The first woman to ascend Everest, Japanese climber Junko Tabei, has died aged 77, her family say. Tabei conquered Everest in May 1975, aged 35, before climbing all of the world's seven highest peaks by 1992. Her last ascent was of Mount Fuji in July, alongside high school students affected by the 2011 Japanese earthquake and tsunami. In 2012, Tabei told the Japan Times she was proud of how her ascent was viewed. Her ascent of Everest came 12 days after she was swept away in an avalanche on the mountain.

Source: The Star October 22, 2016 14:15 UTC