In Irkutsk, a memorial plaque was unveiled in memory of mountaineer Ekaterina Ivanova, the first Soviet woman to conquer Everest. At the ceremony, it was stressed that her courage and achievements will forever remain an example for novice climbers and part of the history of Russian and world mountaineering.

“We can be proud of many of our fellow townspeople who bring honor to our city. Among them, a special place belongs to Ekaterina Ivanova. This amazing ability to improve one’s inner qualities, build character, and overcome oneself teaches all of us a great deal. No one remained indifferent when the mountaineering federation came forward with the initiative to install a memorial plaque for the climber on the building where she lived — in the Universitetsky microdistrict — and we also actively supported this initiative,” said Duma Speaker Andrey Labygin.
“The bright memory of Ekaterina Ivanova will forever remain in our hearts, in the hearts of her family and loved ones, and friends,” said Deputy Mayor — Chairman of the Committee on Social Policy and Culture of the Irkutsk City Administration Igor Borisov in his speech. “She will always be an example for beginning climbers. To this day, no female climber in Russia has surpassed her achievement. Her name will forever remain in the annals not only of domestic but also of world mountaineering, in the memory of fans of this sport.”
The plaque was unveiled by 2012 Russian Mountaineering Champion Denis Veretenin and Mountaineering Federation Chair Alexandra Finkelstein, after descending from the roof of the five-story building.
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In 1990, as part of an international expedition, Ekaterina Ivanova, after two months of persistent work, became the first Soviet woman to climb Everest — she reached an altitude of more than 8,800 meters. The climber was awarded the Order “For Personal Courage.” The Himalayas brought Ekaterina worldwide fame. After making ascents of three more Himalayan eight-thousanders, Ekaterina Ivanova tragically died under an avalanche during the ascent of the fourth peak, Kangchenjunga in the Himalayas, in 1994. Since then, over more than 20 years, despite all technological progress in the field of sports technology, only three Russian women have managed to reach the highest point on the planet.
Based on materials from the press service of the Irkutsk City Administration