5 inspiring female climbers who shaped mountaineering

To celebrate International Women’s day, we’ve rounded up some of the most inspiring females who helped shape mountaineering, from setting world records for being the first women to send some of the toughest peaks, to pathing the way with first ascends and being the best in their field. Here are 5 of the most inspiring female climbers and mountaineers.

1. Junko Tabei

The first woman to send Everest, AND all of the Seven Summits.

In 1970, Japanese mountaineer Junko Tabei became the first woman to reach the 8.8m summit of Everest and to ascend all of the Seven Summits, and although she preferred to be know as ‘the 36th person to climb Everest,’ she inspired so many females to take up mountaineering by breaking down those barriers in a time when the sport was completely Male dominated.

Junko was an inspiration to many, through her Women’s Mountaineering Club ‘Joshi-Tohan Club’, she was also an incredible teacher, leading youth groups affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake on yearly climbs up Mount Fuji.

2. Lynn Hill

First free ascent of The Nose of El Capitan

Through her record of making the first ‘free ascent’ of the sheer rock face of ‘The Nose’ of El Capitan, Lynn Hill was the first women to really make her mark in the world of climbing. Widely regarded among climbers during the 80s and 90s, and known as one of the best female climbers in the world, and a pioneer of free climbing.

Lynn Hill was also a keen gymnast, weight lifter, competitive runner and climber, inspiring so many women across the world to push themselves and strive for success through her sheer determination, winning around 30 international titles.

3. Catherine Destivell

First woman to complete a solo ascent of the Eiger’s north face

Catherine Destivell, French mountaineer and climber, made her mark on the sport through becoming the first female ever to complete a solo ascent on the North Face of the Eiger, considered as one of the most dangerous and challenging sends.

As one of the most revered mountain-scalers of our time, there are several adventure documentaries about Catherine, including the award winning Beyond the Summits, which follows three of her voyages in the mighty Alps.

4. Beth Rodden

First ascent of meltdown and youngest woman to climb 5.14a (8b+)

Another rock climbing legend, Beth Rodden had continuously raised the bar in her sport, known for her ascents of hard single pitch trad routes and multiple first ascents! At just aged 18, Beth was a national sport-climbing champion and became the youngest woman to climb 5.14a (8b+).

With so many of her most notable climbs being first ascents, Beth Rodden is an inspiration to many young climbers.

5. Lucy Walker

The first woman to climb the Matterhorn and the Eiger

One of the first female climbers, a pioneer in mountain climbing and one of the first known female Alpinists, Lucy Walker was a British climber who became the first woman to ever climb the Matterhorn in 1971.

Over the course of her impressive climbing career, Lucy also achieved several first ascents including the Eiger, the Balmhorn, Wetterhorn, and Piz Bernina.