Wanderlust World Wanderlust World Since 1953, Everest has drawn the world's elite climbers. Here are the most notable "firsts" and record-setters:
| Achievement | Name(s) | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Summit | Sir Edmund Hillary (NZ) & Tenzing Norgay (Nepal) | 1953 | South Col route; Hillary Step named later. |
| First Without Supplemental O₂ | Reinhold Messner (IT) & Peter Habeler (AT) | 1978 | Proved 8,848 m possible on ambient air. |
| Most Summits (Male) | Kami Rita Sherpa (Nepal) | 2024 | 30 summits (record as of 2024). |
| Most Summits (Female) | Lhakpa Sherpa (Nepal/USA) | 2023 | 10 summits. |
| First Woman Summit | Junko Tabei (Japan) | 1975 | Also first woman Seven Summits. |
| Youngest Summiteer | Jordan Romero (USA) | 2010 | Age 13 years 10 months (Nepal side, pre-age-limit). |
| Oldest Summiteer | Yuichiro Miura (Japan) | 2013 | Age 80 (also skied down 1970, 2003). |
| First Amputee Summit | Tom Whittaker (USA/UK) | 1998 | Right foot amputated; climbed with prosthesis. |
| Fastest Ascent (Base Camp to Summit) | Pemba Dorje Sherpa (Nepal) | 2004 | 8 hrs 10 min (disputed; Lakpa Gelu 10h 56m verified). |
| First Solo Ascent | Reinhold Messner | 1980 | North side, no O₂, no Sherpa support. |
Thousands of unnamed Sherpas—guides, rope-fixers, porters—make every summit possible. Their expertise, endurance, and sacrifice are the true backbone of Everest climbing.