With Strength and Humility: How Tamae Watanabe Conquered the World’s Highest Peak Over 70 Years Old

Tamae Watanabe - Japanese woman, who conquered the Mt. Everest summit being over 70 years old.

An Extraordinary Woman

She was over 70 years old. Her peers mostly talked about rest, a well-deserved retirement, slowing down, and health problems. But not her. She packed her backpack, put on her climbing boots, and prepared to conquer the world’s highest peak—Mount Everest. Sounds unbelievable? For Tamae Watanabe, it was reality. At the age of 63, she became the oldest woman to reach this legendary summit, and ten years later, at 73, she broke her own record. Let’s explore the story not only of incredible physical feats but of a strength of spirit that knows no bounds.

Tamae Watanabe, from a picturesque region at the foot of Mount Fuji, did not spend her life as a professional mountaineer. For years, she worked in an office, leading a modest, everyday life while helping her family on the farm. What sets her apart from others is her extraordinary passion for mountains and her unrelenting desire to set ever-greater challenges for herself. For Watanabe, climbing wasn’t just a sport—it was a way of life, a means of discovering both herself and the world. Every step on the mountain trail was a natural extension of her daily work, as if climbing Everest was as simple as gathering firewood in her hometown.

What makes Watanabe’s story so inspiring? It’s not about spectacular records or sports trophies. Watanabe shows that regardless of age or obstacles, one can live life to the fullest, pursuing one’s passions. Her Everest climbs—both at the ages of 63 and 73—are proof that limits exist only in our minds. Even after a serious spinal injury that could have ended her climbing career, Watanabe did not give up. She rebuilt her strength, returned to the mountains, and once again reached the world’s highest peak, demonstrating that age is just a number.

Let’s get to know the story of a woman who wasn’t afraid to dream, act, and push the boundaries of possibility. Tamae Watanabe is living proof that as long as we live, we can fulfill our dreams.

Tamae Watanabe - Japanese woman, who conquered the Mt. Everest summit being over 70 years old.

Watanabe’s Life

Tamae Watanabe (渡辺玉枝) was born in a picturesque corner of Japan, in a small village at the foot of the mighty Mount Fuji, in Yamanashi, on November 21, 1938. There, among lush forests and rugged mountain landscapes, she was raised. Childhood on a farm was not carefree running through fields—Tamae helped her parents with hard work from an early age. Climbing steep slopes to gather firewood or tend to animals was an everyday occurrence for her. Her young hands, growing stronger over time, wrestled with nature, and her legs became accustomed to the challenges of mountainous terrain. Every day was a test of endurance—but for Watanabe, it was natural, almost instinctive.

Although she didn’t know at the time that climbing mountain slopes would become her greatest passion, the mountains meant more to her than just the backdrop of daily duties. They became a place where she could escape the hustle and bustle of the village, feel at one with nature, and, above all, discover her inner strength. As she later recalled in an interview: "As children, we climbed mountains to gather firewood. In winter, we climbed to collect firewood. I think that’s when I got used to climbing."

It wasn’t until many years later, at the age of 28, that Tamae discovered that climbing could be something more than just a daily chore. Working as a librarian in Kanagawa Prefecture, she met an older colleague who told her stories of his mountaineering adventures. Fascinating tales of majestic views and difficult but satisfying climbs sparked a new desire within her. "I wanted to try, since it sounded so exciting," she later recalled. Her colleague, noticing her growing curiosity, invited her to join a mountaineering club (where she was, incidentally, the only woman).

This was a turning point in her life. For Watanabe, climbing was no longer a necessity or a daily struggle—it became a passion to which she devoted herself entirely. Every subsequent expedition was not only a physical challenge but also an exploration of new, previously unknown spaces in her mind and heart. What had started as farm work became her way of life—with every summit conquered, Tamae felt her strength grow, as well as her humility toward nature. Mount Fuji, which she observed daily from her village, was only the beginning of her great life climb.

Tamae Watanabe - Japanese woman, who conquered the Mt. Everest summit being over 70 years old.

Great Achievements

Every expedition Tamae embarked on, every summit she conquered, was a story that went beyond mere altitude. In the mountains, she sought more than just adrenaline and spectacular views. For her, it was about the journey, every step, and the challenges posed by difficult, dangerous routes. And she overcame many of them in her life—from the icy walls of Alaska to the frozen peaks of the Himalayas.

It all began in 1977 when Watanabe set an ambitious goal: to climb Mount McKinley, the highest peak in North America. As she ascended this frigid, ice-covered summit, she not only faced harsh weather conditions but also her own doubts. For many mountaineers, McKinley (now called Denali) is the first step to major expeditions, but for Watanabe, it was much more—a gateway to the world’s toughest mountains. "I enjoyed every moment of that climb," she later recalled, emphasizing that the experience taught her that mountaineering isn’t just about height but about the challenges the route presents.

