Sherpas honoured on anniversary of first climb

Nepal has honoured several Sherpa guides for their own Everest successes on the anniversary of the first conquest of the world’s highest peak.

Government minister Bina Magar, who herself is an Everest climber, honoured the guides at a ceremony held every year on the date in 1953 that New Zealander Sir Edmund Hillary and his guide Tenzing Norgay first set foot on the summit of the 8,850-metre mountain.

Those honoured included Kami Rita, who just climbed the mountain for a record 22nd time; Lhakpa Sherpa, whose nine climbs are the most for a woman; and seven brothers who have all made it to the top of the world and have combined for 61 total ascents. A certificate issued by Guinness World Records was handed over to the brothers at the ceremony.