India’s oldest woman at 55 to summit Mount Everest, Jyoti Ratre has achieved extraordinary milestones in mountaineering, conquering the highest peaks on five continents, including Mount Elbrus and Kilimanjaro. Driven by passion and determination, she turned her fitness journey into a record-setting pursuit.  Alongside her mountaineering, she is a successful businesswoman, an artist and an environmental activist.

The #MeriKahani of Jyoti Ratre, who created history by climbing Mount Everest at the age of 55, is a highly inspiring and  fascinating one. It proves that, driven by determination, one can make impossible-looking dreams come true.

A successful entrepreneur from Bhopal, Jyoti Ratre has been at the helm of her business, Perfect Dress, for over 25 years. Established in 1997, her company specializes in designing and distributing school and corporate uniforms.

Over the years, Ratre has expanded Perfect Dress to serve not only Bhopal and Madhya Pradesh but also clients across India, ensuring her products reach institutions and organizations nationwide. As she reflects on the growth of her business, Jyoti Ratre takes pride in the fact that her dedication and perseverance have made Perfect Dress a trusted name in uniform supply.

However, her journey did not stop with her success in business. In 2017, Jyoti Ratre embarked on a new path, one that would ultimately redefine her life. She went on a small trek, experiencing the mountains for the first time, and was deeply moved by their magnificence. That experience sparked an idea inside her: if she could build her fitness, she could pursue trekking more seriously. Inspired by this thought, she decided to transform herself from a casual trekker into a committed mountaineer.

Through rigorous training and unwavering determination, she took on one of the world’s most challenging goals—climbing Mount Everest. On May 19, 2024, Jyoti Ratre made history by reaching Everest’s peak, setting a national record as India’s oldest woman to conquer the summit. This remarkable achievement reflects not only her physical endurance but also her spirit of ambition and determination.

Sharing how this all started, Jyoti Rhatre says that in 2017, when she saw the mountains for the first time, she was captivated, feeling a deep connection with them that ignited a passion in her for mountaineering. At 49, after a life devoted to family and business responsibilities, she was ready to pursue something new just for herself.

However, she faced a significant obstacle: she had no fitness background, had never been an athlete, and hadn’t even been in the habit of regular exercise. But the allure of the mountains and the idea of trekking pushed her to improve her fitness.

She started small, incorporating walking and exercise into her daily routine. In 2018, determined to test her endurance, she set her sights on the Pin Parvati Pass trek in Himachal Pradesh, known as one of India’s most challenging treks. Completing this trek was a turning point for Ratre, as it proved to her that with more training and commitment, she could push even further.

This experience planted an even bigger idea in her mind—a dream to climb Mount Everest. The thought seemed audacious for someone who had just begun her fitness journey. But Ratre’s determination was unshakeable; she knew that if she set a goal, she would pursue it relentlessly, no matter the challenges.

But, she soon realized that her age presented a barrier. She reached out to India’s five mountaineering institutes, only to face rejection due to their age restrictions, with training available only for those under 42.

Many would have taken this as an excuse to abandon the goal, but Ratre did not. Instead, she was even more motivated to find an alternative. She began seeking out experienced mountaineers who had conquered Everest, hoping to gain insights and guidance from them.

As Jyoti Ratre immersed herself in learning about the journey to Everest, she noticed a significant gap between her life experience and that of the young mountaineers who had already completed this challenge. These climbers were all under 30, an age when one’s fitness is naturally higher and the physical body is more resilient.

For her, however, the stakes were different. She was approaching Everest at an age where women often experience natural physical decline. After 45, the body begins facing issues like reduced calcium levels, weaker bones, and other symptoms associated with perimenopause, all of which could impact her climb.

Despite these concerns, Jyoti was undeterred. She turned to blogs and other online resources, reading extensively to understand the demands of mountain climbing and the necessary equipment required. She soon realized that the path to Everest required carrying significant weight on her shoulders, and that physical conditioning meant hours of daily training.

