Famous Women Who Climbed Everest: Firsts, Records and Inspiring Stories
Sujata PokhrelEveryone knows Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa as the first climbers of Mount Everest, but who was the first woman to achieve this success? Mount Everest has always stood out as a difficult dream to achieve, and for a long time, climbing high peaks such as Everest was considered a man’s task. Not until a few famous women who climbed Everest and made the dream accessible to all!
This preconceived narrative began to shift when famous women Everest climbers broke barriers, shattered stereotypes, and proved that determination knows no gender. These well-known female mountaineers revolutionized the culture of adventure and the act of climbing a mountain.
Among the thousands who have risked the heights of the Himalayas, women who climbed Everest forged their own trail with courage, resilience, and deeply personal stories of triumph and loss.
Let’s go through the blog to learn about some of the most famous women who climbed Everest and hear their inspiring stories as they shaped the mountaineering story.
Top 21 Famous Women Who Climbed Everest
Junko Tabei: First Woman to Summit Everest
The mighty Japanese women who dreamed of defying the norms of mountaineering broke all records by being first women to climb Everest with her own all-women expedition teal. She summited the mighty peak on May 16, 1975 through the south-east ridge and continued on with mountaineering journey to her last breath.
Despite limited resources, social discouragement, and surviving an avalanche during her expedition, Tabei continued climbing with quiet determination. Her success opened the doors for generations of female climbers worldwide and cemented her name among legendary famous female mountaineers.
If you are intrigued to learn more about her accomplishments, read the blog titled as First Woman to Climb Everest.
Lydia Bradey: First Women to Ascent Without Supplementary Oxygen
Lydia Bradey reached the summit of Everest without bottled oxygen, a feat that many at the time believed was practically impossible for a woman. This New Zealander summited Everest on October 14,1998 and made the record of first women to summit Everest with supplementary oxygen.
Although surrounded by controversy due to permit issues and debates, her climb remains one of the bravest high-altitude achievements ever recorded. Bradey is often described as one of the strongest famous women Everest climbers of all time.
Pasang Lhamu Sherpa: First Nepali Woman to Summit Everest
How can one forget the very first Sherpa woman from Nepal who made a history on the summit of Everest in April 22, 1993. However, Pasang Lhamu Sherpa‘s heroic act made a tragic incident while descending down the tricky slopes causing her demise on April 23.
Yet, the Nepali government recognized her adventure and announced her a national icon. The stories about her are still read aloud in school text books and more. There are a number of roads, statues, and awards named after her in her honor.
Her legacy continues to inspire Sherpa women to pursue mountaineering despite social and economic barriers.
Francys Arsentiev: Sleeping Beauty of Everest
Often known as the sleeping beauty of Everest, Francys Arsentiev is one of the most famous women to climb Everest and die on Everest too. She was the first American women to climb Everest without supplemental oxygen on May 22. 1998. It was actually a couple achievement as she climbed the summit with her husband Sergei Arsentiev.
However, during the descent, they got separated finding it difficult to descend as they reached summit very late. Her husband went down to fetch some whelp but the harsh climate of Everest got her. Since then she had remained as a landmark on the trial to Everest until her husband’s search team discovered and gave her a god farewell.
Pemba Doma Sherpa
As a third Nepalese woman to climb Everest and the first one to climb it from North Pemba Doma Sherpa was another heroic legend of Nepal. She first climbed Everest on May 29, 2000 for the very first time and that also from the difficult trails of the left side. Later on, she made another attempt to climb the Everest from south side and achieved the success on May 16, 2002.
Known for her strength and humility, she was one of the most respected female Everest climbers until her tragic death on Lhotse in 2007.
Lhakpa Sherpa
It wouldn’t be wrong to say that Lhakpa Sherpa started a legacy of record-breaking climbs with her first climb beginning in the year 2001. She holds the record for the most Everest summits by any woman, with more than 10 successful ascents.
Growing up in a remote village, she had no formal education, yet she went on to become one of the most accomplished famous women Everest climbers in history. Her life story is a powerful example of resilience in the face of hardship.
Arunima Sinha
Proving that not just the gender, even a physical impairment can’t stop women from climbing Everest, Arunima Shah became the first amputee women to climb Everest in 2013.
Former national volleyball player Arunima Sinha lost her leg after being pushed from a moving train. Instead of letting her life end there, she turned her tragedy into purpose. She set a goal to climb Everest with a prosthetic leg and achieved it on 2013 even though she had been preparing an trying since 2003.
Sophia Dannenberg
Sophia is the first black women to climb Everest who achieved this feat on May 19, 2006. The American black woman was a mountaineer and environmental policy expert who just intended to climb the mountain of her dreams without making any noise. Thus, she climbed with almost no publicity nor did any large expedition company backed her up.
Tamae Watanabe
A Japanese woman Tamae Watanabe holds the record of the oldest woman to climb Everest. She first climbed the mountain at the age of 63 in 2002. Later on in 2012, she dared the adventure once again at the age of 73 years to make the record as the oldest women who climbed Everest twice. Her achievement reminds the world that age is no barrier to adventure when passion leads the way.
Anshu Jamsenpa
The Indian mountaineer Anshu Jamsenpa holds the record of the fastest female double ascent. he made a double ascent of Everest in just five days in 2011 and later became the first woman to summit Everest twice in a single season (2017). Her achievements place her firmly among the most famous female mountaineers of modern times.