The following years brought her a series of spectacular successes. In 1989, she conquered Aconcagua, the highest peak in South America, battling fierce winds and the freezing air of the Andes. But this was just the beginning of her adventures. In 1991, she climbed Cho Oyu—the sixth highest peak in the world, located on the border of Nepal and Tibet. There, at over 8,000 meters, she learned the importance of patience and focus, when every step could be a matter of life or death.

In 1998, Watanabe faced Gasherbrum II, one of the most remote and inaccessible peaks in Pakistan, and a year later, she conquered Pobeda, the highest peak in Kyrgyzstan, whose icy walls are as terrifying as they are beautiful. Each of these expeditions was a challenge not only physically but also mentally. "It’s not about how high you go, but how you conquer the journey"—these words of Watanabe became her life motto, guiding her on every mountain adventure.

Yet the greatest challenges were yet to come. In 2002, at the age of 63, Tamae Watanabe stood atop the highest peak on Earth—Mount Everest. She was the oldest woman to achieve this, but for her, the record wasn’t of much importance. "I’m not interested in my age," she said after reaching the summit. "I just wanted to see if I could do it." She overcame not only technical difficulties but also her own limitations, becoming an inspiration for mountaineers around the world.

Ten years later, at the age of 73, Watanabe returned to Everest to once again break her own record. This time, the climb was even harder—strong winds, lack of oxygen, exhaustion—but despite this, after ten hours of battling ice and snow, she stood on top of the world. It was just her, the sky, and the endless expanses of mountains. This was a triumph not only of physical strength but of extraordinary perseverance of spirit.

Her double conquest of Mount Everest at an age when most people are thinking of retirement made Tamae Watanabe a legend. Her life philosophy, full of humility and modesty, continues to inspire younger generations.

Tamae Watanabe - Japanese woman, who conquered the Mt. Everest summit being over 70 years old.

Watanabe’s Life Philosophy

Tamae Watanabe’s life philosophy is a harmonious blend of humility, perseverance, and deep joy in simple, everyday things. Watanabe never saw herself as a great heroine or record-breaker, even though her achievements in the world of mountaineering were spectacular. For her, climbing wasn’t a way to gain fame, but a natural extension of a passion that came from the daily tasks of her childhood.

Watanabe lived modestly, always prioritizing simplicity and humility. Until the age of 59, she worked as a civil servant, and climbing was her passion, pursued after work hours. She didn’t have sponsors who financed her expensive expeditions or training—she funded her trips from her own savings, although sometimes she received gear from friends in the mountaineering community. Her expeditions, even those to Everest, were modest, almost minimalist—her team consisted of only a few climbers and Sherpas (who are hardy guides and porters, indigenous to the Himalayan region). When she descended from the mountains, she didn’t celebrate her achievements—she returned to life as an ordinary citizen, a humble woman from a small Japanese town. "After coming down from the mountains, I become an ordinary person again," she said with a smile.

Her lifestyle was also marked by extraordinary discipline and consistency. Every day was filled with physical activity—not just mountaineering training but also exercises. She was also a fan of walking in the surrounding peaks near Mount Fuji, where she lived, and these daily hikes helped her maintain excellent physical condition. Regular exercise, a healthy diet, and outdoor activity were her secrets to keeping her body in great shape, even in old age.

Watanabe placed great importance on living in complete harmony with nature. She loved the outdoors and drew strength and inspiration from it. She never saw mountaineering as a race or competition with others. For her, it was about personal satisfaction, challenge, and spiritual connection with nature. In the mountains, she found peace, calm, and true joy. "Nature gives me strength," she used to say, emphasizing that it was in contact with nature that she found the meaning of her life.

Her approach to life and climbing was inseparable from deep humility. She wasn’t interested in records or celebrity status. What mattered most to her was the process, the journey, not the final outcome. Her perseverance, both on life’s paths and mountain trails, was inspired by a simple yet profound belief—that true value lies in everyday challenges, not in spectacular success.

Tamae Watanabe - Japanese woman, who conquered the Mt. Everest summit being over 70 years old.

Fighting the Injury

In 2005, with years of climbing successes behind her, Tamae Watanabe faced the greatest challenge of her life—and it wasn’t a mountain, but an injury that could have ended her climbing journey forever. While performing daily chores near her home, Watanabe lost her balance and fell into a five-meter ravine, seriously injuring her spine. The fall caused a collapse of a lumbar vertebra, which was a serious threat for anyone, but especially for a climber of her age.

For many people, such an injury would have meant the end of their dreams of climbing. But not for Tamae. Despite the pain and uncertainty she faced, she didn’t lose hope. During her rehabilitation, she drew strength from the words of her doctor, who, after the surgery, said: “It’s not impossible that you’ll return to the mountains, but it will take a tremendous amount of effort.” This short sentence became her motivation and a light in the darkness, guiding her through the long months of recovery. With a determination that would make anyone envious, Watanabe fought for every step, for every day of progress.