But, as a businesswoman managing both her business and her household, Ratre initially doubted whether she could dedicate the required five to six hours each day for fitness training. However, her resolve to pursue Everest outweighed her doubts, and she decided to push forward with a training plan tailored to her circumstances.

With the same 24 hours in her day that everyone has, Jyoti had to find a creative way to carve out training time. She devised a solution that allowed her to continue her responsibilities at home while conditioning her body at the same time for the physical strain of mountaineering.

Leveraging her garments business, she designed a customized jacket that could carry up to 10-12 kilograms of weight, using iron dust pouches for weight that could be adjusted based on her daily needs. Starting with just half a kilogram, she wore the weighted jacket from morning to evening through her daily routine. She would run in the early morning, wearing the jacket, and then complete her household chores with it on, effectively incorporating training into her everyday life.

Jyoti Ratre’s commitment to her training was unwavering. She dedicated five to six hours daily to weight training, keeping a steady load on her body throughout the day. This regimen, combined with her new gym membership, helped her build the strength she would need for such an ambitious goal.

As she worked on conditioning her body, Jyoti Ratre also learned that ascending Mount Everest required extensive preparatory climbs. Without formal training, she would need to start with climbs on 6,000-7,000-meter high peaks, as well as at least two international mountains.

Just as she was progressing in her preparation, the COVID-19 pandemic hit. For Jyoti, however, this unexpected global halt turned into a unique opportunity. The lockdowns provided her with uninterrupted time to focus on enhancing her physical strength. By October 2020, as restrictions eased, Ratre was ready to test her abilities further. She set out for Manali, where she planned to scale Mount Deo Tibba.

Choosing this peak was strategic, as the climb offered two distinct types of training, each vital for her Everest preparations. Conquering Deo Tibba significantly boosted her confidence, affirming that she was moving in the right direction.

Next, Ratre set her sights on Mount Elbrus, the highest peak in Europe, located in Russia. When she reached the summit, she hadn’t anticipated the impact this achievement would have. After descending, she was informed by the mountaineering federation that she had set a national record as the oldest Indian woman to scale Mount Elbrus, a feat she accomplished at the age of 52. This remarkable achievement brought Jyoti Ratre significant media attention.

She shares that when she was in Moscow, she received a call from Akashvani for an interview, and her husband also called to share the excitement back home. Reflecting on her journey, she says she humorously told her husband that had she known this level of media attention would follow, she might have thought twice about climbing. Although scaling mountains had become her passion, the idea of public speaking and interviews was a whole new challenge for her, one she found nearly as daunting as her climbs.

Jyoti Ratre’s journey continued with new challenges that further prepared her for Everest. Following her successful climb of Mount Elbrus, she set out for Mount Kilimanjaro to test her endurance at high altitudes. This peak, known for its intense, prolonged climbs, was ideal for building her stamina. She explains that her choice of Mount Elbrus was specifically to experience its erratic, Everest-like weather patterns, allowing her to acclimate to rapid changes in weather conditions.

The next milestone in her training was to complete a 7,000-meter peak. She initially planned to conquer Mount Aconcagua, a mountain in Argentina but the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted her journey, forcing her to turn back from Delhi Airport. Nevertheless, Jyoti emphasizes the importance of resilience and planning in pursuit of your goals.

She shares that she had an alternative plan: a winter trek to Everest Base Camp, an unusual choice given the extreme winter conditions in Nepal. She sought special permission for this winter trek, when the temperature was minus 28 degree Celsius and on January 26, she proudly hoisted the Indian flag there, a patriotic moment that marked yet another record in her journey.

As her ambitions grew, Jyoti successfully summited Mount Aconcagua in Argentina on January 3, 2023. In March of the same year, she felt ready for her ultimate goal—Mount Everest. She was in peak physical condition and mentally prepared to face the formidable mountain.

However, as she approached Everest, she realized that climbing the world’s highest peak is not merely a test of fitness or mental strength. The challenges of Everest are unique, and even under ideal conditions, one cannot predict the mountain’s temperamental demands.

