KATHMANDU: Two Sherpa climbers are all set to hold the world record for most summits on Mt Everest this season, according to expedition organisers. Kami Rita Sherpa (48) from Thame village of Solukhumbu district will be leaving for Mt Everest early next week to attempt to climb the world’s highest peak from Nepal side for the 22nd time while woman climber Lhakpa Sherpa (45) will be ascending Mt Everest from Tibet side for the 9th time. “I do climb mountains not only for a record but because it’s my passion,” Sherpa who stood atop Mt Everest 21 times, tying him with Apa Sherpa and Phurba Tashi Sherpa for the world record last year, said, adding, “My aim is to reach the Mt Everest summit 25 times.” Sherpa climbed Mt Everest for the first time in 1994 when he was 24. Sherpa has already climbed most of the peaks above 8,000 m including K2, Cho-oyu, Lhoste and Annapurna among others. “Being a head Sherpa of the team, Kami Rita will be a part of the expedition organised by Seven Summit Treks.” Born in Makalu VDC of Sankhuwasabha, Lhakpa Sherpa has a plan to break her own record on Mt Everest this season by standing atop the world’s highest peak for the 9th time. Lhakpa scaled Mt Everest from Tibet side for the 8th time in the last spring season. Without having any formal training on mountain climbing, Lhakpa, who grew up with 11 siblings, first climbed Mt Everest from Nepal side in 2000. Except Lhakpa, no other woman in the world has scaled the peak so many times till date. “She is going to break her own record this season,” Mingma Gelu Sherpa, Managing Director at Seven Summit Adventure told THT. According to him, the mother of three will be arriving Kathmandu on April 6 to begin her journey to Mt Everest, being part of an expedition team led by Russian climber Alex Abramov. “She wants to climb Mt Everest for at least 10 times,” he added.