Nepal’s British mountain guide Kenton Cool has just done something truly remarkable. He just summited the world’s highest peak for the 19th time, earning himself a new record for most ascents of Mount Everest by a non-Sherpa commercial guide. This remarkable accomplishment solidifies his legacy in the annals of mountaineering. Only Nepali Sherpa guides have more frequent summits of Mount Everest among them.
Kenton Cool on the summit of Mount Everest for the first time in 2004. Since then, he has returned nearly every year, showing an indefatigable spirit in pursuit of taming the beastly mountain. He is now tied with Nepali Sherpa guide Kami Rita, a legendary figure in mountaineering. Kami now has the record for most climbs, an astounding 30 ascents. This most recent climb is a testament to Cool’s truly amazing commitment. That incredible expertise and versatility is the key to facing the daunting challenges associated with our most extreme landscapes.
Every spring, thousands of climbers and their guides descend to Everest in advance of the climbing season. …this year is no exception! Kenton Cool, above, is one of the climbers on the mountain right now. They are all working on their respective attempts ahead of the Himalayan climbing season creasing in late October. With weather conditions rapidly worsening as the rainy monsoon season sets in, it is an important deadline for climbers.
Cool had a pretty hard road to get to this point. (photo credit: Jeff Rigsby/Adobe Stock) A tragic avalanche took the lives of 16 Sherpa guides in 2014. Because of that, he missed an entire climbing season. Things became even worse the following year after an earthquake on the nearby mountain range set off a massive avalanche that killed 19 people. Further, the entire 2020 climbing season came to a close due to the coronavirus pandemic, making his dreams to keep climbing even more difficult.
Our Kenton Cool is doing this, taking the lead on Everest as we speak. He’s not alone – and neither will you be if you follow Kami Rita’s ascent in the coming days. Their love for adventure and human spirit of grit truly represent what it means to climb mountains like Everest.
