Mt. Everest

Stories of Strength, Grit, and Triumph

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Mount Everest, towering at 8,848.86 metres (29,031.7 feet), is the highest peak on Earth and a timeless symbol of human resilience, ambition, and adventure. Since the historic first ascent by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay on 29th May 1953, Everest has drawn climbers from all walks of life, each seeking to test their limits against the world’s tallest mountain.

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For decades, Everest mountaineering was a male-dominated pursuit, but women have steadily carved their place in its history. The 16th of May is a particularly significant date in this journey, as it marks the summit days of some of the most trailblazing women in mountaineering history. On 16th May 1975, Junko Tabei of Japan became the first woman to summit Mount Everest, paving the way for generations of female climbers.

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As of December 2024, 870 different women have reached the summit of Mount Everest. Learn more

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Pioneering Women of Everest

Since Tabei’s historic ascent, women from all over the world have conquered Everest, proving that courage, determination, and perseverance transcend gender. Here are some of the first women from various countries to reach the summit:

 

• Junko Tabei (Japan) – 16 May 1975 – First woman in history to climb Mount Everest.

• Phanthog (China) – 27 May 1975 – First woman to summit Everest via the North Face, and first Chinese woman to reach the summit

• Wanda Rutkiewicz (Poland) – 16th October 1978 – First Polish person, the third woman, and the first European woman to reach the top.

• Laurie Skreslet (Canada) – 5 October 1982 – First Canadian woman to reach the summit of Everest.

• Bachendri Pal (India) – 23rd May 1984 – First Indian woman to summit.

• Lydia Bradey (New Zealand) – 14 October 1988 – First woman to summit Everest without supplemental oxygen.

• Santosh Yadav (India) – May 1992 and May 1993 – First woman to summit Everest twice.

• Pasang Lhamu Sherpa (Nepal) – 22nd April 1993 – First Nepalese woman to reach the summit.

• Rebecca Stephens (UK) – 17 May 1993 – First British woman to reach the summit of Everest.

• Alison Hargreaves (UK) – 13 May 1995 – First British woman to summit Everest without oxygen.

• Cathy O’Dowd (South Africa) – 25 May 1996 and 29 May 1999 – First woman to reach the summit from both the south (Nepal) and north (Tibet) sides. 🎙 (Podcast Guest)

• Renata Chlumska (Sweden/Czech Republic) – 5th May 1999 – First Swedish and Czech woman to summit Everest. 🎙 (Podcast Guest)

• Clare O’Leary (Ireland) – 18th May 2004 – First Irish woman to climb Everest.

• Sophia Danenberg (USA) – 19th May 2006 – First African-American and first Black woman to climb Mount Everest. 🎙 (Podcast Guest)

• Tori James (Wales) – 24th May 2007 – First Welsh woman to climb Everest. 🎙 (Podcast Guest)

• Chhurim Dolma Sherpa (Nepal) – 19 May 2011 – First woman to climb Everest twice in one season

• Mollie Hughes (UK) – 2012 and 16 May 2017 – First English woman to reach the summit from both the south and north sides. 🎙 (Podcast Guest)

• Anshu Jamsenpa (India) – May 2017 – First woman to complete a dual ascent within five days.

• Tima Deryan (Lebanon) – 22nd May 2019 – First Lebanese woman to summit Everest. 🎙 (Podcast Guest)

• Nadhira Alharthy (Oman) – 23rd May 2019 – First Omani woman to summit Everest. 🎙 (Podcast Guest)

 

Speed & Endurance Achievements

• Ada Tsang Yin-hung (Hong Kong) – 23 May 2021 – Fastest woman to climb from Base Camp to summit (25 hours 50 minutes).

• Lizzy Hawker (UK) – 2013 – Fastest run from Everest Base Camp to Kathmandu (63 hours 8 minutes).

• Lhakpa Sherpa (Nepal) – Multiple years – Holds the record for the most ascents by a woman (10 times).

• Melissa Arnot Reid (USA) – Multiple years – Holds the record for the most ascents by a foreign woman (6 times).

 

Youth & Age Milestones

• Malavath Purna (India) – 25 May 2014 – Youngest woman to reach the summit (13 years 11 months).

• Lucy Westlake (USA) – 12 May 2022 – Youngest American woman to summit (18 years 6 months 8 days).

• Leanna Shuttleworth (UK) – 2012 – Youngest British woman to reach the summit (aged 19).

• Alyssa Azar (Australia) – 21 May 2016 and 19 May 2018 – Youngest woman to summit from both the south and north sides (aged 21 at first ascent).🎙 (Podcast Guest)

 

Featured Media

• First Females Podcast — by Tori James

  • A podcast celebrating the 50th anniversary of Junko Tabei’s historic 1975 ascent and honouring women’s achievements in mountaineering. 

 

This page is dedicated to the extraordinary women I have had the privilege of interviewing on the podcast—those who have stood on the Roof of the World and lived to tell the tale. Through their stories, we celebrate not just their achievements but also the lessons of resilience, passion, and the human spirit’s relentless pursuit of adventure.

 

Explore their incredible journeys and be inspired by those who have braved Everest’s heights.