Mountains have always fascinated humans, not just for their towering heights but also for the awe-inspiring beauty they offer and the immense challenges they pose to climbers.
When it comes to towering peaks, the 14 tallest mountains on Earth stand out, all exceeding 8,000 meters (26,247 feet) in height.
These peaks are often referred to as the “eight-thousanders,” and they represent some of the most extreme and dangerous climbs in the world.
Let’s take a closer look at these magnificent giants and the remarkable feats of mountaineering required to conquer them.
1. Mount Everest – 8,848.86 meters (29,031.7 feet)
Mount Everest, located in the Himalayas on the border between Nepal and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, is the highest mountain in the world.
Standing at 8,848.86 meters (29,031.7 feet), it is the ultimate prize for mountaineers. Climbing Everest is an extraordinary challenge, requiring extreme physical endurance, technical skill, and mental fortitude.
Climbers face treacherous weather conditions, altitude sickness, and the risk of avalanches. However, despite the dangers, it remains the most popular destination for mountaineers aiming to reach the highest point on Earth.
Key Facts:
- First summit: 1953 by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay.
- Most dangerous: The “Death Zone” above 8,000 meters, where oxygen is scarce.
2. K2 (Mount Godwin-Austen) – 8,611 meters (28,251 feet)
K2, located in the Karakoram range between Pakistan and China, is the second tallest mountain on Earth.
Known for its extreme difficulty and high fatality rate, K2 is often regarded as the most dangerous mountain to climb.
Unlike Mount Everest, K2 has no defined climbing route, and its weather conditions are notoriously unpredictable, making it a particularly challenging climb.
The summit has claimed the lives of many climbers, and the mountain is notorious for its technical difficulty.
Key Facts:
- First summit: 1954 by Achille Compagnoni and Lino Lacedelli.
- Challenging: The steep slopes, harsh weather, and frequent avalanches make this a deadly climb.
3. Kangchenjunga – 8,586 meters (28,169 feet)
Located on the border between Nepal and India, Kangchenjunga is the third highest mountain in the world.
It is revered as sacred by the people of Nepal and Sikkim (India). The mountain’s imposing features, such as its sharp ridgelines and steep cliffs, make it an incredibly difficult ascent.
Climbers often face extreme cold, avalanches, and the risk of becoming lost in the dense snowfields.
Key Facts:
- First summit: 1955 by Joe Brown and George Band.
- Sacred: Considered a holy mountain by the local inhabitants.
4. Lhotse – 8,516 meters (27,940 feet)
Lhotse, located in the Himalayas near Mount Everest, is the fourth tallest mountain in the world. What sets Lhotse apart from the others is its proximity to Everest, as climbers typically tackle both mountains in a single expedition.
The summit of Lhotse presents numerous challenges, including technical climbs and dangerous icefalls, as well as the ever-present threat of altitude sickness.
The famous Lhotse Face is a steep, icy wall that climbers must ascend to reach the summit.
Key Facts:
- First summit: 1956 by Ernst Reiss and Fritz Luchsinger.
- Dangerous terrain: The Lhotse Face and its unpredictable weather make the climb extremely risky.
5. Makalu – 8,485 meters (27,838 feet)
Makalu is the fifth tallest mountain in the world and is located in the Mahalangur range of the Nepal Himalayas. This peak is known for its pyramid-shaped summit, making it one of the most striking mountains on Earth.
The climb to the top is highly technical, with steep ice and rock walls. The difficulty of the ascent, along with the mountain’s remote location, has resulted in fewer successful summits compared to other eight-thousanders.
Key Facts:
- First summit: 1955 by Lionel Terray and Jean Couzy.
- Technical ascent: Steep ice and rock faces demand expert mountaineering skills.
6. Cho Oyu – 8,188 meters (26,864 feet)
Cho Oyu, located on the Nepal-Tibet border, is considered one of the easiest of the eight-thousanders to climb, though it still presents significant challenges.
With its gentle slopes and less technical ascent, Cho Oyu has become a popular mountain for climbers looking to summit an 8,000-meter peak.
Despite being considered more accessible, the mountain is not without risks, including avalanches, altitude sickness, and unpredictable weather.
Key Facts:
- First summit: 1954 by Herbert Tichy, Pasang Dawa Lama, and Sen Tenzing.