Jyoti Ratre describes each step of her ascent to conquer Mount Everest in vivid detail. Upon reaching Everest Base Camp, she began a week-long training session to prepare herself for the next stages of the climb. Following this, her rotations commenced, starting with the trek to Camp 1. Typically, climbers stay for a night at Camp 1 and then return to Base Camp to rest for several days before moving further.

The route was grueling, particularly at the perilous Khumbu Icefall, a challenging obstacle shortly after Base Camp. Once she crossed it, she progressed through the rotations, moving from Camp 1 to Camp 2, and back down to Base Camp to recover. This preparation was crucial, as Everest offers only a small weather window of about 4-5 days each year during which climbers can attempt reaching the summit. Most of the year, the mountain's extreme conditions make a summit attempt impossible.

Once Jyoti and her team identified a suitable weather window, they began their ascent in earnest. Moving from Camp 1 to Camp 2, they stayed there overnight, then continued to Camp 3, followed by Camp 4, the last camp before the summit which is located in Everest's infamous "Death Zone." For Jyoti, reaching Camp 4 was thrilling; she was filled with anticipation and excitement, imagining the Indian flag flying high on Everest the next morning.

However, as she prepared for the final leg of the climb to the summit, the journey took a perilous turn. She explains that climbers typically begin the summit push at night, and as a slower-paced climber, Jyoti set out around 5:00 a.m. However, despite her slow but steady progress, she soon found herself in the midst of a powerful and sudden storm.

The intensity of the storm caused chaos on the mountain, and the radio channels were filled with desperate messages: some climbers had gone missing, while others had tragically lost their lives. The storm was brutal, and a call went out for all climbers to return to Camp 4 immediately to avoid further casualties or injury.

When Jyoti arrived back at Camp 4 at Lhotse, she learned that one of her co-climbers had gone missing in the storm. As already explained, Camp 4 lies within the Death Zone, where oxygen is sparse, and every climber’s survival depends on their own supplies and the aid of their Sherpas.

Despite the inherent risks and the established practice that climbers and Sherpas in the Death Zone do not typically share resources due to the life-threatening nature of the conditions, Jyoti felt a deep obligation to help.

Displaying remarkable compassion, she made the decision to send her Sherpa to search for and assist her missing co-climber, despite knowing it might mean sacrificing her own summit attempt. She knew that without her Sherpa, her chances of summiting Everest would be significantly reduced, especially if the storm worsened.

But for Ratre, the value of a human life took precedence over personal achievement. She chose to put humanity above ambition, willing to forgo her lifelong dream to save someone.

Though her Everest expedition took an unexpected turn when she chose to halt her climb, prioritizing the life of a fellow mountaineer over her dream of reaching the summit, Jyoti felt no regret for her decision. Rather, she felt fulfilled, knowing that the real victory lay in saving a life rather than planting a flag. However, returning home presented its own challenges. Her family, concerned for her safety, urged her to abandon mountaineering and not to attempt anything as dangerous as the Death Zone again.

Though saddened at the thought of her Everest dream slipping away, Jyoti began looking for new goals. She channeled her passion for extreme endurance by preparing to become an ultra-runner, setting her sights on long-distance running events.

In December 2023, she successfully completed the SRT Ultra in Pune, a renowned ultra-marathon, which boosted her confidence significantly. Following this achievement, she set her next target: to become an ultra-runner in the Sahara Desert.

Rhatre shares that, although she initially thought her dream of summiting Mount Everest might remain unfulfilled, the unwavering support of her family brought her immense happiness. She says that it was their unwavering support that had enabled her to accomplish remarkable feats, reaching the highest peaks on four continents. It was their encouragement, which had enabled her to climb up to 8,200 meters on Everest, leaving only the final 600 meters to the summit.

However, in January, her family presented her with an unexpected opportunity. They encouraged her to consider attempting Everest once more, despite their initial reservations. Jyoti was both stunned and hesitant; she had already shifted her focus to ultra-running and hadn’t trained specifically for Everest.

