ENVIRONMENT

A record 274 climbers scale Mount Everest in a single day

May 22nd, 2026

KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — Hundreds of climbers scaled Mount Everest in a single day, setting a new record with 274 successful ascents, officials said Thursday.

The climbers took advantage of the clear weather on Wednesday, said Rishi Ram Bhandari of the Expedition Operators Association Nepal. It was the highest number of climbers to reach the summit on a single day from the popular route on the southern face of the peak, which is located in Nepal.

The peak can be scaled from either the southern side in Nepal or northern face in China’s Tibet. On May 22, 2019, Nepal’s side had 223 and the Chinese side had 113 climbers on the summit. Chinese authorities, however, have closed the route this year.

Earlier this week, veteran mountain guide Kami Rita Sherpa scaled the peak for the 32nd time, breaking his own record. His closest competitor, Pasang Dawa Sherpa, scaled the peak for the 30th time this week. Also, Lakpa Sherpa scaled Everest for the 11th time, topping her own record for the highest number of climbs by a female climber.

This year’s Everest climbing season began late because of risk from a huge serac hanging over the key route to the summit. There are around 494 climbers and equal number of their Sherpa guides who are expected to attempt scale the 8,850-meter (29,032-foot) peak by the end of this month when the climbing season on the peak ends.

Thousands of people have climbed the peak since it was first scaled on May 29, 1953, by New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Sherpa guide Tenzing Norgay.

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Curated By

Ricardo Vega
Investigative Street Correspondent | Immersion Journalism Producer | Underground Culture Documentarian

Ricardo Vega is an independent, boots-on-the-ground journalist who dives headfirst into the stories that mainstream outlets ignore. From derelict urban ruins and underground music scenes to extreme sports fringes and the overlooked edges of city life, he lives the stories he tells. With a Gonzo spirit and a Rolodex packed with street artists, underground athletes, indie musicians, and everyday voices rarely heard on network news, Ricardo delivers raw, immersive reporting that gets its hands dirty and its pulse racing. Ricardo doesn’t observe from a distance—he embeds, experiences, and brings back the unfiltered truth with authentic voices and gritty perspective. Fiercely independent in his politics and approach, Ricardo chases the real heartbeat of subcultures and forgotten places, where the sanitized narratives of corporate media never reach.

Comments (1)

Julian Sterling

05/24/2026 07:35

This record climb count underscores a troubling commercialization of Everest, where profit motives eclipse safety and environmental stewardship. While the allure of revenue from climbing permits is undeniable, Nepal's reliance on this high-risk tourism risks long-term ecological damage and reputational harm. The mountain isn't just a brand, it's a fragile ecosystem. Each season, waste, oxygen tanks, and overcrowding strain its limits. Kami Rita Sherpa’s achievements are remarkable, but they also highlight how local communities bear the brunt of this industry’s risks. Meanwhile, China’s decision to close their route reflects a different calculus, one that prioritizes sustainability over short-term gain. Nepal should consider similar restrictions. Progress in adventure tourism must be guided by profit with purpose, not blind exploitation. The market alone won’t protect Everest. It requires regulation, accountability, and respect for both climbers and the mountain itself.

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A record 274 climbers scale Mount Everest in a single day

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