The World's Top 10 Highest Mountains
Mountain peaks are majestic formations that inspire wonder in anyone who gazes upon them. Often, these peaks also offer a challenge for climbers.
The world’s highest peak is Mount Everest, which is located in the Himalayan range and is also known by its Tibetan name, Chomolungma and Nepalese name, Sagarmatha.
1. Mount Everest
A solitary peak that towers above the surrounding peaks of the Himalayas, Everest has been a challenge to climbers for nearly a century. It is so high that its summit lies within the lower reaches of the jet stream and can thus be buffeted by high winds.
It is not, however, the highest mountain by base-to-summit height. That distinction belongs to Mauna Kea, a dormant volcano on Hawaii’s Big Island.
Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay hold the record for the first humans to reach Everest’s summit, but other mountaineers have also made it to the top. It’s difficult to live at such an altitude, where oxygen is scarce and the weather harsh. The summit is covered in rock-hard snow and ice, but higher down the mountain there are plants like moss and rhododendrons. A glacier stretches down the mountain to the base.
2. K2
K2 is part of the Karakoram mountain range that straddles the border between Pakistan and China. Like Mount Everest (known as Chomolungma in Tibet and Sagarmatha in Nepal), it's one of the world’s “eight-thousanders,” peaks that are over 8,000 meters tall.
Climbers call K2 the 'Savage Mountain’ due to its difficult ascent and high death rate. The peak's first successful ascent was by an Italian team in 1954, and since then the number of summits has steadily increased, although many have lost their lives trying.
The summit of K2 features a notorious bottleneck, a terrifying traverse beneath a field of city block-sized seracs that can fall and destroy climbers with no warning. This nail-biting feature of the route makes it the most dangerous of all the 8,000-meter mountains, with a climbing fatality rate that exceeds 25% before 2021.
3. Dhaulagiri
With its steep slopes and five sharp ridges, Dhaulagiri (meaning White Mountain) is one of the world's toughest peaks. This eight-thousander — the seventh highest mountain on the planet — is also notoriously difficult to climb in winter.
Climbers often lose their lives on Dhaulagiri, and it wasn't until 1960 that a team of Swiss and Austrian climbers found a way to its summit via the NE ridge route. Since then, it's become the standard climbing itinerary for this impressive peak.
Dhaulagiri is the highest mountain completely within Nepal, and is positioned directly north of Annapurna in the Dhaulagiri Himal. The two mountains are separated by a deep gorge carved out of the Kali Gandaki River. This gorge is said to be the deepest in the world. Fredrick Ericsson attempted to make the first ski descent from Dhaulagiri in 2008, but was forced to turn back at 8000 meters due to weather conditions.
4. Manaslu
Mount Manaslu is located in the Himalayas in Nepal and lies on the border with Tibet. It is a challenging mountain to climb and requires great physical strength as well as detailed preparation. The region is inhabited by various ethnic groups, including the Gurungs and Tamangs, who have rich cultural traditions that can be enjoyed on a trek in Manaslu.
Although it is often referred to as an “easy” 8,000-meter peak, it is not without its challenges. The first attempt to climb the mountain was made on May 9, 1956, when a Japanese expedition led by Toshio Imanishi and including Gyalzen Norbu Sherpa successfully reached the summit. The area is also home to a variety of wildlife, including snow leopards and yak, that have adapted to the extreme conditions. The peaks and ridges of Manaslu feature glaciers, high-mountain lakes, and rocky terrain.
5. Makalu
While Everest tends to hog the spotlight, other mountains in the Himalayas deserve serious recognition. These ten members of the “eight-thousander” club (mountains that are taller than 8,000 meters) are some of the most difficult to summit, featuring steep pitches and knife-edged ridges that leave climbers exposed to the elements.
Located east of Mount Everest in the Mahalanger Himalaya, Makalu is a dramatic four-sided pyramid mountain with two lower subsidiary summits. The peak straddles the border between Nepal and South Central Tibet.