Knowing the immense risks and hardships involved, she was uncertain if she could prepare herself mentally and physically again in time for another Everest expedition. It took a month for her to accept the idea, as she weighed her dream against the dangers she had experienced firsthand. Ultimately, the thought of finally fulfilling her lifelong ambition won, and Jyoti decided to embark on her second attempt on Everest.

In March, Jyoti Ratre returned to Everest with renewed determination, feeling that this time her dream might become a reality. The expedition began smoothly, and by mid-May, she was on track to reach the summit. Her plan was to raise the Indian flag atop Everest on May 15. However, as she made her way from Camp 3 on May 13, a storm warning disrupted her progress. She was scheduled to arrive at Camp 4 on May 14, but the impending severe weather forced her to halt her climb once again.

Before reaching Camp 4, she faced the perilous environment where climbers typically only stay a few hours due to the extreme cold and thin air. However, severe weather conditions trapped Jyoti and her team in the tent for four days. The temperature plummeted to minus 30 degrees, and the storm outside was so fierce that they couldn’t even open their tent by two inches. During this time, her chief Sherpa fell gravely ill, developing pneumonia. He warned that staying one more day could be fatal for everyone.

Undeterred by her Sherpa’s warnings, Jyoti’s determination to reach the summit was unwavering. She suggested he descend to safety if needed, but she was committed to her mission. Determined to continue, she acquired another guide and, on May 19 at 6:30 am, she stood triumphantly atop Mount Everest, proudly raising the Indian flag.

This remarkable achievement not only fulfilled a long-held dream for her but also set a national record—she became India’s oldest woman to conquer Mount Everest. Following her success on Everest, she has now set her sights on her next mission, planning to climb Mount Vinson in Antarctica by December, 2024.

Talking about her early years, Jyoti Ratre shares that she was born in Mhow, a small town in Indore. Her father’s job as a sub-engineer in PHA required the family to move frequently, exposing her to life in various cities.

She completed her B.Sc. in Biology in Harda, Madhya Pradesh. Back then, it was common for women to marry young, and after graduating, she followed that path. After her marriage, she moved to Indore with her husband, where she went on to earn her M.A. in Mathematical Economics. Jyoti’s entrepreneurial journey began shortly after, spurred by a simple necessity driven by her daughter’s needs.

In 1991, Jyoti Ratre found herself in a situation familiar to many mothers—struggling to find well-fitting clothes for her child due to a lack of options in the market. Standard children’s clothing sizes often did not accommodate her daughter's unique build.

If she chose clothes based on her daughter's body, they would be too long; if she chose them for height, they wouldn’t fit her well. This prompted Jyoti to take matters into her own hands. She bought a sewing machine and catalogs to get started on making clothes herself, despite the lack of internet resources and professional guidance at that time.

Initially, Jyoti faced challenges as she lacked formal training. However, through perseverance and practice, she gradually honed her skills. With growing confidence, she decided to take a step further and pursue a 6-month diploma in Fashion Design.

This course not only enhanced her skills but also opened her eyes to a potential business opportunity: the school uniform industry. She realized that by entering this field, she could create a sustainable business that would allow her to balance her family life and financial independence.

Starting with a small setup, Jyoti Ratre took on her first orders for school uniforms. Her initial clients included two schools that provided her with an advance payment, enabling her to fund the materials she needed. With limited resources and no business background, Jyoti and a single tailor worked tirelessly to fulfill these orders.

When she made her first profit of 15,000 rupees, she felt an overwhelming sense of pride, knowing that she had achieved her first milestone as an independent business woman.

Over time, word of Jyoti’s quality and commitment spread. Her business steadily expanded, growing from serving two schools to working with 15 schools, four to five colleges, and even two universities.

Today, her company, Perfect Dress, stands as a testament to her dedication and resilience, fulfilling uniform orders across multiple educational institutions in and beyond Madhya Pradesh.

