Everest witnessed extraordinary feats on 12th February 2024 as two climbers etched their names into the annals of mountaineering history. Kami Rita Sherpa, aged 54, achieved an unparalleled milestone by conquering the world’s tallest peak for an astonishing 29th time. Meanwhile, British climber Kenton Cool ascended to his 18th summit, securing a new record for the most climbs by a foreigner.
Kami Rita Sherpa: The ‘Everest Man’
Kami Rita Sherpa, a seasoned guide with over two decades of experience, earned the moniker ‘Everest Man’ for his exceptional achievements. He first reached the 8,849-meter summit in 1994 during a commercial expedition and has since been a regular presence on Everest, guiding numerous clients. Sherpa’s dedication to the mountain is evident as he continues to set records, with his latest summit marking his 29th successful ascent.
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Sherpa’s passion for mountaineering extends beyond Everest, as he has also conquered other formidable 8,000-meter peaks, including K2 in Pakistan. Despite his numerous accomplishments, Sherpa remains humble, emphasizing that his focus has always been on his work rather than setting records.
Kami Rita Sherpa was born on January 17, 1970, in Thame village, Solukhumbu, Nepal, Rita embarked on his mountaineering journey in 1992, carrying forward the legacy of his father, Mingma Tshering Sherpa. Tshering Sherpa was one of the pioneering professional guides on Everest when Nepal welcomed international climbers in 1950.
Kenton Cool: Defying the Odds
Kenton Cool, a resilient guide, overcame a significant setback following a rock-climbing accident in 1996 that left him with severe injuries. Despite being told he might never walk unaided again, Cool’s determination and love for mountaineering propelled him to achieve remarkable feats. His 18th summit of Everest is a testament to his unwavering spirit and resilience in the face of adversity.
Cool, in acknowledging his achievements, remains modest and acknowledges the exceptional accomplishments of Nepali climbers who have significantly more ascents. His perspective on his Everest record reflects his humility and respect for the mountaineering community.
Mount Everest Climbing Season and Challenges
The spring climbing season in Nepal is a significant event that attracts hundreds of adventurers each year. This season, which runs from April to early June 2, is considered the best time for peak climbing due to warm weather and typically calm winds.
Nepal’s spring climbing season for Mount Everest has seen a surge in permits issued, with 414 mountaineers granted permission to attempt the summit this year. The presence of Nepali guides accompanying most climbers highlights the crucial role they play in facilitating successful ascents. The recent opening of the route to the summit by a group of Nepali climbers has paved the way for over 800 climbers to embark on their journey to conquer Everest.
China Reopens Tibetan Route
China’s decision to reopen the Tibetan route to foreign climbers this year, following its closure in 2020 due to the pandemic, brings a fresh dimension to the mountaineering landscape.
Additionally, this is a positive step towards revitalizing mountaineering activities that were impacted by the pandemic. Nepal’s rich mountainous landscape, home to eight of the world’s 10 highest peaks, continues to attract adventurers seeking to test their limits and experience the thrill of high-altitude climbing.
The climbing boom in recent years has transformed mountaineering into a thriving industry, drawing enthusiasts from around the globe.
However, amidst the allure and triumph, Everest’s formidable challenges endure. Despite last year (2023) witnessing over 600 successful summits, the climbing season was marred by tragedy, marking the deadliest season on record with 18 fatalities. The surge in climbers over the years has transformed mountaineering into a lucrative industry, fueled by the enduring legacy of Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay, who achieved the historic first ascent of Everest in 1953.
Why is Everest on every climber’s checklist?
The recent death of a US climber on Mount Everest, the fourth this season, highlights the dangers of scaling the world’s highest peak. With nearly 1,000 climbers, including essential Nepali guides, preparing for the ascent, the risks are underscored. Everest, known as Sagarmatha in Nepali and Chomolungma in Tibetan, has fascinated climbers since it was identified as the tallest mountain. Despite the first expedition in 1921, it took until 1953 for Nepali Tenzing Norgay and New Zealander Edmund Hillary to reach the summit. Now, commercialization has attracted many climbers, resulting in over 6,000 successful summits, mostly in the last two decades.
How much does it cost?
Climbing Everest comes with a hefty price tag, ranging from $45,000 to $200,000. This includes a $11,000 permit for foreign climbers, along with expenses for travel, insurance, equipment, and most importantly, guides.
According to Pasang Tenje Sherpa from Everest expedition operator Pioneer Adventure, costs have surged in recent years due to climbers seeking a more luxurious climbing experience. Companies now compete to provide top-notch services.
At base camp, climbers enjoy amenities like hearty breakfasts, wifi for staying connected, brewed coffee, and other comforts unimaginable to early climbers.
Bangladesh’s success in winning Everest
Despite Bangladesh’s proximity to the Himalayas, scaling the towering peaks seemed like a distant dream for its people. However, on May 23, 2010, Musa Ibrahim achieved the remarkable feat of reaching the summit, braving the risk of death and maintaining his composure over an extended period. Following Ibrahim’s pioneering ascent, four more Bangladeshis successfully conquered Mount Everest. As Nepal’s spring climbing season is underway, here is a brief introduction to these Bangladeshi Everest champions:
Musa Ibrahim:
Musa Ibrahim, the first Bangladeshi to summit Mount Everest, exclaims that it has been an exhilarating experience.
Ibrahim began his hill-climbing endeavors in Bangladesh in 2000 before venturing into the Himalayas in 2002.
By 2004, he had dedicated himself to mountaineering, actively engaging in training. Subsequently, from 2005 to 2010, he participated in annual mountaineering expeditions.
M.A. Muhith:
On May 19, 2012, MA Muhith achieved his second conquest of Everest, becoming the second Bangladeshi to do so. Remarkably, he is the sole Bangladeshi to conquer Everest from both the North and South sides. Born in 1970 in Bhola district, Muhith holds this unique distinction.
Wasfia Nazreen:
Wasfia Nazreen Wasfia is mostly known for being the only Bangladeshi and first Bangalee in the world to climb the Seven Summits — the highest mountains of every continent.
Notably, she holds the unique distinction of being the only woman to carry the titles of National Geographic Explorer and Adventurer simultaneously.
Nishat Majumder:
Nishat Mazumder has achieved a remarkable feat by conquering Mount Everest, the formidable pinnacle towering over five miles high, as the first Bangladeshi woman to do so.
Scaling the 8,850-meter-high (29,035-foot-high) summit from the northern side of the Nepalese mountain.
Sajal Khaled:
At 35 years old, Mohammed Khaled Hossain, known as Sajol Khaled, met a tragic fate during his descent from Everest. In May 2011, he embarked on an expedition to Mt. Everest via the north face of China’s Tibet border. However, his ascent was halted at 23,000 feet due to illness caused by fluid accumulation in his lungs.
In 2006, Khaled achieved notable summits alongside Musa Ibrahim, conquering Frey Mount in Sikkim, India, as well as Sindhu Chuli Mount and Mera Mount in Nepal.
