Fifty years ago, Junko Tabei became the first woman to summit Everest – why do so few people know her story?

Fifty years ago, Junko Tabei became the first woman to summit Everest – why do so few people know her story?

It was May 4 1975. The Japanese Women’s Everest Expedition team had been living at a high altitude for six weeks, and were less than a week away from their scheduled bid for the summit of Mount Everest. Exhausted, having established camp five at just below 8,000m on the south side of the mountain, Junko Tabei and the team descended to camp two at 6,300m to rest. Then – avalanche! In the early hours, tons of ice and snow engulfed the camp, buryin…

First Woman To Climb Mt Everest: Junko Tabei's Legacy 50 Years On

On May 16, 1975, Junko Tabei made history as the first woman to ascend the mighty Mount Everest. The ascent was arduous, marked by a life-threatening avalanche, an injury, and altitude sickness. However, she took her last steps to the summit, becoming the first woman and 40th person to summit the peak. This was just the beginning, as Junko went on to become the first woman to scale the formidable Seven Summits.  Junko Tabei's Early Life Junko Ta…