Ever seen a mountain that you didn't want to conquer? Neither did Junko Tabei, the first woman to reach the top of Everest in 1975. And that was just the beginning. Junko Tabei went on to bag all of the Seven Summits (the highest peaks on each continent) by 1992, carving out a legendary reputation in a typically male-dominated arena. Oh, did we mention she survived an avalanche in the process?

Trained in literature, she also penned seven books, her words as compelling as her mountaineering feats. Tabei's triumphs on icy cliffs also included a personal crusade: she spearheaded environmental efforts to conserve the mountains she loved. As a tribute to Tabei’s unshakeable spirit, an asteroid was named after her posthumously.