Kathmandu: A veteran Nepalese Sherpa guide who scaled Mount Everest for a record 17th time was among 22 climbers to reach the world's highest peak yesterday, mountaineering officials said.
Appa reached the 8,850-metre summit at 8.45am, said Ang Tshering, president of the Nepal Mountaineering Association.
Appa was leading an eight-member team of Sherpas calling themselves the "Super Sherpas Expedition" on a charity climb to raise education funds for children of the Nepalese mountain guides.
The Nepalese Tourism Ministry, which handles all mountaineering affairs, said 22 climbers from four different expedition teams scaled Everest yesterday.
Appa, 46, is one of the most respected climbers. Sherpa guide Chewang Nima, 41, scaled the peak a 14th time last year.
Appa's climbing partner Lakpa Gyelu, made his 13th trip to the summit yesterday.
Gyelu was once the fastest climber to reach the peak, sprinting from the base camp at 5,300 metres to the summit in 10 hours and 56 minutes, but his record was broken by Pemba Dorjee who achieved the feat in eight hours and 10 minutes.
