The Inspiring Story of Piyali Basak
In a world where comfort often defines ambition, Piyali Basak chose discomfort—and greatness.
Petite in frame but colossal in courage, Piyali Basak hails from Chandannagar, a small town in West Bengal. By profession, she is a primary school mathematics teacher. By passion—and now by history—she is one of the boldest mountaineers India has ever produced.
In May 2022, Piyali Basak etched her name into global mountaineering history by becoming the first Indian woman to summit Mount Everest (8,848 meters) without the aid of supplementary oxygen—a feat achieved by only around 200 climbers worldwide out of nearly 4,000 who have ever reached the summit.
This was not just a climb. It was a declaration.
A Dream Deferred, Not Denied
Her Everest dream almost ended in 2019, when unpredictable weather in Nepal forced her to abandon the expedition. Many would have taken this as fate’s final answer.
Piyali didn’t.
She returned stronger, better trained, and mentally prepared to face the world’s harshest mountain—on her own lungs. When May 2022 arrived, so did history. Standing atop the world, she unfurled the Indian tricolour, carrying not just a flag, but the aspirations of countless Indian women who are told their dreams are “too ambitious.”
Two Peaks in Two Days: Defying Human Limits
As if Everest wasn’t enough, just two days later, Piyali went on to summit Mount Lhotse, the fourth-highest peak in the world.
Her achievements didn’t stop there:
- Mount Dhaulagiri (8,167 m) – First woman to climb it without oxygen (2021)
- Mount Manaslu –
- Annapurna Expedition – Summited on April 17, 2023, one of the most dangerous peaks
- Mount Makalu (8,481 m) – Fifth-highest peak, climbed without oxygen on May 17, 2023
Each summit pushed the limits of human endurance—and each time, she answered with resilience.
Stranded Above Camp IV: The Makalu Ordeal
During her Makalu ascent, fate tested her once again.
Piyali got stranded above Camp IV along with her two guides and Sherpa Ngangwa. For nearly 24 hours, they battled exhaustion, altitude, and the looming threat of death. Rescue finally came through Sherpa Pasang and his team, who brought them down to Camp III. Despite the ordeal, it was later confirmed—she had successfully summited Makalu. With this, Piyali officially became one of only four Indians to have ever conquered the peak.
Even After Everest, She Chose the Classroom
What truly sets her apart?
She never left teaching. Even after conquering the world’s highest peaks, Piyali continues to teach mathematics at a primary school, believing education is the strongest foundation for dreams.
In 2023, she was honored at The Telegraph School Awards for Excellence, where she didn’t just receive applause—she gave back, awarding scholarships to children who refused to surrender to hardship.
Empowering Girls Through Mountains
When she isn’t scaling peaks, Piyali is busy building futures.
She actively:
- Trains girls and young adults in mountaineering
- Provides technical and vocational guidance
- Offers financial support to underprivileged aspirants
- Encourages girls to love mountains and believe in their strength
Why Piyali Basak’s Story Matters to Every Woman
Her journey tells us something vital:
- You don’t need privilege to dream big
- You don’t need perfect conditions to begin
- You don’t need to choose between passion and profession
From maths classroom to Mount Everest, Piyali Basak’s life proves that discipline, courage, and optimism can defeat every odd.
