The names of Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay will be forever in history for being the first people to ascend Mount Everest. Their feat showed that man can conquer the world and nothing can stop people from achieving greatness if they really set their mind to it. What was once thought of as impossible, was shown to be achievable. They laid the foundations for future climbers, athletes, and people to achieve greatness in their own way by being an incredible inspiration. One person that followed in their footsteps (literally) is Kami Rita Sherpa a record-breaking climber who is now possibly the most inspiring climber alive today.
On May 15th, 2019, Kami Rita Sherpa ascended Mount Everest. While many have done it before, this climb was different. It was the 23rd time that Kami Rita Sherpa made the climb and made him the record holder for the most ascents of Everest. He previously held the record with two other climbers at 21 ascents however when both climbers retired he went on to climb his 22nd and 23rd time. In a fascinating achievement, on the 21st of May 2019, he went on to climb it a 24th successful time. The first time he ever climbed the mountain twice in the same year (never mind the same week).
Kami Rita Sherpa first climbed the mountain in 1994 at the age of 25 and has continued to climb until the age of 50. He has two children who he says he climbs for, to ensure they will never have to do such a dangerous job. Their mother also assures those who ask that they will not be climbers. Kami Rita Sherpa earns about $10,000 per climb of Everest (which is only climbable in May) and guides people around smaller peaks for the rest of the year.
The achievements of Kami Rita Sherpa are incredible. What makes it more humbling is that he does his work for the security and protection of his family. He puts his life on the line year after year not for the records but for the care and love of his wife and children.