12 Historic Everest Climbing Moments That Changed Mountaineering Forever
These climbs changed how people saw the mountain and what was possible.
- Daisy Montero
- 3 min read
Mount Everest has challenged climbers for decades. This list shares important climbs that helped shape the history of mountaineering. Each one shows courage, skill, and a strong will to keep going, no matter the odds.
1. 1953: The First Successful Ascent by Hillary and Norgay
Dirk Pons on Wikimedia Commons
On May 29, 1953, New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Nepali Sherpa Tenzing Norgay became the first confirmed climbers to reach Everest’s summit. Their achievement symbolized international cooperation and marked a new era in high-altitude mountaineering.
2. 1975: Junko Tabei Becomes First Woman to Summit Everest
Jaan Künnap on Wikimedia Commons
Japanese climber Junko Tabei shattered gender barriers by becoming the first woman to reach Everest’s peak on May 16, 1975. Her ascent inspired countless women to pursue mountaineering and adventure sports.
3. 1978: First Ascent Without Supplemental Oxygen
Sanjay Kodain Mountaineer on Wikimedia Commons
Austrian climbers Reinhold Messner and Peter Habeler achieved the unimaginable by summiting Everest without bottled oxygen. This feat redefined the physiological limits of high-altitude climbing.
4. 1980: First Winter Ascent of Everest
Bogdan Jankowski on Wikimedia Commons
Polish climbers Krzysztof Wielicki and Leszek Cichy braved extreme cold and high winds to complete the first winter ascent of Everest on February unparalleled resilience.
5. 1996: Ang Rita Sherpa Wearing Traditional Attire and Smiling
RACHILE on Wikimedia Commons
Known as the “Snow Leopard,” Ang Rita Sherpa set a record by summiting Everest 10 times without supplemental oxygen, highlighting the extraordinary capabilities of Sherpa climbers.
6. 1998: First American Woman to Summit Without Oxygen
Mutaz Awad on Wikimedia Commons
Francys Arsentiev became the first American woman to reach Everest’s summit without supplemental oxygen. Tragically, she died during the descent, underscoring the mountain’s perils.
7. 1993: First Nepali Woman to Summit Everest
Gerd Eichmann on Wikimedia Commons
Pasang Lhamu Sherpa made history as the first Nepali woman to reach Everest’s summit. Her legacy continues to inspire female climbers in Nepal and beyond.
8. 2025: Kenton Cool’s 19th Ascent
Jazz Cool on Wikimedia Commons
British climber Kenton Cool achieved his 19th ascent of Everest, setting a record for non-Sherpa climbers and demonstrating remarkable endurance over two decades.
9. 2025: Youngest American Woman to Complete Seven Summits
Vyacheslav Argenberg on Wikimedia Commons
At 17, Emma Schwerin became the youngest American woman to summit Everest and complete the Seven Summits challenge, inspiring youth worldwide.
10. 2025: British Soldiers’ Record-Breaking 5-Day Ascent
Lyon Peru on Pexels
A team of British veterans, including MP Alastair Carns, completed a rapid 5-day ascent of Everest using advanced training and xenon gas therapy, sparking debates on modern climbing ethics.
11. 2025: Bahadur Pahan’s Inspirational Summit
Матвей Ильин on Pexels
Indian Army Subedar Bahadur Pahan fulfilled a 15-year dream by summiting Everest, becoming the first from the Bihar Regiment to do so and inspiring youth in his home state.
12. 1965: India’s Historic Expedition
India Post, Government of India on Wikimedia Commons
The 1965 Indian Everest Expedition saw nine climbers reach the summit, setting a world record and marking India’s emergence in high-altitude mountaineering.