Apa Sherpa bids adieu to Mt. Everest

In this April 6, 2011 file photo, Nepalese veteran mountaineer Apa Sherpa waves to supporters at the airport before leaving for Mount Everest on an expedition to clear away tons of trash left on the world's highest peak, in Kathmandu. The record climber said he would not climb the world’s highest peak again, local media reported Monday.

Record Mount Everest climber Apa Sherpa said will not climb the world’s highest peak again, local media reported Monday.

“I have declared that from now onward, I won’t climb beyond the base camp,” the Republica quoted the 51-year-old mountaineer as saying.

He made his first ascent of the 8,848—metre Mount Everest in 1990 and climbed the mountain for the 21st time earlier this month, raising his own record.

“However, I will fully support the Eco Everest Expedition and its initiatives for the protection of the mountain environment.” Apa Sherpa has been involved in the annual Everest clean—up campaign for the past three years.

Mount Everest has been become increasingly polluted as people leave behind empty cans, bottles, oxygen canisters and climbing equipment.

Bodies of deceased climbers have also been left on the summit. Since 1953, 250 deaths of climbers have been reported from the mountain and more than 5,000 people have ascended it.

Apa Sherpa, born in the Everest region, moved to the United States in 2006.