Climbers

Across rock, ice, and towering peaks, women have continually redefined what’s possible in climbing. From pioneering ascents to record-breaking achievements, their courage, skill, and resilience have shaped the history of the sport. This page celebrates female climbers — the firsts, the fastest, the youngest, and the boldest — whose stories inspire others to dream bigger and climb higher.

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Notable Female Climbers and Achievements

 

Mountaineering

• First woman ever to reach the summit of Mount Everest (8,848 m) – Junko Tabei (Japan) — 16 May 1975

• First woman to summit both Everest and neighbouring 27,940-foot Lhotse in 24 hours – Hilaree Nelson (USA) — 25 May 2012

• First woman to climb all 14 eight-thousand-metre peaks – Edurne Pasaban (Spain) — 17 May 2010

• Fastest woman to climb all 14 eight-thousand-metre peaks – Kristin Harila (Norway) — 4 May 2023

• First Nepalese woman to summit Everest – Pasang Lhamu Sherpa (Nepal) — 22 April 1993

• First woman to summit Everest without supplementary oxygen or Sherpa support – Alison Hargreaves (UK) — 13 May 1995

• Youngest woman to summit K2 (8 611 m) – Adriana Brownlee (UK) — 29 July 2022

• Oldest woman to climb Mount Everest – Tamae Watanabe (Japan) — 19 May 2012 (aged 73)

• First Indian woman to summit Everest – Bachendri Pal (India) — 23 May 1984

• First woman to climb Nanga Parbat (8,126 m) – Liliane Barrard (France) — 1984

 

Rock Climbing & Sport Climbing

• First woman to climb 9b/5.15b – Angela Eiter (Austria) — “La Planta de Shiva” (Spain), 2017

• World's first-ever female climber to onsight an 8c (5.14b) – Janja Garnbret (Slovenia) — 2021

• Youngest person (male or female) to climb 9a/5.14d – Ashima Shiraishi (USA/Japan) — at age 13, 2015

• First woman to free climb “The Nose,” El Capitan – Lynn Hill (USA) — 1993

• First woman to free climb the Salathé Wall – Steph Davis (USA) — 2005

• First woman in history to climb 9a+/5.15a – Margo Hayes (USA) — “La Rambla,” Spain, 2017

• First-ever female climber in history to onsight a 8c+/5.14c – Laura Rogora (Italy) — 2025

• Youngest person to solve a v14/8b+ boulder problem – Oriane Bertone (France) — age 12 — 2018

 

Bouldering

• First woman to climb V15/8C boulder – Ashima Shiraishi (USA/Japan) — “Horizon,” Japan, 2016

• First woman to climb V16/8C+ boulder – Katie Lamb (USA) — “Box Therapy,” Colorado, 28th July 2023

• First female to solve 8A+/8B (V12/13) boulders – Babsi Zangerl (Austria) — 2008

• Most bouldering climbing World Cup victories by a woman (five overall titles) – Sandrine Levet (France) — 2005

• Most gold medals won at the IFSC Climbing World Cup – Janja Garnbret (Slovenia) — multiple titles (Lead & Boulder), 2016–2024

 

Ice & Mixed Climbing

• First woman to lead M13 (mixed climbing) – Ines Papert (Germany) — “Mission Impossible,” 2007

• First woman to climb mixed grade M14 – Lucie Hrozová (Czech Republic) — “Iron Man” (M14) at Eptingen, Switzerland, February 2013