Anshu Jamsenpa climbed Mount Everest twice within five days in May 2017. Her summits came on 16 May and 21 May. The achievement set the women’s record for the fastest double ascent of Everest.
Five Everest summits
How did the five climbs add up?
Anshu first reached Everest’s summit on 12 May 2011. She returned to the summit on 21 May 2011. Those dates were nine days apart.
Both climbs happened during the same climbing season. A double ascent means two summit visits, rather than one climb described twice.
In 2013, she reached the top for the third time. She joined the North East India Everest Expedition.
Her fourth summit came on 16 May 2017. Her fifth followed on 21 May 2017. The second 2017 summit completed her record-setting double ascent.
The total follows a simple count: two climbs in 2011, one in 2013 and two in 2017. That makes five summit visits.
Sources: Anshu’s 2021 interview · Government: First Ladies profiles · Guinness: fastest double ascent
Count the summit visits
Diagram sources: Anshu’s 2021 interview · Government: First Ladies profiles
Check 1. Anshu’s fifth Everest summit was on 21 May 2017.
What did the five-day record measure?
Anshu returned to base camp after the first summit in May 2017. She then climbed to the summit again. The record therefore covered two separate ascents.
The five-day description concerns the interval between her two summit visits. It does not mean all her training and preparation took five days.
Her climbs used extra oxygen from cylinders. The record should not be described as an oxygen-free ascent.
For example, “fastest double ascent by a woman” and “climbed without extra oxygen” describe different achievements. One claim does not establish the other.
Sources: Guinness: fastest double ascent · Anshu recalls the two climbs
Check 2. The five-day record means Anshu climbed without extra oxygen.
Family, training and honours
Where did Anshu’s journey begin?
Anshu was born in Dirang, in Arunachal Pradesh’s West Kameng district. Her father served in the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). Her mother was a nurse.
She is married to Tsering Wange and has two daughters. Her husband and children supported her climbing career.
She prepared through running, gym work, yoga, aerobics and hiking. She also climbed other peaks before attempting Everest.
Physical preparation and support from other people had different roles. Training built her readiness for climbing. Family support helped her continue through the demands of her career.
Sources: Anshu’s 2021 interview · Anshu’s 2025 interview
Which awards recognised her achievements?
Anshu received the CNN-IBN Young Indian Leader Award in 2011. She also received the Woman Achiever of the Year award for 2011–12.
The latter award came from the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). Arunachal Pradesh named her Tourism Icon of the Year in 2017.
Sources: Speaker biography and honours · Anshu’s 2025 interview
Why do the award dates differ?
Anshu received the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award for 2017. The presentation took place in 2018. The award year and ceremony year therefore describe different parts of the same honour.
In 2021, she received the Padma Shri. It is India’s fourth-highest civilian honour. A civilian honour can recognise achievement in sport.
Her 2017 double ascent and 2021 Padma Shri were four years apart. The climbing date identifies the achievement; the award date identifies the later recognition.
Sources: President: 2017 adventure award · 2021 Padma awards · Anshu’s 2025 interview
Check 3. An award for 2017 can be presented in 2018.
Read the record precisely
Why are the 2011 and 2017 climbs different?
Anshu completed two double ascents: one pair in 2011 and another in 2017. The dates identify which pair a question means.
In 2011, the two summits were nine days apart. In 2017, they were five days apart. The later pair set the specific women’s speed record.
She became the first Indian woman to reach Everest’s summit five times. That is a historical first. It should not be confused with a current record for the highest total.
For example, a question about the five-day achievement needs 2017. A question about her first double ascent needs 2011. A question about her third summit needs 2013.
Sources: Anshu’s 2021 interview · Guinness: fastest double ascent · President: 2017 adventure award
Two pairs, different intervals
Diagram sources: Anshu’s 2021 interview · Guinness: fastest double ascent
Check 4. Anshu’s 2011 double ascent was the five-day record.
Questions and answers
What dates should I remember?
16 and 21 May 2017 form the five-day pair. Her earlier pair was 12 and 21 May 2011.
How many summit visits made the total five?
Two in 2011, one in 2013 and two in 2017 made five.
Did five days include all her preparation?
No. The five-day description concerns the interval between two summit visits. Her training came before those climbs.
Is the Padma Shri the adventure award?
No. She received the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award for 2017 and the Padma Shri in 2021.
5 practice MCQs
Check the dates, summit count and record.
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