Three Historic First Climb of Annapurna IV by Female Mountaineers with NAMAS
Since the recorded history of mountaineering began, we have seen countless names create histories. Without a doubt the names of the Great Edmond Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa overshadow every other mountaineering summit because they were the first to climb Mount Everest on May 29, 1953. However, the histories in mountain climbing have not stopped after them and mountaineering records are being broken till this day. Female Climbers are constantly challenging the male dominated sector of mountaineering at a rapid rate today. After the ascent of Mount Everest by late Junko Tabei in May 16, 1975, countless females mountaineers like Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner, Pasang Lhamu Sherpa Lhakpa Sherpa, Dawa Yangzum Sherpa, Arunima Sinha and more have created histories on 8000 m high peaks. Woman Mountaineers have not stopped making records as new records were created in the recent climbing season with the summit of the Annapurna IV Mountain with Namas team. We write the current story to celebrate the success of these strong and brave climbers who summited the 7525 m high Annapurna IV to become first Woman Climbers from their country.
An Introduction to Annapurna IV
Annapurna IV is the perfect first entry peak for middle level mountaineers and serious climbers looking to successfully climb 7000 m and aim of summiting 14 8000der mountains. The untouched and awe-inspiring Annapurna IV has only had 138 successful ascents after the 1955 summit started in Annapurna Massif region. The summit of Annapurna IV which lies in 7525 m is a remote short but technical push from Camp 3 in 6,800 m. An overview of Annapurna IV is presented in the table below for ladies who want to carve their name in history as the first woman mountaineer from their country.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Mountain Name | Annapurna IV |
| Elevation | 7,525 meters (24,688 ft) |
| Location | Annapurna Range, Nepal |
| Region | Gandaki Province |
| First Ascent | 1955 (German Expedition) |
| Standard Route | Northwest Ridge |
| Difficulty Level | Technical / Challenging |
| Best Seasons | Spring (Apr–May), Autumn (Sep–Oct) |
| Lower Base Camp Altitude | 4800 meters |
| Climbing Duration | 4 to 6 weeks |
| Permits Required | Nepal Climbing Permit, ACAP Permit |
| Major Risks | Avalanches, crevasses, extreme cold |
Historic Female Firsts on Annapurna IV
In mountaineering history, first ascents by women are celebrated as landmark events. Annapurna IV recently witnessed several such milestones. These “historic firsts” highlight the growing role of women in high-altitude climbing. Before 2011, no Nepali woman had ever summited Annapurna IV. It changed with a groundbreaking expedition from Nepali Female team. Today, climbers from Europe, America, and Asia have achieved their national firsts. Each event has been covered by mountaineering press and expedition reports, signifying a changing landscape: more women are stepping into roles once thought exclusive to men. These records are not just about nationality but they are a symbol of great spirit and skill of each of these Female climbers.
Nepali Pioneers (May 2011)
The first recorded female summits on Annapurna IV came courtesy of Nepali climbers. On May 31, 2011, four Nepali women Nima Rai, Shantikala Rai, Minu Gurung, and Saraswati BK reached the top. This was a historic breakthrough because it was the first time any Nepali woman had climbed Annapurna IV. These climbers came from different parts of Nepal and joined forces under local guiding support. They started from the south face and reached the summit early in the morning of May 31. The Nepali press celebrated the achievement, noting the team’s pride and the inspiration for Nepalese women in mountaineering. By standing on Annapurna IV’s summit, these women showed that Nepal’s cultural barriers could be crossed, and they set a threshold for all climbers in the country.
Simone Molter – First German & European (Sept 2023)
Simone Molter
After decades without a summit, Annapurna IV saw another female breakthrough in 2023. On September 29, 2023, Dr. Simone Molter of Germany reached the top at 12:05 local time with the Namas Team. This made Simone not only the first German woman but also the first European woman ever to stand on Annapurna IV’s peak. This was the first of Three Historic First Climb of Annapurna IV by Female Mountaineers with NAMAS.
In her report, Simone mentioned she had torn a cruciate ligament at 6500m but still pushed on to the summit which was truly a testament to her determination. By doing so, she became the 6th woman overall to summit this mountain. Simone’s achievement was covered by media and expedition sources, emphasizing how she overcame injury and challenge. Her successful summit highlights the drive of female climbers. Even after major knee surgery, Simone returned to summit a very hard peak without supplemental oxygen. Her historic ascent was part of a Namas Adventure expedition, which itself was the first team to summit Annapurna IV after a long gap in records. Simone’s climb marked a new chapter, women from all across the world including Europe and Asia are now summiting Annapurna IV.
Historic First: Two Female Climbers Conquer Annapurna IV for the First Time
The history repeated itself again in 2025 when two climbers along with Namas Team became Two Female Climbers summited Annapurna IV for the First Time which was a Historic first. Yi Schuler and Shuhyan Yu became the first from their countries to stand on the summit of Annapurna IV only a few minutes apart.
Yi Schuler – First American (Oct 2025)
Yi Schuler
Yi Schuler became “the first American woman to stand on the summit of Annapurna IV” with the Namas Team on October 20, 2025. In Namas team communications and her own testimonial, Yi described a well-supported climb, she praised the planning and sherpa strength that enabled “100% summit success” of our team. After reaching the summit of the 7,525m peak at 8:35 a.m., Yi became the first female climber from the United States to do so. Her achievement confirmed her place in history as the 8th woman overall to have successfully summited Annapurna IV.
Shuhan Yu – First Chinese (Oct 2025)
Shuhan Yu
On that same summit day (Oct 20, 2025), Shuhan Yu of China also reached the top. Shuhan became “the first Chinese woman to successfully summit this peak”. She climbed alongside Yi and others, achieving the Annapurna IV summit just a few minutes apart. Shuhan’s ascent marked another historic first because Chinese climbers had not attempted or succeeded on Annapurna IV before. It allowed Yu to carve history as the first Chinese female summiteer and 9th female overall. Shuhan’s success both broadens the representation of female climbers from various countries on the peak and inspires future Chinese mountaineers.
Other Notable Female Summits
Overall, as of Autumn 2025, nine women have been recorded on the summit of Annapurna IV, representing countries from multiple continents. These include the four Nepali pioneers (2011), one German, one Swiss (also French/Canadian citizen), one American, one Chinese, and one more climber. This international list of climbers including female climbers from Indonesia and Switzerland, highlights that Annapurna IV is now on the radar of female climbers worldwide. It’s remarkable that a remote 7,525m peak has seen climbers from Asia, Europe, North America, and Oceania stand on top. Each new female summiter added to this list not only raises the total count of brave ladies but also expands the diversity of the community. It also highlights the fact that female alpinists globally are aiming higher and succeeding on peaks once considered too tough.
Conclusion
As we look towards the future we believe the story of Annapurna IV is far from over. In fact, the recent wave of summits especially by courageous women suggests a momentum which could continue in the coming seasons. As more women train for high altitudes and join expedition teams, Annapurna IV offers a distinct chance for ladies to write a new chapter of mountaineering history. Each climber who reaches that summit inspires countless others.
For readers, especially women, wanting to make history, Annapurna IV should be on your radar. Imagine being the first woman from your country to stand there. With the mountain’s track record of new first successful attempts that dream could become reality for you. You could be the next female record holder to reach Annapurna IV summit top, request a proposal here for your next mountain adventure.