Currently, she runs four manufacturing workshops where she produces a variety of clothing items, including T-shirts, tracksuits, blazers, coats, shirts, and pants. This extensive operation supports her business’s two retail counters, which serve as outlets for her branded products.

This business success, she shares, was instrumental in funding her Mount Everest expedition, as mountaineering is an expensive pursuit. The income from her ventures allowed her to realize a passion that might otherwise have remained unattainable.

Within her business, Jyoti plays multiple roles. As a designer, she creates unique pieces, and as an artist, she fulfills her creative aspirations, something that extended to her journey on Mount Everest.

The experience of mountaineering, she explains, is filled with physical and mental challenges, and it’s not uncommon to encounter distressing sights, including the bodies of climbers who lost their lives. The psychological toll can be immense, and it’s easy to fall into a negative mindset in such extreme conditions.

To counter this, Jyoti turned to art. She began to doodle and sketch during her climb, using her artistic skills to maintain positivity and focus amidst the daunting surroundings.

Her creative outlet on Everest wasn’t just a personal solace; it became a milestone in her life. She created a world record by sketching at an altitude of 7,900 meters—the highest altitude at which any artist has sketched to date. This accomplishment has been registered as a world record, with formal certification pending, and she looks forward to sharing this achievement once it’s officially recognized.

Beyond her artistic expression, Jyoti’s creativity also manifests in the costumes she designs for special events, fulfilling her desire to create and bring her ideas to life through costume design.

In her message to other women, Jyoti Ratre emphasizes that life is far from over at the age of 50; in fact, she believes it is just a beginning. She encourages women to realize that after dedicating so much of their life to family and responsibilities, it’s never too late to pursue their own personal dreams and aspirations that may have once seemed out of reach.

Ratre herself saw the dream of scaling Mount Everest at the age of 49 and accomplished it by 55, underscoring that with determination, one can accomplish anything, regardless of age.

She encourages everyone to find and pursue their personal mountains, noting that each journey is unique and deeply personal. Jyoti’s message is simple yet profound: by conquering our own challenges, we achieve our highest potential.

When asked about her role models or sources of inspiration, she proudly shares that she draws motivation from within herself. Rather than looking to others for inspiration, Jyoti believes that true motivation must come from within.

She sets her own goals, finds her own drive, and constantly evaluates her progress by looking at how far she has come, not by comparing herself to others. For her, the act of self-reflection—looking back to measure one’s growth—is one of the most powerful motivators. She emphasizes that external inspiration can fuel us for a short time, but true, lasting motivation comes only when we are inspired by our own achievements and driven by our inner goals.

Jyoti Ratre also shares her personal motto, a line she lives by: “Believe in yourself. If you believe in yourself, you can win every battle.” To her, self-belief is essential, and it is what empowers individuals to overcome any obstacle.

While it’s easy to look to others for validation, she insists that the most crucial belief is in oneself. This self-belief, she says, is the driving force behind every accomplishment.

Reflecting on her career as an entrepreneur, Jyoti Ratre notes that she hasn’t faced major challenges in managing her business, largely because she approaches her work with meticulous planning. Every order is handled with a well-structured approach, ensuring deadlines are met and customers are satisfied.

However, her mountaineering journey has presented numerous challenges, each requiring her to push herself physically and mentally. The first and foremost challenge in mountaineering was bringing herself to a level of fitness where she could face the extreme demands of high-altitude climbing.

For Jyoti, challenges in mountaineering were not just about physical endurance but also about mental resilience. She had to constantly train herself, build her strength, and develop a mindset capable of facing unforeseen difficulties.

Jyoti Ratre explains that she devotes considerable time to exercises focused on mental strength, which has proven invaluable throughout her journey. One of her most challenging experiences was spending four days and three nights at the Lhotse Camp amidst a relentless storm. The intense snowfall required her team to clear their tent every hour or two, as it would constantly fill with snow.

