[1/5] Kami Rita Sherpa, 53, a Nepali Mountaineer who climbed Mount Everest for a record 28 times, poses for a picture at his rented apartment in Kathmandu, Nepal May 28, 2023.
REUTERS/Navesh ChitrakarKATHMANDU, May 29 (Reuters) - Kami Rita Sherpa had stood at the top of world just days earlier, exultant at having summited Mount Everest for a record 28th time.
The country earned $5.8 million in permit fees - $5 million from Mount Everest alone – during this year's March-May climbing season.
Expeditions hiring sherpas must take out life insurance for them, but the pay out is just 1.5 million Nepali rupees (about $11,300).
"This should be increased to 5 million rupees (about $38,000)," said Kami Rita, gently rubbing a bruise on his cheek.