British man claims record for most Everest ascents by non-Nepali

Many Nepali guides who help tourists to climb the mountain have completed substantially more ascents of Everest. The current record-holder is Kami Rita, a Sherpa who last week climbed the mountain for the 26th time at the age of 52.

Cool has previously climbed Everest with other mountaineers including Sir Ranulph Fiennes and the broadcaster Ben Fogle.

He was told he would never walk again unaided after he shattered both heel bones in a rock-climbing accident in 1996. He defied those predictions with a year of surgery and therapy, but still suffers from chronic pain.

But the mountaineering industry also brings in substantial income for Nepal and supports thousands of jobs in the region around Everest, which was hit hard when global tourism collapsed during the coronavirus pandemic.

According to the Kathmandu Post, as many as 150 climbers made it to the top of Everest in a day last week, including a group of black climbers who were taking part in an expedition designed to improve diversity in the mountaineering industry.