Melissa Arnot
Melissa Arnot Reinstein became the first American woman to climb and descend Everest without additional oxygen, completing a historic and extremely challenging ascent.
She made her ascent of Everest in 2016 and also became the first women to do the seven summits without oxygen. A professional guide and advocate for women in the outdoors, she continues to mentor young female climbers.
Poorna Malvatha
Poorna Malvatha is the youngest women to climb Everest. This little Indian girl dared this challenging journey as a social empowerment campaign to motivate youth in rural areas to pursue exceptional things.
She summited Everest on May 25, 2014 just at the age of 13 years and 11 months, just a few years elder than Jordan. This achievement made her the first youngest female climber on Everest. She also followed the same route as Jordan to pursue her dream.
Check the blog to find more on youngest person to climb Everest.
Tashi and Nungshi Malik: First Twin Women to Climb Everest
Tashi and Nungshi Malik, popularly known as the “Everest Twins,” made history as the first twin sisters in the world to summit Mount Everest on May 19, 2013. Born in Dehradun, India, the Malik sisters grew up with a strong spirit of adventure and a father who encouraged them to break barriers rather than fit into traditional expectations.
Their climb became a symbol of women empowerment and limitless potential of women in Everest. The twins later went on to complete the Explorers Grand Slam and the Seven Summits, becoming global icons for girls who dream beyond boundaries.
Nangsal Choedon Lama: Double Ascent Within Two Days
Nangsal Choedon Lama became the first Nepali female climber to complete the Everest and Lhotse traverse in under 48 hours. She achieved this feat in on May 23, 2024 demonstrating the power, precision, and high-altitude capability.
Purnima Shrestha: Climbed 3 Times in A Month
Photojournalist-turned-mountaineer Purnima Shrestha made three successful summit ascents in May 2024 (12th, 19th, and 25th). Her achievement reflects extraordinary endurance and places her among the most remarkable women who climbed Everest in recent history.
Defying Social Norms and Making Histories
The famous women climbers didn’t just climb Everest and made record-breaking histories, they also broke the barriers making way for young adventurers. Their accomplishments serve as a reminder that pioneers aren’t always the loudest. Some just take the initiatives in silence when others take a backseat and leave not putting an effort to change.
From Purnima Shrestha’s triple summits in 2024 to Junko Tabei’s initial ascent in 1975, these well-known female Everest climbers have increased the possibilities for future generations of explorers. Their stories continue to inspire, challenge, and encourage people, especially young girls, to dream fearlessly and chase the mountains that call them.
FAQs
Expand AllWho was the first woman to climb Mount Everest?
Junko Tabei of Japan was the first woman to climb Mount Everest. She reached the summit on May 16, 1975, via the Southeast Ridge. Her historic ascent opened the doors for women in high-altitude mountaineering.
Who has climbed Everest the most times woman?
Lhakpa Sherpa holds the world record for the most Everest summits by a woman, with 10+ successful ascents. Her record makes her one of the most accomplished female Everest climbers in history.
How many women have climbed Mount Everest?
As of 2024, over 750 women from around the world have successfully climbed Mount Everest. The number continues to grow each season as more women enter high-altitude climbing.
Who was the first Indian woman to climb Everest?
Bachendri Pal became the first Indian woman to summit Mount Everest on May 23, 1984.
Who was the first Nepali woman to climb Everest?
Pasang Lhamu Sherpa became the first Nepali woman to reach the summit on April 22, 1993. She tragically died during her descent the following day.
Has any woman climbed Everest without oxygen?
Yes, some women have climbed Everest without oxygen. Lydia Bradey of New Zealand became the first woman to summit Everest without supplemental oxygen on October 14, 1988.
Later, Melissa Arnot (USA) also summited and descended without oxygen in 2016.
Who is the youngest female to climb Everest?
Malavath Purna of India is the youngest woman to climb Everest. She summited at 13 years and 11 months old in 2014.
Who was the first female amputee to climb Everest?
Arunima Sinha of India was the first female amputee to summit Everest in 2013, climbing with a prosthetic leg after surviving a train accident.
How many times has Lhakpa Sherpa climbed Everest?
Lhakpa Sherpa has climbed Everest 10 times (with some sources listing 11). She holds the world record for the most ascents by any woman.
Who was the first Black woman to summit Everest?
Sophia Danenberg, an American mountaineer, became the first Black woman to summit Everest on May 19, 2006.
Which woman climbed Everest twice in one season?
Anshu Jamsenpa of India became the first woman to summit Everest twice in a single season. She completed her fastest double ascent within just 5 days (2011) and repeated a double ascent again in 2017.
Who died on Everest female?
Several women have died on Everest. The most well-known include:
- Francys Arsentiev (USA) – known as the “Sleeping Beauty of Everest,” died in 1998
- Pasang Lhamu Sherpa (Nepal) – died during descent in 1993
- Pemba Doma Sherpa (Nepal) – died on Lhotse but is often mentioned in Everest history
Who were the first twins to climb Everest?
Tashi and Nungshi Malik from India became the first twin sisters in the world to summit Everest on May 19, 2013.
Who is the oldest woman to summit Everest?
Tamae Watanabe of Japan is the oldest woman to climb Everest. She set the record at 73 years old in 2012.
Who is the Indian woman with most Everest summits?
Anshu Jamsenpa holds the record for the most Everest summits by an Indian woman, with five successful ascents.
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