Sherpa off to scale Mt Qomolangma 19th time

A Sherpa guide who holds the record for most climbs up Mount Qomolangma set off yesterday on a new expedition to scale the world's highest mountain for a 19th time.

Appa, who like most Sherpas goes by only one name, flew out of the capital, Kathmandu, with his team yesterday for the small airstrip at Lukla, from where they will trek to Qomolangma's base camp and spend a few days acclimatizing and preparing for their summit bid in May.

"Everest is not easy to climb, but after scaling the summit so many times, I am more confident and experienced," Appa said. "It should not be too difficult but I have to always be careful."