A 55-year-old man from Nepal known as the "Everest Man" climbed the summit of Mount Everest for the 31st time on Tuesday, breaking his own record of climbing the highest peak for the most number of times.

The famed Sherpa guide, Kami Rita, was leading a climbing expedition for the Indian Army Adventure Wing Everest Expedition, organized by Seven Summit Treks.

"Massive congratulations to the legendary Kami Rita Sherpa on his 31st successful ascent of Everest — the highest number of ascents by anyone in history," Seven Summit Treks said.

Who is Kami Rita?

"Kami Rita Sherpa needs no introduction. He is not just a national climbing hero, but a global symbol of Everest itself," the organizers said in a statement.

Rita, born in the Solukhumbu region, which is the heartland of the Sherpa community, first climbed Everest in 1994 while he was working for a commercial expedition.

Since then, he has climbed the 8,849-meter (29,032-foot) mountain almost every year while guiding clients.

A year ago, when he climbed the peak for the 29th and 30th times, he said he was "just working" and did not plan on setting records.

"I am glad for the record, but records are eventually broken," he told AFP news agency in May 2024.

"I am more happy that my climbs help Nepal be recognized in the world."

After Rita, fellow Sherpa guide Pasang Dawa holds the record for the most climbs of Mount Everest. Dawa has made 29 successful ascents of the mountain.

Edited by: Wesley Dockery