Woman mountaineer aces North America’s highest volcano at 57

Bhopal: Jyoti Ratre, a 57-year-old Everester from Madhya Pradesh, on May 30 hoisted the Tricolour atop Pico de Orizaba, North America’s highest volcano and Mexico’s tallest mountain peak, on May 30 to become the oldest Indian woman to summit that peak. The climb also made her the oldest Indian woman to have unfurled the national flag on the highest volcanoes across three continents.

Ratre, an entrepreneur who supplies uniforms to schools, set out on the final summit push at 12:42 am local time and reached the 5,636 metres (18,491 feet) summit at 11:10 am after an arduous 10-hour-and-28-minute ascent. The push involved a vertical gain of around 1,400m in a single effort — a demanding feat for climbers of any age and especially notable given Ratre’s age.

The expedition tested endurance and experience: summit-side temperatures plunged to between -15°C and -18°C, with wind-chill making conditions feel near -20°C. Teams battled fierce winds, icy slopes, glaciers and volcanic rock en route to the peak.

Ratre said the descent was even more challenging than the climb, but that the sight of the Tiranga waving on the summit made every hardship worthwhile. “This expedition is dedicated to those rural women who face struggles every single day and yet continue to nurture their families and their dreams with a smile,” Ratre said after the climb, dedicating the achievement to rural women across India.

The milestone adds to her distinguished mountaineering record, which includes summiting Mount Everest, and underscores her position as an inspiration for women’s empowerment and perseverance.

Her achievement has drawn attention in India, where observers praised the 57-year-old’s resilience and leadership. Mountaineering experts noted that such high-altitude volcanic climbs demand technical skills, acclimatisation and robust physical conditioning, making Ratre’s accomplishment particularly significant at her age.

Ratre’s expedition formed part of a broader initiative she calls “From Summit to Strength,” aimed at highlighting the resolve of rural Indian women. She said the climb was intended to spotlight their unrecognised struggles and endurance.