Incredible People Who Broke Records On Mount Everest
Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world at 29,028 feet and 9 inches. One of the first people to lead an expedition to the summit was Englishman George Mallory. He died not far from its peak in 1924, but his body wasn't discovered until 1999. Nearly 300 people have died trying to reach Everest's summit, but that hasn't deterred climbers from attempting their own expeditions to become king of the mountain.
Over the years, some amazing people have reached the summit and broken some incredible records. One person was blind. Another had no legs. A third broke a speed record. Still, more were elderly, battling major health conditions, or opting to climb without oxygen. One climber wasn't even old enough to legally drive a car. It's difficult to decide which climber over the past 60-plus years accomplished the most impressive climbing feat. Just arriving at the summit alone is impressive!
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Mark Inglis: First Double-Leg Amputee To Reach The Summit
On May 15, 2006, Mark Inglis from New Zealand became the first-ever double amputee to reach the summit of Mt. Everest.
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Percival Hillary & Sherpa Tenzing Norgay: First People To Reach The Summit
Edmund Percival Hillary from New Zealand and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay were the first two people to reach the summit of Everest on May 29, 1953.
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Reinhold Messner: First To Climb To The Summit Alone
After reaching the summit in 1978 without supplemental oxygen, Italian Reinhold Messner broke another record by becoming the first to climb Mt. Everest solo on August 20, 1980.
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Sudarshan Gautam: First Double-Arm Amputee To Reach The Summit
On May 20, 2013, Sudarshan Gautam reached the top of Mt. Everest. He has no arms and did not use a prosthetic to make the ascent.
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Apa Sherpa, Phurba Tashi Sherpa, Kami Rita Sherpa: Highest Number Of Times Reaching The Summit
On May 11, 2011, Apa Sherpa from Nepal reached the summit for the 21st time. His record was matched by Phurba Tashi Sherpa on May 19, 2013, and Kami Rita Sherpa in 2017.
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Yuichiro Miura: Oldest Man To Reach The Summit
In 2003, Japanese alpinist Yuichiro Miura became the oldest person to reach the summit at age 70. His record was later broken, but Miura, who had two heart surgeries in 2006 and 2007, reached the summit again in 2008 at the age of 75 and again in 2013 at age 80, once again breaking the record. Unfortunately, he couldn't make the descent and had to be airlifted back down to base camp.
