Arunachal’s Kabak Yano becomes first Nyishi woman to scale Mount Everest

Guwahati: Kabak Yano, a woman climber from the Northeast state of Arunachal Pradesh has etched her name in the annals of history by summiting Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak, on May 21 this year. 

With this remarkable achievement, Yano has become the fifth woman climber from the frontier state and the first woman from the Nyishi community to achieve this feat.

Yano embarked on her journey to Mount Everest on March 27 departing for Nepal's Kathmandu. After thorough preparation, she arrived at the base camp on April 17 and successfully reached the summit on May 21.

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Born on September 5, 1999, in Arunachal Pradesh, Yano's journey to this significant accomplishment has been marked by personal challenges, particularly following the loss of her father in 2022.

Her father worked as a casual labourer in the Public Works Department (PWD). After her father’s death, Yano took on the responsibility of supporting her family. 

To fund her education and household expenses, she engaged in various jobs, such as working as a bouncer, working in a beauty parlour and in the clothing business. 

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These experiences instilled in her resilience and determination, which proved to be vital traits in her pursuit of mountaineering endeavours. 

Yano drew inspiration from Abraham Tagit Sorang, a renowned mountaineer from her state. Sorang's remarkable achievements and dedication to mountaineering served as a source of motivation and guidance for Yano.

During her ascent on Mount Everest, Yano faced perilous obstacles such as navigating through the treacherous Khumbu icefall, avoiding dangerous crevasses, and coping with the thin air at high altitudes.

Yano is pursuing her post graduate diploma in fitness management at the Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) campus in Arunachal Pradesh's Pasighat. 

In acknowledgment of her accomplishments, the RRU intends to support Yano's future pursuits through advanced training opportunities, educational assistance and potential teaching roles. 

The university also aims to utilise her story as inspiration for other students to pursue their aspirations.