Bachendri Pal (1954), Mount Everest Climber, Biography, Awards

Bachendri Pal is a renowned Indian mountaineer and the first Indian woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest. Born in May 1954 in Nakuri village of Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, she became a major figure in Indian mountaineering. Her 1984 Everest ascent, later women led expeditions, social service and work for adventure training made Bachendri Pal an important name in Indian adventure sports.

Bachendri Pal Biography

Bachendri Pal was born into a rural working class family and developed an early interest in mountains, adventure, education and sports.

• Birth and Family: Bachendri Pal was born on 24 May 1954 in Nakuri village of Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand. Her father Kishan Singh Pal was a border trader and her mother was Hansa Devi.
• Education: She completed her Master of Arts and Bachelor of Education from D.A.V. Post Graduate College, Dehradun. She later pursued formal mountaineering training at the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, Uttarkashi.
• Early Mountaineering: During her training, Bachendri Pal climbed Gangotri and Mount Rudragaria in 1982. Gangotri reached 23,419 ft and Mount Rudragaria reached 19,091 ft.
• Professional Career: She worked as an instructor with the National Adventure Foundation. She later became associated with Tata Steel Adventure Foundation and worked on adventure training and leadership programmes.
• Everest Selection: In 1984, she was selected for India’s fourth Mount Everest expedition. The expedition was named “Everest ’84” and included six women and eleven men.

Bachendri Pal Mount Everest Ascent

Bachendri Pal reached Mount Everest during a difficult expedition in May 1984 and became the first Indian woman to achieve the summit.

• Everest ’84 Expedition: The Indian team reached Kathmandu in March 1984 before moving towards Everest. The ascent began in May amid difficult mountain conditions and serious risks.
• Avalanche Incident: An avalanche buried the team’s camp and caused injuries. More than half of the members abandoned the expedition because of injuries or exhaustion.
• Summit Day: On 23 May 1984, Bachendri Pal continued towards the summit with Ang Dorje and other climbers. She reached Mount Everest at 1:07 p.m.
• Historic Achievement: Bachendri Pal became the first Indian woman to summit Mount Everest. She achieved the feat one day before her 30th birthday.

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Bachendri Pal Contributions

Bachendri Pal continued adventure leadership after Everest through women led expeditions, river journeys, Himalayan crossings, training and social service.

• Indo-Nepalese Women’s Everest Expedition: In 1993, she led the Indo-Nepalese Women’s Mount Everest Expedition. Eighteen people reached the summit, including seven women.
• Ganges Rafting Expedition: In 1994, she led the Great Indian Women’s Rafting Voyage. Eighteen women travelled in three rafts from Haridwar to Calcutta, covering 2,155 km in 39 days.
• Trans Himalayan Expedition: In 1997, she led eight women in the First Indian Women Trans Himalayan Expedition. The team covered more than 4,500 km in 225 days and crossed more than 40 high mountain passes.
• Indira Col: The 1997 expedition travelled from Arunachal Pradesh towards Siachen Glacier and reached Indira Col at an altitude of 20,100 ft, described as the northernmost tip of India.
• Flood Relief Work: During the 2013 North India floods, Bachendri Pal joined Premlata Agarwal and other mountaineers in relief and rescue operations in remote high altitude villages of Uttarkashi.
• Women Empowerment: Her work has focused on encouraging women and young people to participate in mountaineering, adventure activities, leadership programmes and outdoor training.
• Autobiography: Her autobiography, Everest – My Journey to the Top, was published by National Book Trust, Delhi. Its ISBN is 9788123715278.

Awards Won by Bachendri Pal

Bachendri Pal has received national awards and honours for mountaineering, adventure activities, leadership and her contribution to women’s participation in adventure sports.

• Padma Shri: Bachendri Pal received the Padma Shri in 1984. It is the fourth highest civilian award of the Republic of India.
• Padma Bhushan: Bachendri Pal received the Padma Bhushan in 2019. It is the third highest civilian award of the Republic of India.
• Mountaineering Gold Medal: The Indian Mountaineering Foundation awarded her a Gold Medal for Excellence in Mountaineering in 1984.
• Uttar Pradesh Gold Medal: She received a Gold Medal from the Department of Education, Government of Uttar Pradesh, in 1985.
• Arjuna Award: In 1986, Bachendri Pal received the Arjuna Award from the Government of India for her achievement in mountaineering.
• National Adventure Award: She received the National Adventure Award from the Government of India in 1994 for her contribution to adventure activities.
• Yash Bharati Award: The Government of Uttar Pradesh honoured her with the Yash Bharati Award in 1995.
• Virangana Lakshmibai Rashtriya Samman: In 2013, she became the first recipient of this honour from the Ministry of Culture, Government of Madhya Pradesh.
• Uttarakhand Gaurav Samman: The Government of Uttarakhand honoured her with Uttarakhand Gaurav Samman in 2021.