KATHMANDU: All 27 members of Kaitu Expeditions' Spring 2026 team, 11 international climbers and 16 Nepali climbing guides, successfully summited Mount Everest (8,848.86m) on May 20 under the leadership of veteran IFMGA Guide Nima Tenji Sherpa, Managing Director Dr Nima Namgyal Sherpa confirmed. 

Summit times ranged from 9:21am to 2:15pm Nepal Time. The team is currently descending to Camp 2 and thereafter to Base Camp, Nima Namgyal added.

The summit roster included two notably young climbers: Li Zixuan, aged 16.9 years, and Li Helen, aged 17 — both from China — adding a generational dimension to an already accomplished team.

The summit push came amid exceptional route congestion on the mountain's upper reaches. Dr Nima Namgyal noted the climb from Camp 4 to the summit took more than 12 hours, with over 200 climbers and Sherpa guides simultaneously pushing for the top and returning on the same route. 

"This year the traffic was terrific," he said, adding that photographs of the season's Everest congestion were likely to draw wide attention.

The expedition was led by two IFMGA-certified guides — Nima Tenji Sherpa and Mingma Chhiri Sherpa — underscoring Kaitu Expeditions' emphasis on professionally certified high-altitude leadership. IFMGA Nima Tenji Sherpa is also the owner of Kaitu Expedition.

International Climbers (China)
Li Zixuan (16.9 yrs), Li Xiangping, Li Helen (17 yrs), Zhao Xiaobin, Zhu Hongwang, Wang Yuantao, Luan Yukun, Chen Jun, Shen Jing, Wanghong Chong, Wang Qingxi.

Climbing Sherpa Guides
IFMGA Nima Tenji Sherpa and IFMGA Mingma Chhiri Sherpa (Climbing Leaders); Ang Pemba Sherpa, Iman Gurung, Ram Bahadur Gurung, Dawa Sherpa, Ngima Dorjee Sherpa, Uttam Gurung, Ngima Karma Topchen, Phurba Thiley Sherpa, Lhakpa Sonam Sherpa, Sujan Gurung, Sonam Tamang, Pasang Sona Sherpa, Palden Sherpa, Tashi Sherpa.