Bachendri Pal – The First Indian Woman to Climb Mount Everest

This article shares her full story—from childhood dreams to Himalayan conquests and her lifetime dedication to adventure and women’s empowerment.

👧 Early Life and Background

Bachendri Pal was born on 24 May 1954 in Nakuri village near Uttarkashi in Uttarakhand (then Uttar Pradesh). She came from a simple family of traders. Her father was a border tradesman who did business with Tibet.

She was the third child among seven siblings. From a young age, she showed interest in climbing hills and rocks, which was quite unusual for girls in those days.

At the age of 12, she climbed a 13,000 ft peak during a school picnic. This moment became her first experience of mountain adventure.

🎓 Education and Training

Bachendri completed her schooling from a local village school. After that, she pursued graduation and post-graduation (M.A.) in Sanskrit from D.A.V. Post Graduate College in Dehradun.

She also completed a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.), as her family wanted her to become a school teacher.

But her heart was in the mountains. So she joined the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM), Uttarkashi. There, she got her professional mountaineering training.

(Tip for readers: If you want to know more about NIM and other mountaineering institutes, you can read my blog post here – Mountaineering Institutes in India)

 

🧗‍♀️ Climbing the Everest – 1984

In 1984, the Indian government organized the First Mixed Indian Mount Everest Expedition. It was a team of both men and women.

Bachendri Pal was selected as the only woman climber to go beyond the base camp. This was a big honour, but also a tough challenge.

Avalanche Incident

While climbing, a massive avalanche hit their camp at around 23,000 feet. Many team members were injured and returned. But Bachendri was safe. Despite fear and risk, she decided to continue.

The Historic Summit

On 23 May 1984, at 1:07 PM, Bachendri Pal stood on the top of the world – Mount Everest (8,848 m).

She was just a day before her 30th birthday.

She became the first Indian woman and fifth woman in the world to reach Everest’s summit. This moment made her a national icon.

🏅 Awards and Recognition

After the Everest success, many honours were given to her:

• Padma Shri (1984)

• Arjuna Award (1986)

• National Adventure Award (1994)

• Padma Bhushan (2019)

She also got a place in textbooks and became an inspiration for young students across India.

👩‍🎓 Life After Everest – Women Empowerment

After her Everest success, Bachendri Pal didn’t stop. She dedicated her life to promoting adventure sports and women’s participation in mountaineering.

She joined Tata Steel Adventure Foundation (TSAF) and became its Chief. Through this, she trained thousands of young people, especially girls, in trekking and mountaineering.

Some Major Expeditions Led by Her:

1. 1985 – First Indian All-Women Everest Expedition Team
   (Though they didn’t reach summit, they opened doors for women in the field.)

2. 1994 – Ganga Rafting Expedition
   All-women team rafting from Gangotri to Kolkata (2,155 km) to spread message of women’s strength.

3. 1997 – First Indian Women Trans-Himalayan Expedition
   She led a group of women from Arunachal Pradesh to Siachen Glacier, covering over 4,500 km on foot over 225 days.

These were not just adventure journeys—they became symbolic missions for gender equality.

👵 FIT@50 – Still Going Strong at 68

Even in her 60s, Bachendri Pal didn’t sit quietly. In 2022, she launched the FIT@50+ Women’s Trans-Himalayan Expedition.

She trained and led a team of senior women (above 50 years) through the Himalayas.

To prepare, she used to run 25 km daily at the age of 68! This shows her unmatched discipline and love for fitness.

🏞️ Return to Everest – 40 Years Later

In May 2024, she marked 40 years of her Everest summit by trekking once again to Everest Base Camp.

This journey was not just a celebration. It was her way of telling the world — “Mountains have no age limits.”

🌟 Why She is a Real-Life Hero

• Broke all gender rules in a conservative time

• Proved that women from small towns can achieve global dreams

• Trained and inspired thousands of young Indians

• Worked her whole life for mountain sports and women empowerment

• Still active and fit, even after 70

📸 Want to See Where She Trained?

If you’re a reader interested in Himalayan trekking and mountaineering, Bachendri Pal’s story connects deeply with the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, Uttarkashi.

You can visit Uttarkashi or join beginner training courses at NIM.

Also check out my post about Timmersem Cave, a spiritual cave near Joshimath, if you love mountain exploration:
👉 Timmersem Shiva Cave Blog

✍️ Conclusion

Bachendri Pal is not just a mountaineer. She is a symbol of courage, grit, and Himalayan spirit. From a small village in Uttarkashi to the world’s highest peak, her life story continues to inspire every Indian, especially the young generation and women.

If you’re planning a Himalayan trek or mountaineering course, remember this name. She has already walked the path—and made it easier for the rest of us.

You can also explore more on Himalayan treks like Darma Valley, Adi Kailash, and others on my website mohitbangari.com, where I share full guides, routes, permit tips and cultural info.

Do you know about Ramman festival of Salud-Dungra village? It’s one of the intangible world cultural heritage of India in UNESCO. You can read a detailed article on this topic here.