Mount Everest witnessed a record number of successful ascents in a single day as 274 climbers reached the summit on Wednesday, officials said Thursday.
Rishi Ram Bhandari of the Expedition Operators Association Nepal said mountaineers took advantage of favourable weather conditions to make the ascent. The total represents the highest number of summits in a single day via the popular southern route from Nepal.
Everest can be climbed from Nepal in the south or via the northern route in Tibet, China. On 22 May 2019, a combined 336 climbers reached the summit 223 from Nepal and 113 from Tibet but the northern route is closed this year.
Veteran mountaineer Kami Rita Sherpa extended his record this week, reaching Everest for the 32nd time. Pasang Dawa Sherpa achieved his 30th ascent, while Lakpa Sherpa set a new female record by summiting for the 11th time.
This year’s season began later than usual due to concerns over a large hanging serac along a key section of the route. Around 494 climbers, supported by a similar number of Sherpa guides, are expected to attempt the 8,850-metre (29,032-foot) peak before the season ends in late May.
Mount Everest was first scaled on 29 May 1953 by New Zealand mountaineer Edmund Hillary and Sherpa guide Tenzing Norgay. Since then, thousands have reached the world’s highest peak.
