26 climbers of five different expeditions have scaled the 8,848 meter peak on Wednesday from the Nepal side. Among them were 18 Nepalis (including Appa Sherpa who scaled Mt Everest for the record 17th time), 2 Norwegians, 3 South Koreans, 1 Swede and 2 Americans.

Similarly, Karma Sherpa, a 29-year-old journalist with state-owned Nepal Television also scaled the highest peak Wednesday. He was part of the Nepal Television-Lions Everest Expedition-2007, an all-Nepali expedition team led by Wangchu Sherpa. By making the successful ascent of Mt Everest, Karma Sherpa has become the second journalist to reach atop the highest peak. Before him, Ang Chhiring Sherpa of Kantipur Daily was the first journalist from the South Asian region to scale Mt. Everest. Three Filipino women climbers – Janet Belarmino, Noelle and Carina Dayondon – also reached the summit on Wednesday from the Tibet side and set another record in Everest history.

May is the best time for climbing Everest.