Namba, Yasuko (1949–1996)

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Namba, Yasuko (1949–1996)

Japanese mountain climber. Born Feb 7, 1949, in Japan; died May 10, 1996, on Mount Everest; m. Kenichi Namba.

Scaled 6 of the highest peaks in the world; became the 2nd Japanese woman to reach the top of Mount Everest, but died on the descent, along with 7 others, when a sudden storm with hurricane force winds swept the peak.

See also Jon Krakauer, Into Thin Air (1998).