Its classic pyramid shape is a result of glacial erosion that formed thin ridges connecting the summit. Makalu is also a popular trekking peak and is part of the Makalu Barun National Park, which protects pristine Himalayan ecosystems. It was first climbed on May 15, 1955 by Lionel Terray and Jean Couzy during a French Makalu Expedition led by Jean Franco.
6. Gyachung Kang
Although peaks like Everest tend to get all the attention, every continent has its own giant mountains, and Asia is no exception. The top 10 highest peaks in the world are all located within the Himalayas, and all but two of them are over 8,000 meters high.
The 15th highest peak in the world is Gyachung Kang, a majestic mountain that lies on the border between Nepal and China in the Mahalangur Himal region of the Himalayas. It was first climbed by a Japanese expedition team in 1964.
Known in local languages as Kangchenjunga, this mountain is sacred to both Nepalese and Sikkim people, so it has never been fully climbed. Its imposing height and treacherous terrain make it one of the most difficult peaks to ascend in the Himalayas. It also has a fascinating flora, as it is home to a number of hardy and resilient plant species.
7. Mauna Kea
Known for its incredibly dry, clear atmosphere, Mauna Kea is home to some of the world's most powerful observatories. Its fertile lower slopes support agriculture, including coffee beans.
It is also considered sacred by the Hawaiian people, who believe it connects heaven and earth. Its name comes from Wakea, the sky father, and Papahanaumoku, the Earth Mother.
In addition to the summit, the Mauna Kea volcano is dotted with cinder and pumice cones and is home to several large astronomical observatories. While the mountain is considered difficult to climb, a relatively high number of climbers successfully reach its peak, although it has the highest fatality rate among all 8000ers (38%). Only the most experienced and well-equipped climbers should attempt the volcano's summit. For the rest, there are easier hikes and sightseeing opportunities on its lower slopes.
8. Shishapangma
Mount Shishapangma is the smallest peak among the eight-thousanders, but it packs quite a punch with its breathtaking altitude. It features multiple ridges connecting to the central summit, and its shapely pyramid appearance makes it stand out from other peaks in the region.
In 1999, an avalanche on the mountain’s south face killed famed American climber Alex Lowe and cameraman David Bridges. The resulting rubble from the slide spread over an area larger than Washington, DC.
Climbing the world’s highest mountains is a daunting feat. It requires a lot of time spent in the death zone, where reduced oxygen levels can be deadly. When Rzucidlo and Gutu set out to become the first women to complete all 14 peaks above 8,000 meters, Shishapangma was one of the final peaks on their list. They began their ascent on October 1, and reached base camp on the following day.
9. Lhotse
Lhotse is the fourth highest mountain in the world, located at the border of Tibet and Nepal. Its long east-west crest lies immediately south of Mount Everest and the two mountains are connected by the South Col, a vertical ridge that never drops below 8,000m.
Its enormous west face is a part of the traditional route to Everest, and it features endless, steep pitches of glacial blue ice. Climbers must use a rhythmic movement of pulling and stepping, while lodging their front points into the hard-packed snow and ice.
It was climbed by Andrzej Czok and Jerzy Kukuczka without supplemental oxygen in 1979. The massif has three summits: the main peak at 8,516m, and the Lhotse Middle and Lhotse Shar peaks. It is also a part of the Seven Summits list that was compiled by Reinhold Messner.
10. Makalu
The fifth highest peak in the world, Makalu is a dramatic pyramid-shaped mountain. It straddles the border between Nepal and Tibet Autonomous Region in China.
The summit of Makalu offers jaw-dropping views of the surrounding Himalayan peaks and is known as one of the most difficult of the 8,000 m peaks to climb. It was first climbed on May 15, 1955 by Lionel Terray and Jean Couzy of a French expedition led by Jean Franco.
The explorer and adventurer Carina Ahlqvist recently summited Makalu in support of the ESA’s Climate Change Initiative. The mission was not only to raise awareness but also to collect measurements of the Barun glacier to help understand climate changes in this high altitude area. This data will be used by scientists worldwide to validate Copernicus Sentinel-1 satellite data. It is an important step towards a better understanding of the climate in this remote and challenging part of the world.
