Rhisael “Ric” R. Rabe, BS Applied Physics ’96, has successfully reached the summit of Mt.  Everest in Nepal, the highest mountain on Earth.

According to the official Facebook page of his team, Makalu Adventure, they reached the summit at 7:15 AM on 15 May 2025, after beginning their expedition in early April as part of this year’s Everest climbing season. Rabe’s achievement marks the first confirmed ascent by a Filipino in nearly two decades, following Regidor “Regie” Pablo, who last reached the summit on 17 May 2007.

Towering at 8,848.86 meters above sea level (masl), Mt. Everest is widely regarded as one of the most perilous mountaineering challenges in the world, requiring weeks of acclimatization, advanced technical skills, and extreme physical endurance.