Climbing the Seven Summits: 5 Badass Women Who Did the Impossible

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Climbing the highest mountain on every continent is no small feat. It takes years of training, mental toughness and the ability to keep going when most people would turn back. For decades, this challenge was seen as something only elite male mountaineers took on. But women have been changing that narrative, proving they’re just as capable of reaching the top, over and over again. 

What Are the Names of the Seven Summits?

The Seven Summits are the highest mountains on each of the continents. They are:

• Mount Everest (Asia): 8,848 meters (29,029 ft)
• Aconcagua (South America): 6,961 meters (22,838 ft)
• Denali (North America): 6,190 meters (20,310 ft)
• Kilimanjaro (Africa): 5,895 meters (19,341 ft)
• Mount Elbrus (Europe): 5,642 meters (18,510 ft)
• Mount Vinson (Antarctica): 4,892 meters (16,050)
• Mount Kosciuszko (Oceania): 2,228 meters (7,310 ft)

What Makes People Want to Climb the Seven Summits?

Climbing all seven summits is one of the most prestigious challenges in the mountaineering world. It requires technical skill, mental stamina, traveling the world and months — if not years — of physical training. But beyond the logistics, the Seven Summits represent something much deeper — the idea that you can push past your limits, again and again, on every continent. 

Each mountain has its own dangers and its own rewards. Denali tests your endurance in the bitter cold. Kilimanjaro shows you the beauty in biodiversity. And Everest demands everything — physically and mentally. 

5 Women Who Did the Impossible

These women have trained hard, faced rough conditions and kept going even when things got difficult. Each one took a different path to get there, but they all ended up at the top — seven times. Here are a few of the women who made history. 

1. Junko Tabei: The First Woman to Finish the Seven Summits

A pioneer in every sense, Junko Tabei of Japan was the first woman to summit Mount Everest in 1975. But she didn’t stop there. 

In 1992, she became the first woman to complete the Seven Summits, proving that female mountaineers could hold their own in one of the world’s most demanding sports. 

She climbed Everest after surviving an avalanche during the ascent. She faced sexism constantly — once being told to “stay home and raise children.” Her quiet perseverance changed the face of mountaineering forever. 

2. Vanessa O’Brien: Fast, Fierce and Focused

Vanessa O’Brien, an American-British explorer and former banker, completed the Seven Summits in just 295 days — a record-setting pace. She, too, didn’t just stop there. Vanessa went on to summit K2, ski the last degree to the North and South Poles, and dive to the bottom of the Mariana Trench. That’s right — she’s one of the few people to reach Earth’s highest and lowest points.

She uses her platform to advocate for climate science, disaster recovery and international cooperation, showing that extreme achievement can go hand in hand with purpose. 

3. Lhakpa Sherpa: Everest Queen and Unsung Hero

Born in a cave in rural Nepal with no formal education, Lhakpa Sherpa has summited Mount Everest 10 times — more than any other woman in history. And best believe she’s completed the Seven Summits, too. 

Lhakpa raised three kids as a single mother in the U.S., working jobs at Whole Foods and 7-Eleven to support her family — all while planning her next climb. It’s easy to let personal goals take a back seat with family responsibilities, work demands and the constant pull to put others first. However, Lhakpa proved it’s still possible. Her accomplishments are nothing short of extraordinary, and yet she remains deeply underrecognized. She embodies quiet strength, relentless determination and true grit.

4. Cheryl and Nikki Bart: The Mother-Daughter Summit Team

In 2008, Cheryl Bart and her daughter Nikki Bart became the first mother-daughter duo to complete the Seven Summits. They trained together, climbed together and supported each other on every single continent. From Kilimanjaro to Vinson, their bond was their biggest strength.

Nikki was just 23 when they summited Everest. Cheryl, a corporate lawyer and board director, proved that you can break glass ceilings and climb icy ones. Their story is one of trust, teamwork and defying limits. 

5. Emma Schwerin: The Youngest Woman to Climb All Seven

At just 17 years old, Emma Schwerin became the youngest woman in the world to climb all Seven Summits. She started really young. 

Inspired by a school project on Mount Everest in 8th grade, her father set out on the journey with her. She left the hardest climb for last — Everest. After 50 days on the mountain and frostbite on her face, she summited the world’s toughest climb as a teenager. She is the youngest woman to climb Everest and the youngest woman to complete the Seven Summits. 

Emma didn’t just break records. She’s inspiring a new generation of girls who want to get out there and climb. Her message is simple — age is just a number. 

What It Takes to Prepare

Finishing this challenge isn’t just about being fit. It’s a combination of physical training, technical skill, mental agility and a whole lot of planning. Most climbers spend years preparing. 

Physical Training

Climbers need a strong foundation of both cardio and strength. Long hikes with weighted backpacks, stair climbing, interval training and endurance workouts all help prepare the body for the hours — or days — of effort needed on each mountain. 

You also need strength to carry gear, maintain stability with crampons and move efficiently at altitude. Many climbers add in mobility work and core training to help with balance on uneven terrain.

Altitude Acclimatization

High-altitude climbing brings its own risks, including altitude sickness, which can be dangerous if you don’t take it seriously. To prepare, many climbers build up by tackling smaller peaks first — like Mont Blanc, Mount Rainier or Island Peak — to see how their body reacts.

Technical Skills

Not every summit is a walk-up. Some require rope work, ice axe skills and the expertise to climb rock or ice safely. For instance, Denali and Vinson require crevasse navigation and glacier travel. Everest requires knowledge of fixed ropes, ascenders and how to safely cross ladders over deep ice falls. 

Mental Toughness

Physical strength only gets you so far. The mental side of this challenge is huge. Climbers face cold, fear, doubt, altitude headaches, lack of sleep and long days that test every part of you. Being able to stay calm, make smart decisions and keep moving — even when conditions are tough — is what separates those who finish from those who don’t.

The View from the Top

Completing the Seven Summits is a major life accomplishment. It takes real commitment and the ability to push through when it gets tough. These women have shown the world what’s possible when you put in the work and don’t let expectations hold you back.