Jyoti Ratre
Jyoti Ratre is an Indian mountaineer from Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. On 29 May 2024, she became the oldest Indian woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world, at the age of 55, breaking the previous national record of 53 years.
She climbed Mount Elbrus in 2021, Mount Kilimanjaro in 2021, and Mount Kosciuszko in 2023, among other notable peaks.
Early life and background
Jyoti Ratre was born in Madhya Pradesh, India. She completed her education in central India, earning degrees in science and economics.Mountaineering career
Ratre developed an interest in mountaineering after a trip to Manali and began training in 2018 at the age of 49. As some mountaineering institutes have age limits, she undertook self-directed training. Her early expeditions included the Sour Tal Trek in 2017, the Pin Parvati Pass in 2018, and Mahagunas Top during the Amarnath Yatra in 2019.In 2021, Jyoti Ratre climbed Mount Elbrus in Europe and Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa. She later climbed Mount Kosciuszko in Australia. She climbed Island Peak in Nepal’s Sagarmatha National Park.
Her first attempt to summit Mount Everest was in May 2023, reaching 8,200 meters before turning back due to weather and a teammate's illness. She made a second attempt in May 2024 as part of a 15-member international team led by Bolivian climber David Hugo Ayaviri Quispe. On 19 May 2024, she reached the summit of Mount Everest, becoming the oldest Indian woman to summit the mountain.