Hundreds of Everest climbers begin to return from summit

Hundreds of climbers who scaled Mount Everest over the last few days amid favourable weather conditions have begun to return safely down the mountain.

A Nepali Sherpa broke her own record reaching the 29,032ft summit for the 10th time – the most times any woman has climbed Everest.

Lakpa Sherpa said she is next planning to scale the world’s second-highest peak, K2 in Pakistan.

The 48-year-old, who lives in the US with her three children, started her climbing career carrying gear and supplies for other trekkers.

British climber Kenton Cool, who scaled Everest for the 16th time, set the record for the most Everest summits by a non-Nepalese climber.

Ukrainian climber Antonina Samoilova said she hoped her achievement would call more attention to the war in her country.

Hundreds of foreign climbers and an equal number of Sherpa guides had signed up to attempt climbs of Everest this month, when weather conditions in the Himalayan peaks are most favourable.