After two years of relentless work on her recovery, Watanabe made a decision that seemed crazy to many—she decided to return to climbing. In 2008, at the invitation of her friend Junko Tabei, she attempted to climb Huiten Peak, the highest mountain in Mongolia. Even though this was her first serious climb after the injury, Watanabe set out on the trail with full conviction. The success she achieved on this expedition gave her new hope and confidence that she could return to the world’s biggest mountains. It was then that she felt her battle had not been in vain, that her body, despite the traumatic injury, still had strength, and her spirit—an unbreakable will to fight.

Her return to the peaks after such a severe injury was not only a physical triumph for Watanabe but also a mental testament that no obstacles could stop her. This extraordinary determination later enabled her to conquer Mount Everest again at the age of 73, reminding everyone that even the hardest falls can just be a stop on the way to the summit.

Tamae Watanabe - Japanese woman, who conquered the Mt. Everest summit being over 70 years old.

What kind of person is Tamae Watanabe?

Tamae Watanabe is a person whose strength lies in her deep, authentic passion for the mountains and her sense of closeness to nature. She is a woman who never chased records, even though her achievements could easily make her a hero of sports headlines. For Watanabe, climbing was not a race for recognition but an internal journey of self-discovery. Humility has always been her hallmark—even after twice reaching the summit of Mount Everest as the oldest woman in history, she didn’t focus on titles. “I’m not interested in my age,” she said simply, explaining that she climbs for the experience itself, not for the records.

Her character is filled with both humility and incredible strength. This strength isn’t just physical, though Watanabe certainly overcame many extreme physical challenges. What’s key in her is what could be called mental strength—the ability to face adversities as if they were just another step on the path she chose. When others would have given up, she pressed on, step by step, like during her expeditions, fighting against a spinal injury or unfavorable weather conditions on icy slopes. Her determination is not just a trait but a foundational way of living, one that doesn’t allow giving up, even when circumstances seem discouraging.

Watanabe also possesses an unusual sense of self-deprecation. She can laugh at her own experiences and doesn’t take herself too seriously, which is not that common in the ambitious world of mountaineering. She refers to herself as a "goat"—lightly joking but also with love for the high places she loves to conquer. This metaphor perfectly captures her nature: she loves climbing not for success, but for the joy of being high up, in places where few others venture, both physically and emotionally.

Her sense of humor and distance from her own achievements create the image of someone deeply connected with nature, its simplicity, and harshness. Watanabe doesn’t seek applause but harmony with the world around her. It’s this harmony, combined with an unyielding will and love for life, that has made her one of the most inspiring figures in the world of climbing.

Tamae Watanabe - Japanese woman, who conquered the Mt. Everest summit being over 70 years old.

A Lesson for Us

From Tamae Watanabe, we can learn that taking care of health and fitness is not a one-time effort or a complex set of rules, but rather a continuous process based on harmony between the body, mind, and environment. Her approach to fitness wasn’t about imposing intense, exhausting training programs on herself, but about everyday activity that was a natural part of her life. Watanabe believed that health is the result of regular, moderate activity—such as hiking in the nearby mountains, physical labor on the farm, or leading mountain tours.

Another valuable lesson is how important it is to understand one’s own body and its needs. Watanabe approached training with intuitive wisdom—she rested when she was tired and adjusted the pace of her effort to her abilities. This way, she avoided exhaustion and injury, while still preserving her energy for future challenges. This shows that taking care of health can be about listening to oneself and maintaining balance between rest and activity.

Another crucial lesson is the role of the mind in maintaining fitness. Watanabe didn’t climb to break records but for her own joy and connection with nature. Her motivation came from an inner need, which helped her maintain mental health and emotional balance, even in the face of injury or aging.

Tamae Watanabe - Japanese woman, who conquered the Mt. Everest summit being over 70 years old.

Watanabe Today

Today, Tamae Watanabe leads a life that perfectly aligns with her philosophy of humility and simplicity. She still lives in Japan, near Mount Fuji, where she continues her passion as a mountain guide. Leading groups on Fuji and nearby peaks, she shares not only her knowledge of climbing but also her love of nature, which she considers the essence of her life. Her experience, both technical and spiritual, attracts people who not only want to reach the summit but also understand how the mountains can influence a person’s life.

Watanabe is also involved in initiatives related to environmental protection, particularly in the context of mountains. She believes that contact with nature teaches humility and responsibility for the world around us, which is why she promotes the idea of sustainable mountain tourism. For her, it’s not just about protecting ecosystems, but also passing on the value of respect for nature and responsible use of its resources to younger generations. She wants young people not only to conquer mountains but also to take care of them for future generations.

As for Watanabe’s future climbing ambitions, it’s hard to say definitively whether she plans more grand expeditions. Although she openly stated that she climbed Everest twice to satisfy her own curiosity and not for records, her explorer’s spirit and love for mountains may suggest that she hasn’t said her last word yet. While she may not plan to conquer more eight-thousanders, it’s possible that her heart still harbors the desire for more, even smaller, expeditions that will continue to give her a sense of fulfillment.

Tamae Watanabe - Japanese woman, who conquered the Mt. Everest summit being over 70 years old.

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