Next month, hundreds of people will risk their lives to reach the top of Mount Everest. That is the highest mountain on Earth. Many climbers don’t make it to the top. But Kami Rita Sherpa has reached the summit of Everest 30 times. Last year, he climbed the massive mountain twice in one month. 

Kami Rita is an expert guide on Everest. He helps others reach the top of the world. Without support from guides like Kami Rita, most people couldn’t get there.

Next month, hundreds of people will risk their lives to climb Mount Everest. That is the highest mountain on Earth. Many climbers don’t make it to the top. But Kami Rita Sherpa has reached the summit of Everest 30 times. Last year, he even did it twice in one month. 

Kami Rita is an expert guide on Everest. He helps others reach the top of the world. Without help from guides like Kami Rita, most people couldn’t get there.

Everest sits on the border between China and Nepal. Those are two countries in Asia. The mountain rises more than 5 miles above sea level.

Kami Rita is a member of the Sherpa people. Sherpas live near the mountains of Nepal. They are used to being at a high altitude. Many of them become skilled climbers. (Like a lot of Sherpas, Kami Rita uses “Sherpa” as his last name.)

Sherpas have many important jobs on Everest. Some carry food, tents, and equipment. They help set up the camps where climbers stop to rest on their way up the mountain. The trip is too long and risky to climb all at once. Sherpas also set ladders and safety ropes to prevent climbers from falling. 

Kami Rita’s job as a guide is to safely lead people up and down Everest. If a climber gets hurt or sick, guides carry them to safety. 

Everest is on the border of China and Nepal. Those are two countries in Asia. The mountain rises more than 5 miles above sea level.

Kami Rita is a member of the Sherpa people. Sherpas live near the mountains of Nepal. They live at a high altitude. Many of them become skilled climbers. (Like many Sherpas, Kami Rita uses “Sherpa” as his last name.)

Sherpas have many jobs on Everest. Some carry food, tents, and equipment. They help set up the camps. That’s where climbers rest on their way up the mountain. The trip is too long and risky to do all at once. Sherpas also set ladders and safety ropes. The ropes help prevent climbers from falling. 

Kami Rita’s job as a guide is to lead people up and down Everest. If a climber gets hurt or sick, guides carry them to safety.

The journey to the top of Everest can take several weeks. And there is danger at every turn. Blinding snowstorms can appear out of nowhere. Strong winds can knock climbers off their feet. Plus, temperatures near the top of the mountain are always below freezing.  

At about 26,000 feet, climbers enter an area called the Death Zone. The air at that height has little oxygen. That can make it hard to breathe. Most climbers wear special oxygen masks. Still, some people get so weak and dizzy that they can’t make it to the top. 

More than 320 people have died on Everest since the 1920s. That includes more than 100 Sherpas. They are at greater risk than other climbers. That is because they have to pass through the most hazardous sections many times. 

The trip to the top of Everest can take many weeks. And there is danger everywhere. Snowstorms can appear suddenly. Strong winds can knock climbers off their feet. Plus, it’s always below freezing near the top of the mountain.  

At about 26,000 feet, climbers enter an area called the Death Zone. The air has little oxygen there. That can make it hard to breathe. Most climbers wear special oxygen masks. Still, some people get so weak and dizzy that they can’t make it to the top.

More than 320 people have died on Everest since the 1920s. That includes more than 100 Sherpas. They are at more risk than other climbers. They have to pass through the most hazardous areas many times.   

Why would hundreds of Sherpas do such a dangerous job? One answer is money. There aren’t many high-paying jobs where Sherpas live. A typical worker in Nepal earns about $1,400 per year. But experienced guides like Kami Rita can earn $10,000 or more for a single trip up the mountain.  

Kami Rita plans to climb Everest again this year. After 30 years on the job, he says there is still something amazing about the journey.

“It’s not about getting to the top of the mountain,” he says. “It’s about helping different people make their big dreams come true.”

Why would many Sherpas do such dangerous work? One answer is money. There aren’t many high-paying jobs where Sherpas live. A typical worker in Nepal earns about $1,400 a year. But expert guides can earn $10,000 or more for a single trip up the mountain.  

Kami Rita plans to climb Everest again this year. After 30 years on the job, he says the journey is still amazing. 

“It’s not about getting to the top of the mountain,” he says. “It’s about helping different people make their big dreams come true.”