Mt. Everest
Stories of Strength, Grit, and Triumph
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.
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.
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:
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Junko Tabei (Japan) – 16th May 1975 – First woman in history to climb Everest.
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Phanthog (China) – 27th May 1975 – First Chinese woman to summit.
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Wanda Rutkiewicz (Poland) – 16th October 1978 – First Polish person, the third woman, and the first European woman to reach the top.
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Bachendri Pal (India) – 23rd May 1984 – First Indian woman to summit.
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Lydia Bradey (New Zealand) – 14th October 1988 – First woman to summit without supplementary oxygen.
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Pasang Lhamu Sherpa (Nepal) – 22nd April 1993 – First Nepalese woman to reach the summit.
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Renata Chlumska (Sweden/Czech Republic) – 5th May 1999 – First Swedish and Czech woman to summit Everest. 🎙 (Podcast Guest)
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Clare O’Leary (Ireland) – 18th May 2004 – First Irish woman to climb Everest.
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Sophia Danenberg (USA) – 19th May 2006 – First African-American and first Black woman to climb Mount Everest. 🎙 (Podcast Guest)
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Tori James (Wales) – 24th May 2007 – First Welsh woman to climb Everest. 🎙 (Podcast Guest)
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Tima Deryan (Lebanon) – 22nd May 2019 – First Lebanese woman to summit Everest. 🎙 (Podcast Guest)
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Nadhira Alharthy (Oman) – 23rd May 2019 – First Omani woman to summit Everest. 🎙 (Podcast Guest)
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.
