Saturday was a record breaking day for some climbers on Mount Everest. Apa Sherpa reached the summit, which is 29,035 feet above sea level, for the 20th time, more than any other human.
Known as “Super Sherpa,” Apa first summitted on May 10, 1990. This 20th summit was part of the Eco Everest Expedition. Apa Sherpa carried a WWP banner that read “You heard our voice, now raise yours – We can stop climate change in the Himalayas.” Apa and the climbers also hoped to bring trash off the mountain, in memory of Sir Edmund Hillary. Climbers leaving trash behind on the mountain has been a problem. The expedition was headed by Dawa Steven Sherpa, who is a WWF Climate for Life ambassador.
The other record was broken by American Jordan Romero. At 13, Romero became the youngest person ever to summit Everest. He is three years younger than the previous record holder, 16-year-old Temba Tshering of Nepal.
Romero climbed with his dad Paul, a flight medic, and his stepmother Karen Ludgren, a coach and personal trainer. Karen videoed the trek up the mountain.
As you might suspect, this is not Romero’s first climb. He has also been up Kilimanjaro (Africa), Kosciuszko (Australia), Elbrus (Europe/Russia), Aconcagua (South America), Denali (North America), and the Carstensz Pyramid (Indonesia).
However, not everyone was excited that Romero reached the summit, due to the dangers. Ang Tshering Sherpa, of the Nepal Mountaineering Association told AFP, “At 13, one lacks the mental and physical maturity that comes with age to tackle climbs in such altitude.” Nepal will not issue climbing licenses to anyone under the age of 16, so the expedition had to climb the mountain from the Tibet side.
Hours before Romero submitted, Arjun Bajpayee, became one of the youngest to summit Everest, tying the record, at age 16 – at least for a few hours – by climbing the mountain on the Nepal side until it was broken by Romero.
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