Record Everest Summit for Kenton Cool
Renowned British mountaineer Kenton Cool has reached the summit of Mount Everest for a record-breaking 19th time, the most ascents by any non-Sherpa climber. The 51-year-old achieved the feat on Sunday at 11:00 local time (04:15 GMT), accompanied by Nepali Sherpa Dorji Gyaljen.
Cool first conquered the 8,849m (29,000ft) peak in 2004 and has returned nearly every year since, steadily building his legacy on the world’s tallest mountain.
His climbing partner, Dorji Gyaljen, notched his own impressive milestone with his 23rd successful summit. Meanwhile, fellow Nepali Sherpa Kami Rita, who holds the all-time record with 30 Everest ascents, is currently back on the mountain in pursuit of a new benchmark.
Cool’s latest climb comes during a challenging week on Everest, marked by the deaths of two climbers — Subrata Ghosh of India and Philipp “PJ” Santiago II from the Philippines.
Despite his accomplishments, Cool has remained humble. After completing his 16th ascent in 2022, he downplayed the significance of his record, highlighting the far greater numbers achieved by many Sherpa climbers. “I’m really surprised by the interest… considering that so many of the Sherpas have so many more ascents,” he said in an interview with AFP at the time.
Just four days before this year’s summit, Cool shared on Instagram that he had finally received a favorable weather forecast. “Let’s hope we manage to thread the needle with regard to the number of climbers and have a safe and enjoyable time up high,” he wrote.
The mountaineering community has celebrated Cool’s accomplishment. American adventurer Adrian Ballinger, who is currently leading a team on Everest, praised Cool as a “great person to share stories from two decades on the mountain,” citing his “experience, charisma, and strength” as invaluable assets to the Everest community.
Jordanian climber Mostafa Salameh, one of only 20 people to complete the Seven Summits and reach both the North and South Poles, called the achievement “amazing.”
Beyond his personal climbs, Cool is also a respected mountain guide. Among his notable clients is British explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes, whom he has led on several significant expeditions — including Everest.
