Mount Everest has revealed many secrets down the years. But among the annals of celebrated triumphs and glorious failures, one of the great Everest achievements has remained a mystery – until now

Lhakpa Sherpa, a 42-year-old mother of three who lives in suburban Connecticut and works at a 7-Eleven shop, has been revealed as the greatest female Everest climber of all time having reached the summit on six occasions, and showing no signs of slowing down.

She is currently at Advanced Base Camp in Tibet and due to make her seventh ascent on May 20 or 21.

There had long been whisperings about an almost-mythical Nepali woman who had conquered Everest half a dozen times.