Born: 1967 (Rewari district, Haryana, India)
Biography:
Santosh Yadav, born on October 10, 1967, is an exceptional Indian mountaineer who has left an indelible mark on the world of mountaineering. She holds the distinction of being the first woman in the world to climb Mount Everest twice and the first woman to successfully conquer the treacherous Kangshung Face of Everest. Through incredible feats of endurance and determination, Yadav has solidified her place in mountaineering history.
Born in the village of Joniyawas in Rewari district, Haryana, India, Yadav grew up as the sixth child in a family of five boys. She displayed an innate sense of curiosity and a thirst for adventure from a young age. After attending a local village school, she moved to Delhi and enrolled in a school there, where she began to dream of conquering the heights of the world’s tallest mountains.
Yadav’s first brush with mountaineering came when she attended Maharani College in Jaipur. From her room, she could witness the awe-inspiring sight of mountaineers scaling the Aravalli Range. This ignited a fire within her, pushing her to join the prestigious Nehru Institute of Mountaineering in Uttarkashi while simultaneously preparing for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) exams at a hostel provided by Amity University in Noida.
In 1992, at the age of just 25, Yadav achieved an extraordinary feat by summiting Mount Everest. Her determination and skill made her the youngest woman in the world to accomplish this incredible feat. During this expedition, she saved the life of fellow climber Mohan Singh by sharing her oxygen with him. Additionally, she made a valiant effort to save a dying mountaineer at the South Col, although unfortunately, her attempts were unsuccessful.
Undeterred by her first triumph, Yadav remained committed to pushing the boundaries of what was possible for women in mountaineering. Within a year, she joined an Indo-Nepalese Women’s expedition and scaled Everest for the second time. This remarkable achievement set a new record, establishing Yadav as the first woman to have successfully conquered Everest twice.
Throughout her mountaineering career, Yadav’s passion for the environment and her commitment to preserving the Himalayas shone through. She actively participated in efforts to clean up the mountains, collecting a staggering 500 kilograms of waste. Her dedication to environmental conservation has had a lasting impact on the pristine beauty of the Himalayas.
Yadav’s achievements have not gone unnoticed, as she has received numerous accolades and awards for her remarkable contributions to mountaineering. In 1994, she was honored with the National Adventure Award, recognizing her outstanding accomplishments in the field. Later, in 2000, she was bestowed with the prestigious Padma Shri, one of India’s highest civilian awards, for her incredible mountaineering feats.
Yadav’s mountaineering expeditions extended beyond Everest as well. In 1999, she led an Indian mountaineering expedition to scale the daunting Kangshung Face of Everest, showcasing her leadership skills and expertise. Two years later, she once again led a mountaineering team, this time to conquer the East Face of Mount Everest, further solidifying her place as one of the greatest mountaineers in history.
Santosh Yadav’s unwavering determination, fearlessness, and love for the mountains have made her an inspiration to aspiring mountaineers, particularly women. Her groundbreaking achievements have shattered glass ceilings and opened doors for women in the field of mountaineering. Santosh Yadav’s legacy as a pioneer and trailblazer in women’s history will continue to inspire generations to come.
Awards:
– National Adventure Award 1994
– Padma Shri 2000