Junko Tabei (1975)
"Even after reaching the peak, instead of shouting with excitement, I was simply happy that I didn't have to go any higher"
~Junko Tabei
It was a British surveyor that first recognized Everest as the highest peak in the world in 1852. It was named Everest after the English Surveyor General who had been stationed in the Himalayas at the time of this discovery. Seven unsuccessful expeditions were undertaken between 1921 and 1953 until it was finally conquered. At the time, men seeking to claim the victory of reaching the summit first traveled by ship to China, then crossed the country in a large caravan to the massive mountain ranges of Tibet. The journey required the fording of rivers, the crossing of unstable, swinging bridges and stunts that had them clinging to the edges of cliffs. It then took several weeks to set up a trail and carry supplies to the higher camps before attempts to even climb the mountain could be made.
Junko Tabei grew up in Japan being called "weak" and "frail". Despite those labels, Junko first started climbing at the young age of 10. She later revealed that her love of the mountains drove her passion, not the competition of the sport. As an adult, she only grew to a height of 4 feet 9 inches. However, Junko has proved herself more than once to be one of the world's best high altitude climbers in history.
In May 1975, Junko led an all Japanese women expedition to Everest. The women had to overcome numerous obstacles, including a tremendous avalanche. None of her group was harmed, but Junko became even more determined than ever to reach the top. Barely able to walk, and covered head to toe in bruises, she led the procession, which at some points involved crawling on their hands and knees. On May 16, 1975, twelve days after the avalanche, Junko became the first woman in the world to reach the summit of Mount Everest. Later she also became the first woman to successfully climb the Seven Summits (the highest peak of each of the seven continents).
Junko scaled sixty-nine major mountains by the age of 53. Now at 61 years old, Junko has just begun to slow down her climbing in order to concentrate on her husband, daughter and son. She is also currently the director of Himalayan Adventure Trust of Japan, an organization that works to preserve mountain environments.
CLICK HERE for an interview with Junko on her accomplishments
