In probability theory, there is the law of large numbers. For example, if I throw the dice 10,000 times, I come closer to the probability of throwing a six every sixth attempt than if I only try 100 times.
There is also a law of large numbers in mountaineering: the more often I climb high peaks, the more likely I am to be noticed. On Mount Everest, where the season is coming to an end as the monsoon approaches, the personal records have been tumbling these days.
29th summit success for Pa Dawa Sherpa
Pasang Dawa (Pa Dawa) Sherpa reached the highest point on earth at 8,849 meters for the 28th time on 15 May and for the 29th time on 20 May. Only Kami Rita Sherpa has more Everest ascents to his name with 30 summit successes.
Pema Chhiring Sherpa stood on the roof of the world for the 24th time this spring. The Briton Kenton Cool for the 19th time; Tendi Sherpa for the 18th time; the US-American Garrett Madison for the 15th time.
Gyalu Sherpa summits Kangchenjunga three times
Tashi Gyalzen Sherpa reached the summit of Everest – as reported previously – four times this season, more often than anyone before in one year. At this point, it should also be mentioned that Gyalu Sherpa stood on the 8,586-meter-high summit of Kangchenjunga three times this spring. Without high-performing Sherpas – such as those mentioned here by way of example – only a fraction of the summit successes on Nepal’s eight-thousanders would be possible.
This also applies to Lakpa “Makalu” Sherpa. First he led the rope-fixing teams to the summits of Makalu and Dhaulagiri, then he led a successful expedition of Seven Summit Treks on Kangchenjunga – without climbing the third highest peak on earth himself. Hats off to these strong mountaineers from Nepal!
P.S.: The so-called “Race on Everest” between the speed climbers Karl Egloff – who has a Swiss and an Ecuadorian passport – and the US-American Tyler Andrews, which was hyped by many media, failed due to the weather.
Egloff, who set off without oxygen, turned back at Camp 3 at around 7,300 meters, Andrews above the South Col. Due to the stormy weather, Tyler had already decided before his start at base camp to use a breathing mask in the upper part of the mountain.
Update 27 May: Lakpa “Makalu” Sherpa also summited Kangchenjunga today. And Kami Rita Sherpa recorded his 31st Everest summit success!
