Sherpa sets new Everest summit record

In a week that will see celebrations marking the first summit of Mount Everest Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Sherpa, the record for fastest-ever ascent has been shattered twice in as many days.

Lhakpa Gelu Sherpa, completed the climb yesterday in an unofficial time of 10 hours and 12 min, beating the record Pemba Dorjie set just days ago (12 hrs 45 min), by more than two hours.

This was Lhakpa's second attempt at the Everest ascent record this season having been forced back by bad weather on the 21st.

On May 23, Pemba Dorjie took the record at 12 hrs 45 min, beating by four hours the previous record set in 2000 by Babu Chirri Sherpa. For the climbing fraternity Pemba’s achievement was immediately compared to Roger Bannister’s sub four-minute mile. Lhakpa Gelu's mark is greater still. The summit record has now been clipped by half since 1998.

With two back-to-back speed ascent records, the youngest ascent ever, and the 13th summit by Apa Sherpa, the native climbers have shown themselves to be masters of the 29,000ft Everest. Most poignantly, their achievements add weight to calls for Tensing Sherpa to be recognised for his part in the 1953 Everest ascent.

Tenzing's grandson Tenzing Norgay has said that it was unjustifiable for Hillary to be awarded a knighthood and for his Sherpa colleague to be overlooked.

(GMcG)