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KATHMANDU: Renowned climbing guide Kami Rita Sherpa (pic) has reached the summit of Mount Everest for the 29th time, breaking his own record for the most successful ascents of the world's highest peak.

The 54-year-old guide reached the summit on Sunday and is currently descending, Khimlal Gautam, a government officer stationed at Everest Base Camp, told dpa.

Confirming the ascent, chairman of Seven Summit Treks Mingma Sherpa  told dpa that Kami Rita achieved the feat while leading a group of climbers to the summit.

With this accomplishment, Kami Rita extends his lead over fellow guide Pasang Dawa Sherpa who has 27 ascents of Mount Everest. Both claim they achieved the feat in pursuit of livelihood and the record was never their priority.

Born in the foothills of Everest to the ethnic Sherpa community, Kami Rita started his career as a porter before becoming a climbing guide. He has scaled Everest almost every year since his first successful ascent in 1994, according to the Guinness Book of World Records.

Sherpas' mountaineering expertise and local knowledge is critical to the safe passage of the hundreds of climbers who ascend Everest every year.

Nepal's Department of Tourism has issued permits to 414 climbers this season.

Nepal is home to eight of the world's 14 highest peaks, all above 8,000 metres.