During those long hours, she found herself wondering why she wasn’t feeling any fear. She reflects that even in the comfort of home, when a storm hits, fear can often take over. Yet here, amidst such harsh conditions, she felt none of it.

She believes her lack of fear stemmed from her unwavering focus on her goal of conquering Mount Everest. This vision was so deeply rooted in her mind and heart that every challenge around her seemed secondary, almost invisible. She recalls that numerous difficulties arose along the way, but her mental strength carried her through each one, allowing her to overcome all obstacles on her path to the summit.

Sharing some of her significant achievements, Jyoti Ratre reveals that throughout her mountaineering journey, she has conquered at least 10-12 peaks, including the highest peaks on five continents. This accomplishment has earned her a national record, making her the oldest Indian woman to scale these five summits. She proudly holds certificates from the Indian Book of Records, officially documenting these achievements.

Discussing her artistic journey, Jyoti mentions that during her climb of Mount Everest, she expressed her creativity through doodling. This work led to her first exhibition at Ravindra Bhavan, which received a warm and positive response from the audience. This exhibition, part of a group showcase, marked her initial step into the world of art, and she hopes to continue by organizing a solo exhibition in the future. She was even awarded an appreciation certificate for her work, which has motivated her to explore art further.

Looking forward, Jyoti Ratre feels excited about what lies ahead. She believes that a monotonous life can feel dull, so she’s now keen on integrating art into her journey. Her aim is to continue pushing her boundaries and bringing new dimensions to her life through her creative pursuits.

Jyoti’s advice to newcomers, regardless of the field they choose, is to develop a deep and thorough understanding of their chosen domain. She believes it’s essential to envision oneself in that field, to recognize one’s strengths and limitations, and to actively work on your shortcomings. Jyoti encourages everyone to aim for the highest goals, emphasizing that success rarely comes easily. Hard work, she insists, is the path to achieving one’s aspirations.

She further advises maintaining an unwavering focus on one’s goals, as this focus helps minimize distractions and makes challenges seem smaller in comparison to the larger vision.

Jyoti’s message to everyone is that there’s no age limit to dreaming—dream with open eyes, not closed ones. She believes that once you’ve set a goal, pursue it relentlessly, and success will inevitably follow.

Jyoti Ratre shares that a significant part of her life is dedicated to her love for nature, and she actively works toward environmental conservation. She proudly mentions her neighborhood, Bijli Nagar Colony in Bhopal, which has won the first prize for cleanliness for the past three years. She explains that this achievement began with her simple habit of sweeping in front of her house, which gradually inspired other residents in the colony to do the same.

When Ratre had first moved into the colony, there were no trees around. She was the first to plant saplings, and today, these trees have matured over 15–20 years, creating a green sanctuary in front of her home. This mini-forest now attracts 10-12 species of birds, each vibrant in color, that build their nests among the branches. Jyoti even assists these birds during nesting season by gathering small sticks and other nesting materials, keeping them nearby so the birds don’t have to travel far to build their homes.

Jyoti Ratre has been planting trees for over 15 years, with 40-45 saplings having grown into full-sized trees under her care. She doesn’t just plant them but also nurtures them, protecting them from animals for the first two to three years until they’re strong enough to thrive on their own.

Her message to others is simple yet powerful: “Plant trees, and they will multiply and grow into a thriving ecosystem.” She takes pride in the fact that her entire neighborhood is now polythene-free, with even local fruit and vegetable vendors avoiding plastic. Jyoti has also joined hands with an organization to promote a no-polythene campaign, traveling to different places to distribute cloth bags as an alternative to plastic.

Additionally, Jyoti Ratre is associated with an organization dedicated to supporting underprivileged children. Through her business, she often has surplus uniforms, which she generously distributes to children in need, helping them access quality clothing for school. Her passion for both nature and community welfare reflects her dedication to making a positive impact in every way she can.

Jyoti Ratre’s story embodies the belief that anyone can fulfill their dreams, emphasizing that everyone has their own “Mount Everest” to conquer, whatever that might mean to them.