Arunima Sharma

Indian mountaineer who became the first woman to climb all 14 eight-thousanders, breaking gender barriers in extreme sports

Arunima Sharma (b. 1975) shattered global climbing records when she summited Annapurna in 2014, completing all 14 eight-thousand-meter peaks - the first woman to do so. Her achievement, documented in 《Touching the Sky》, redefined perceptions of women's capabilities in high-altitude mountaineering.

Starting her climbing career at age 35, Sharma faced skepticism in a male-dominated sport. Her 《Summit of the Soul》 memoir details her rigorous training regimen and mental preparation, including surviving a 2012 avalanche on K2 that killed five climbers. Her perseverance led to historic firsts: first Indian woman on K2 (2012) and first woman to summit Kanchenjunga in winter (2013).

Sharma's expeditions prioritized environmental stewardship, establishing the Clean Himalaya Initiative to remove over 5 tons of waste from Everest's slopes. Her advocacy inspired the Indian government's 2018 Mountaineering Safety Act, requiring all climbers to carry waste bags.

Her achievements were celebrated in the documentary 《The Unstoppable Woman》 (2016), which highlighted her role in mentoring young female climbers through the Arunima Foundation. She remains a role model for girls in Nepal and India, where her story is featured in school curricula and motivational films like 《Peak Performance》 (2021).

Sharma's legacy extends beyond climbing: she uses her platform to advocate for women's sports participation in conservative regions. Her 2020 TED Talk 《The Climber Who Conquered 14 Eight-Thousanders》 has been viewed over 5 million times, inspiring global audiences to pursue their 'impossible' goals.