And . . . that’s a record!

Kami Rita stands at the top of the highest peak in the world—29,035 feet in the air. For him, the snowy mountaintop is a familiar sight. He has now climbed Mount Everest 22 times!

Mr. Rita is 48 years old. Before now, he shared the world record for most Everest climbs with two other men. Now it belongs only to him. Like the other two record holders, Mr. Rita is a Sherpa. Sherpas are an ethnic group of people who live near Mount Everest.

Mountaineering has been Mr. Rita’s family tradition. His father was a trail guide. His brother has scaled Everest 17 times. Most of his male relatives have reached the top at least once. Mr. Rita first climbed Everest when he was 24 years old. He has made the trip almost every year since.

And he’s not this year’s only record breaker. Lhakpa Sherpa climbed Everest for the ninth time this May. She broke the record for most Everest climbs for a woman—a record she set herself with her eighth climb. Ms. Sherpa lives in Connecticut and works as a dishwasher. But she grew up in Everest’s shadow just like Mr. Rita did.

Are the new record-breakers done climbing? Both say no. Ms. Sherpa plans to climb next year. And Mr. Rita wants to reach Everest’s peak at least 25 times! “I will continue to climb,” he says. “I have not reached my retirement age, and until I retire I will continue to be a guide on Everest.”