Henan’s female mountaineer makes history by summiting Everest 3 times

At 9:29 a.m. on May 24, triumphant news came from the north slope of Mount Everest: Chinese female mountaineer Sun Ning, contemporary artist and Henan-born climber, stood on the “roof of the world”, reaching the world’s highest peak.

Sun Ning is not only the first mountaineer from Central China’s Henan province to summit Mount Everest from both its north and south sides, but has also set a new provincial mountaineering record by successful ascent three times. This trailblazing accomplishment highlights the growing mountaineering ambitions in Central China.

China’s mountaineering achievements reflect the nation’s sporting progress. Sixty-five years ago, Wang Fuzhou, also a Henan native, made history as the first Chinese to summit Everest, completing the first-ever north slope ascent with his team, which is a monumental feat to the nation.

Sixty-five years later, Sun Ning, also a native of Zhoukou, Henan, repeated the feat and once again crossed the towering height of 8,848.86 meters. While marking her third successful summit of Everest, this first northern route climb prompted her deeper reflection.

Compared to the southern route, climbing Everest’s north side poses far greater challenges, from unpredictable and extreme weather to severe oxygen depletion and extreme cold at high altitudes. The terrain features deep crevasses and steep cliffs. Most daunting of all is the notorious “Second Step” at 8,700 meters, often referred to as an insurmountable barrier, of which the most seasoned climbers turn pale at the mention.

According to the climbing plan provided by Sun Ning, it took her team six days to reach the summit after departing from Everest Base Camp. On the first day, they ascended from 5,200 meters to 5,800 meters. The second day took them to 6,500 meters, followed by a climb to 7,028 meters on the third day. On day four, they pushed to 7,790 meters, and on the fifth day, they reached Camp at 8,300 meters. In the early hours of the sixth day, around 2 a.m., they launched their final summit push, climbing from 8,300 meters to the top of the world.

“Compared to the south route, climbing from the north side is on a whole different level of difficulty,” Sun Ning told Henan Daily, “Many times, I had to find my own way clinging to the cliffs, with nothing but my crampons and bare hands to rely on.”

About Sun Ning

Born in Chinese philosopher Laozi’s birthplace of Luyi county, Zhoukou city, Henan province, Sun Ning first dreamed of climbing Mount Everest in her high school geography class, after seeing its image. In 2012, during her graduation trip, she stood with Everest behind her and wrote on Weibo: “One day, I will reach the summit, no matter if it takes five years, ten, or even longer.” That moment marked the beginning of her 13-year mountaineering journey.

In May 2019, Sun Ning claimed a historic first, summiting Everest from its south.

In 2021, she made her first attempt from its north, but was forced to turn back at 7,300 meters due to unforeseen circumstances.

In 2023, she successfully summited again via the southern route.

On May 24, 2025, she completed the north-side ascent, becoming the first climber from Henan to conquer Everest from both the north and south routes. With a total of three successful ascents, she set a new record in Henan’s mountaineering history.