British mountaineer Kenton Cool has achieved a remarkable feat by scaling Mount Everest for the 19th time, setting a new record for the most climbs by a non-sherpa. The 51-year-old reached the summit, which stands at 8,849m (29,000ft), at 11:00 local time (04:15 GMT) on Sunday, accompanied by Nepali sherpa Dorji Gyaljen.

Cool's journey with Everest began in 2004, and he has summited the mountain almost every year since. Dorji Gyaljen, his climbing partner, marked his 23rd ascent of Everest. The overall record for the most Everest summits is held by Nepali sherpa Kami Rita, with 30 ascents, and he is currently on the mountain aiming to extend his record.

This achievement follows the tragic deaths of at least two climbers, Subrata Ghosh from India and Philipp "PJ" Santiago II from the Philippines, on Mount Everest this week.

In 2022, after his 16th Everest climb, Cool expressed surprise at the attention his record received, acknowledging that many Nepali sherpas have surpassed it. In a recent Instagram post, four days before his latest summit, Cool shared his optimism about the weather forecast, expressing hope for a safe climb with manageable numbers of climbers.

Fellow climbers have lauded Cool's accomplishment. American adventurer Adrian Ballinger described him as an invaluable member of the Everest community, citing his extensive experience, charisma, and strength. Jordanian mountaineer Mostafa Salameh, renowned for conquering the highest mountains on all seven continents and reaching both poles, also congratulated Cool on his achievement.

Kenton Cool is also a respected mountain guide, having led notable figures such as British explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes on various climbs, including Everest.