On May 20, 2026, a record 274 climbers successfully reached the summit of Mount Everest from the Nepalese southern route in a single day, according to officials from the Expedition Operators Association Nepal.
The climbers capitalized on a rare window of clear weather, enabling a large number to ascend the world’s tallest peak on the same day. Association representative Rishi Ram Bhandari told Reuters the total could increase, as some climbers had not yet reported their summits to base camp.
This figure surpasses the previous high of 223 climbers reaching Everest’s peak on the Nepalese side in one day, recorded in 2019. That year, the Chinese northern route saw 113 climbers summit. However, the Chinese side remains closed for this season, focusing all attempts on the Nepalese route.
Notable Ascents and Season Overview
Earlier in the week, veteran Sherpa guide Kami Rita set a new personal record by reaching the summit for the 32nd time, extending his own global mountaineering record. Fellow Sherpa climber Pasang Dawa scaled Everest for the 30th time in the same season. Lakpa Sherpa also broke records by summiting 11 times, the highest count by a female climber.
The 2026 climbing season on Everest began later than usual due to the danger posed by a large serac—a precarious ice formation—threatening the main climbing route. Approximately 494 climbers and an equal number of Sherpa guides are expected to attempt summiting before the official season ends later this month.
Concerns over Summit Congestion
Experts have long expressed concern about the safety risks involved with large numbers of climbers attempting Everest simultaneously, citing dangerous bottlenecks near the summit. In response, Nepalese authorities have introduced stricter regulations and increased fees to better control the flow of climbers on the mountain.
Background
Mount Everest was first successfully climbed on May 29, 1953, by New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Sherpa guide Tenzing Norgay. Since then, thousands of climbers have reached its 29,032-foot peak, making it the most sought-after summit in the mountaineering world.
Sources
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