Kathmandu: A Nepalese Sherpa has broken the record for the fastest ascent of Mount Everest by more than two hours, reaching the summit just over eight hours after leaving base camp, officials said today (May 21, 2004).

Pemba Dorji Sherpa, 26, scaled the world's highest peak in eight hours 10 minutes, breaking the record set by Lakpa Gelu Sherpa, 36, of 10 hours 46 minutes in May 2003, a tourism ministry official said.

"Pemba reached the 8,848-metre world's tallest summit of Mount Everest at 2:10 am (local time) in eight hours 10 minutes after leaving the base camp at 6 pm Wednesday evening," the official said.

An official announcement was expected later today, he said, asking not to be named.

"Detailed reports about Pemba's record breaking summit ascent in the shortest time is awaited," he added.

Pemba's previous personal record was 12 hours 46 minutes, set on May 23, 2003.

Before leaving for base camp in March, Pemba had announced at a press conference that he would try to beat the speed ascent record set by Lakpa.