Kenton Cool Achieves Milestone with 19th Mount Everest Summit

British mountaineer Kenton Cool successfully summited Mount Everest for the 19th time this Monday, establishing a new benchmark for the most ascents by a non-Nepali climber.

Cool, aged 51, reached the 8,849-meter (29,032-foot) summit alongside Nepali climber Dorji Gyaljen, who marked his 23rd successful climb. Reports confirm the achievement.

Cool’s relationship with Everest started in 2004, and since then, he has summited the peak almost annually. The only exceptions were 2014 and 2015, when an avalanche and an earthquake, respectively, prevented his ascent, and 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite his considerable success, Cool often acknowledges the accomplishments of his Nepali counterparts, many of whom have surpassed his number of ascents.

Dorji Gyaljen, his climbing partner for this climb, is known for his extensive experience within the mountaineering community.

Kami Rita holds the record for the most summits, with 30 ascents, and is currently attempting his 31st.

Cool’s latest summit occurs during the busy spring climbing season on Everest. This period offers favorable weather, enabling climbers from various countries to attempt their summit bids before the monsoon season begins.

Cool’s initial ascent was in 2004, followed by climbs in 2005 and 2006. Notably, he achieved two summits in 2007.

His successful streak continued with summits in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013.

After interruptions due to natural events and the pandemic, he resumed his Everest climbs in 2016, adding more summits in 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and culminating in his recent 2025 ascent, which marks his 19th successful climb.