Nepali climber scales Mount Everest for 20th time

Kathmandu, May 22 (ANI): Nepali climber Apa Sherpa has made it to the top of the world's highest peak, Mount Everest, for the 20th time.

"I am thankful to have been able to climb Mount Everest for the 20th time," Apa said in a statement.

"I climbed this year to raise awareness about the Apa Sherpa Foundation, which is dedicated to increasing educational opportunities for people in the Himalayan Region. I also climbed to bring attention to the damage done to the Himalayas because of global climate change," the statement added.

Apa made the summit of the 29,035-foot mountain on Friday, climbing through the Hillary Step on the way.

The 50-year-old had first conquered Everest in 1989, Xinhua news agency reports.

He has also made the summit the past nine years in a row. (ANI)