Everest has always been a trophy, but now that almost 4,000 people have reached its summit, some more than once, the feat means less than it did a half century ago. Today, roughly 90 percent of the climbers on Everest are guided clients, many without basic climbing skills.

Yes, thousands of people have successfully reached the summit of Mount Everest since the first confirmed ascent by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay in 1953. As of the end of 2025, there have been approximately 13,737 successful summits recorded in history. This total represents 7,563 unique individuals, as many elite climbers and Sherpas have summited the mountain multiple times. For instance, the legendary Kami Rita Sherpa holds the world record with 30 successful ascents as of mid-2024. The popularity of the mountain has surged dramatically in the 21st century; more than 70% of all historical summits have occurred since the year 2000. Despite the high success rate for commercial expeditions, the "Death Zone" remains a formidable challenge, with over 340 recorded fatalities over the past century. Modern climbing has become a highly organized industry, with hundreds of climbers attempting the peak each spring during the narrow "weather window," utilizing extensive fixed ropes, supplemental oxygen, and the essential support of highly skilled Himalayan guides.