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About The Asian reporter. (Portland, Or.) 1991-current | View Entire Issue (June 4, 2018)
ASIA / PACIFIC Page 16 n THE ASIAN REPORTER June 4, 2018 Record Everest climber returns, already planning next trip By Binaj Gurubacharya The Associated Press ATHMANDU, Ne- pal — A Sherpa climbing guide who scaled Mount Everest for a record 22nd time returned from the moun- tain and said he’s already planning his next trip. After flying back to Kathmandu by helicopter, Kami Rita, 48, said he’s not ready to retire and plans to continue to guide visiting climbers on the world’s highest mountain next year. “I will continue to climb. I have not reached my retirement age, and until I retire, I will continue to be a guide on Everest,” he said. He said he will continue to climb other peaks and plans to attempt Mount Everest again next year. “I really don’t need to prepare for Everest since I will be climbing other peaks later this year,” he said. Friends and supporters welcomed Kami Rita at Kathmandu’s airport with bouquets and traditional ceremonial scarves. He first scaled Everest at K EVEREST RECORD. Nepalese female climber Lhakpa Sherpa, left, is issued an honorary certificate in Kathmandu, Nepal. Lhakpa Sherpa scaled the 29,035-foot peak last month, breaking her own record for the most climbs by a woman. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha) Everest female record-setter wants to be an inspiration By Binaj Gurubacharya The Associated Press ATHMANDU, Nepal — The most successful female climber of Mount Everest who just returned from her ninth ascent of the highest peak said she wants to be an inspiration to all women so they too can achieve their dreams. Lhakpa Sherpa was guiding some 50 climbers with her brother when she scaled the 29,035-foot peak last month, breaking her own record for the most climbs by a woman. “If an uneducated woman who is a single mother can climb Everest nine times, any woman can achieve their dreams,” Sherpa said in Kathmandu, where she and Kami Rita, who climbed Everest for a record K 22nd time, were honored by the tourism community. The 44-year-old Sherpa never got a chance to obtain formal education due to having to start earning a living by carrying climbing gear and supplies for trekkers. She said she wants to return next year for yet another climb. “People who are 70 years old are still climbing Everest, I am nowhere there,” she said, adding that she was still healthy and fit. Her most recent climb was the toughest, she said, adding there was a lot of wind and snow and her group had to wait a few days to get to the summit. She said she’s looking forward to seeing her three children back in Connecticut, where she works as a dishwasher at a Whole Foods Market in West Hartford. SUPER SUMMITTER. Nepalese veteran Sherpa guide Kami Rita, 48, waves upon arrival in Kathmandu, Nepal last month. Rita scaled Mount Everest the morning of May 16 for the 22nd time, setting the record for most climbs of the world’s highest mountain, according to officials. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha) age 24, and has made the reached the top at least climb almost every year once. since then. He has also Kami Rita was at climbed many of the Everest Base Camp when region’s other high peaks, an avalanche struck in including K-2, Cho-Oyu, 2014, killing 16 Sherpa Manaslu, and Lhotse. In guides, including five from the autumn, he guides his team. The next year, an clients to smaller peaks in earthquake triggered Nepal. another avalanche that Mountaineering has ripped through Base been his family tradition. Camp, killing 19 people. He Kami Rita’s father was escaped because his team’s among the first profes- tents were set up that year sional guides after Nepal on the far side of Base opened to foreign trekkers Camp. Two other Sherpa guides and mountaineers in 1950. His brother has scaled have scaled Everest 21 Everest 17 times. Most of times and both have since his male relatives have retired. q Nepal honors nine guides for Everest successes on anniversary By Binaj Gurubacharya The Associated Press READ ABOUT THE ASIAN REPORTER FOUNDATION’S 2018 AWARD RECIPIENTS! Our special banquet issue recognizing the efforts and accomplishments of area Asian Americans published on May 21, 2018. To download a PDF version of the special issue honoring our 2018 awardees, visit <www.asianreporter.com> or <www.ARFoundation.net>. TRANSIT FARE CAR D ATHMANDU, Nepal — Nepal honored several Sherpa guides for their Everest successes on the anniversary of the first conquest of the world’s highest peak. Government minister Bina Magar, herself an Everest climber, honored the guides at a ceremony held every year on the date in 1953 that New Zealander Edmund Hillary and his guide Tenzing Norgay first set foot on the summit of the 29,035-foot mountain. Those honored included Kami Rita, who just climbed the mountain for a record 22nd time. He said when he returned from the mountain that he plans to guide climbers to the summit next year as well. He first scaled Everest at age 24 and has made the climb almost every year since then. The ceremony also honored Lhakpa Sherpa, 44, whose nine climbs are the most for a woman. She lives in West Hartford, Connecticut, for much of the year and works at a grocery store when she’s not guiding foreign climbers. She and her brother guided some 50 climbers on Everest last month. The ceremony also honored seven brothers who all have made it to the top of Everest and have 61 total ascents combined. A certificate issued by Guinness World Records was handed over to the brothers at the ceremony in Kathman- du. Since Mount Everest was first conquered, thousands of climbers have reached the summit, while more than 300 have lost their lives on the unpredictable slopes. K BUYING OR SELLING REAL ESTATE? It’s your move … Let me help you make the right one! w Experienced w Knowledgeable w Professional (503) 706-2643 zenny48@gmail.com www.locationrealty.realtor Zenny Way Real Estate Broker Licensed in Oregon & Washington
