Himalayan News Service, Kathmandu, 22nd May 2004

This season, yet another record was established. A young sherpa climber today scaled Mt. Everest, the highest peak of the world, in a record time of 8 hours and 10 minutes.

Pemba Dorjee Sherpa is officially the fastest man to reach the summit, beating the previos record of 10 hours, 56 minutes and 46 seconds, set by Laskpa Gelu, a veteran Sherpa guide who has scaled Everest 10 times.

Pemba's new record has placed him as the fastest man to reach Everest.

On May 26, 2003, Lakpa and bettered Pemba's earlier record of 12 hours just three days after the former set it.

Appa Sherpa, 42, highest number of ascents (13 times)

"I never intended to set any records. In fact for this latest ascet I had a tough time convincing my wife to let me go at all, especially as I had announced my retirement last year. However, the situation engulfed me hen I could not deny the team with which I had been in the past five summits, called me for the expeditioin after they had already acquired permit. As I was not looking to set records, I do not feel any threat from yournger climbers".

Yiuchiro Miura, 70, oldest summiter

"It is all the hard work for the past five years I had been practicing mountainn climbing. I am proud that I made it to the top of the world at this age. I expect my ascent to set an example among elederly people. It is not just my dream to be at the top of the world, but of all mountain climbers. Everest is as demanding as it was in the earlier days. It was nice to be at the top and experience peace and happiness. I felt the ascent very difficult but getting down to base camp was dangerous".