One of the tallest mountains in the world is Mount Everest. It is 8,848 meters (29,029 feet) high above sea level. Climbing this mountain is not easy. It takes strong physical fitness, planning, and courage.
Many people try, but not all succeed.
On May 16, 1975, Junko Tabei, became the first woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest. Later she also set a record by a woman to successfully summit all the tallest peaks in seven continents.
This was a great achievement in the history of mountaineering and an important moment for women around the world.
Let’s learn about her life, her climb, and why her story still inspires people today.
Who Was Junko Tabei?
Junko Tabei was born in Fukushima, Japan, on September 22, 1939. As a young girl, she was interested in mountains.
She went on her first hike when she was just 10 years old during a school trip. After that, she fell in love with climbing.
She was a small woman, only about 4 feet 9 inches (144 cm) tall, and weighed less than 45 kilograms. But she had strong determination.
Even though she was quiet and polite, she never gave up on her goals.
Junko studied English literature at Showa Women’s University, but her heart was always for the mountains. After graduation, she joined a mountaineering club. At that time, most clubs were full of men, and many men did not accept women as equal climbers.
Some even said things like, “Women should stay at home, or you need help because you’re a woman.” Junko ignored those negative words.
In 1969, she started the Ladies Climbing Club of Japan.
It was the first women-only climbing club in Japan. Their motto was:
“Let’s go on an overseas expedition by ourselves.”
Related links:
Planning the Everest Expedition
Junko’s biggest dream was to climb Mount Everest. In 1975, she formed an all-women climbing team called the Japanese Women’s Everest Expedition.
The team had 15 female climbers and local sherpas (mountain guides from Nepal).
But the journey was not easy. The team struggled to get sponsors.
Many companies didn’t believe in them because they were all women. Some people even made fun of her and her ideas.
To raise money, Junko used part of her own wedding gift money and also made her own climbing equipment to save on costs.
The team chose the South-East Ridge route from the Nepal side of Everest.
This is the same route used by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay in 1953, during the first successful climb of Everest.
Challenges During the Climb
As the team climbed higher, the weather got colder, the air got thinner, and everything became more dangerous.
The climbers wore oxygen masks and walked carefully with ropes and ice axes.
On May 4, 1975, disaster struck. An avalanche hit their camp. Junko was buried under snow and lost consciousness.
She had to be dug out by her teammates.
Even after that injury, Junko refused to give up. She rested for two days and then continued the climb with her Sherpa guide Ang Tsering.
She was the first woman to do it. From the top, she could see the clouds below and the sky above.
It was a powerful moment and very proud moment for her.
Related also : Everest Trek Permits and Regulations
What Happened After Everest?
After Everest, Junko became famous around the world. She was praised for her bravery, leadership, and achievement.
But she didn’t stop climbing.
She went on to complete the Seven Summits, which means she climbed the highest mountain on each of the seven continents:
- Mount Everest (Asia) – 8,848 m
- Mount Aconcagua (South America) – 6,962 m
- Mount Denali (North America) – 6,194 m
- Mount Kilimanjaro (Africa) – 5,895 m
- Mount Elbrus (Europe) – 5,642 m
- Mount Vinson (Antarctica) – 4,892 m
- Mount Kosciuszko (Australia) – 2,228 m
She became the first woman to climb all Seven Summits. This made her one of the greatest mountaineers in the world.
Environmental and Social Work
Junko Tabei was not only a climber. She was also a strong supporter of the environment.
She noticed that many climbers left trash on the mountains.
She believed that climbers should respect nature.
On Mount Everest and other peaks, she organized clean-up climbs.
She also gave speeches and ran educational programs to teach people about mountain safety and protecting the environment.
Junko also supported women’s rights.
She worked to help other women in Japan and in other countries become climbers, scientists, and leaders.
Related also : How Much Does the Everest Base Camp Trek Cost?
Her Legacy
Junko Tabei passed away from cancer on October 20, 2016, at the age of 77. But her life and message still inspire millions of people.
She showed that women can lead, achieve, and inspire. She broke barriers in a male dominated field and stayed humble throughout her life.
She once said:
“I never thought of being the first woman. I just wanted to climb Everest.”
Today, her name is remembered in schools, books, documentaries, and even in space science. A crater on Venus is named “Tabei Crater” in her honor.
Related also : Best time for Everest Base Camp Trek
Conclusion
Junko Tabei was a pioneer, a leader, and a role model. She was the first woman to climb Mount Everest, but her impact goes far beyond that.
She proved that with passion, hard work, and belief, anyone can reach great heights literally and in life.
Her story continues to inspire new generations of climbers, adventurers, and dreamers. Junko’s message is clear:
Climb your own mountain, no matter what others say.