Nepalese Sherpa breaks record for most women climbing Everest

Kathmandu, Nepal — A Nepali sherpa climbed to the top of the world’s highest peak on Thursday, breaking her own record as the most successful female climber of Mount Everest. Lhakpa Sherpa and several other climbers took advantage of the good weather to reach the 29,032-foot summit early in the morning, her brother and expedition organizer Mingma Gelu said. He said she is in good health and is coming down safely from the top.

The 48-year-old Sherpa never had a chance to get a formal education because she had to start making a living with climbing gear and supplies for trekkers. Her successful ascent of her Thursday was her tenth. This is the most number of times a woman has ever climbed Everest. She said she always wanted to inspire all women to make her own dreams come true.

Born in Nepal, the Sherpa lives in West Hartford, Connecticut, USA with their three children.

Another Nepalese Sherpa guide, Kami Rita, reached the summit for the 26th time on Saturday, breaking the record for the most climbs of Everest. Rita led a group of sherpa climbers who secured ropes along the route so hundreds of other climbers and guides could climb to the top of the mountain later this month.

Sherpa guides, equal to hundreds of foreign climbers, will attempt to climb Everest in May when the weather conditions of the Himalayan peaks are most favorable for the climb.