British Mountaineer Kenton Cool Achieves Record 19th Everest Ascent

British mountain guide Kenton Cool has set a new record by summiting Mount Everest 19 times, the most ascents by a non-Sherpa climber. Since his first successful climb in 2004, Cool has returned almost every year, overcoming serious injury and interruptions due to weather and the pandemic. He follows the popular Southeast Ridge route pioneered by Hillary and Tenzing in 1953, with many climbers attempting this path each season. Despite his record, Cool humbly acknowledges that Sherpa climbers, particularly Kami Rita who holds the overall record with 30 ascents, have far surpassed his achievements. The 2025 climbing season has seen increased activity with over 50 summits so far, although the risks remain high as evidenced by recent fatalities. Cool’s ongoing pursuit highlights both the personal drive of mountaineers and the growing challenges posed by weather, crowding, and environmental factors on Everest.