- Less technical: Although easier than others, it still requires proper acclimatization and preparation.
7. Dhaulagiri – 8,167 meters (26,795 feet)
Dhaulagiri, located in Nepal, is the seventh highest mountain in the world. Its name means “White Mountain” in Sanskrit, and its snow-covered slopes are among the most beautiful in the Himalayas.
The climb is extremely difficult, with steep rock and ice climbing, and climbers must navigate treacherous ridgelines and unpredictable weather conditions.
Due to the challenges posed by its extreme terrain, Dhaulagiri remains one of the least climbed peaks in the world.
Key Facts:
- First summit: 1960 by Kurt Diemberger, Peter Diener, and others.
- Challenging terrain: Climbers face rock, ice, and snow, requiring advanced mountaineering skills.
8. Manaslu – 8,163 meters (26,781 feet)
Manaslu, often referred to as the “Mountain of the Spirit,” is the eighth tallest mountain on Earth and is located in Nepal.
This mountain is popular among climbers who are looking to attempt an 8,000-meter peak that is less crowded than Everest.
The ascent of Manaslu presents many technical challenges, including avalanches, crevasses, and unpredictable weather. The climb is difficult but still less dangerous than some of the other eight-thousanders.
Key Facts:
- First summit: 1956 by Toshio Imanishi and Gyalzen Norbu.
- Moderate risk: Less crowded but still requires careful preparation due to avalanches and technical difficulties.
9. Nanga Parbat – 8,126 meters (26,660 feet)
Nanga Parbat, located in Pakistan, is often referred to as the “Killer Mountain” due to its high fatality rate among climbers.
The mountain has a reputation for extreme difficulty, especially during its ascent through the Rupal Face, which is one of the largest mountain faces in the world.
Nanga Parbat’s treacherous slopes, unpredictable weather, and difficult terrain make it a perilous climb.
Key Facts:
- First summit: 1953 by Hermann Buhl.
- Extremely dangerous: Known for its high fatality rate and challenging weather conditions.
10. Annapurna I – 8,091 meters (26,545 feet)
Annapurna I, located in Nepal, was once considered the most dangerous mountain to climb due to its high fatality rate.
While the climb has become somewhat more accessible in recent years, it remains a dangerous endeavor.
Annapurna’s steep faces, unstable weather, and avalanches pose significant risks to climbers, which has earned it a reputation as one of the most deadly mountains in the world.
Key Facts:
- First summit: 1950 by Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal.
- High fatality rate: Among the most deadly eight-thousanders, particularly due to avalanches.
11. Gasherbrum I (Hidden Peak) – 8,080 meters (26,509 feet)
Gasherbrum I, also known as Hidden Peak, is located in the Karakoram range of Pakistan. It is often overshadowed by K2 but is still a formidable peak.
Climbers face steep ridges, glacial crevasses, and harsh weather conditions, making the climb both physically demanding and mentally taxing.
Despite its challenging ascent, Gasherbrum I is one of the more accessible peaks in the Karakoram range.
Key Facts:
- First summit: 1958 by Pete Schoening and Andy Kauffman.
- Technical difficulty: Steep slopes and glacial crevasses make it a challenging climb.
12. Broad Peak – 8,051 meters (26,414 feet)
Broad Peak, located on the Pakistan-China border, is the 12th tallest mountain on Earth. It is considered one of the easier of the eight-thousanders to climb, but it still presents many challenges.
The climb involves navigating long snow slopes and ice-covered ridgelines, and the threat of altitude sickness is ever-present.
Broad Peak’s vast, undulating summit ridge gives it its name and offers climbers stunning views of the surrounding Karakoram range.
Key Facts:
- First summit: 1957 by Hermann Buhl and others.
- Long ridge: The mountain’s summit ridge is vast, making navigation difficult.
13. Gasherbrum II – 8,035 meters (26,362 feet)
Gasherbrum II, located in the Karakoram range between Pakistan and China, is often considered one of the most accessible of the eight-thousanders.
Although the climb still presents significant challenges, including steep ice faces and treacherous weather conditions, it is less difficult than other peaks in the region.
Many climbers use Gasherbrum II as a stepping stone before attempting more difficult mountains like K2.
Key Facts:
- First summit: 1956 by Fritz Moravec, Sepp Jöchler, and Hans Willenpart.
- Easier climb: Compared to its neighbors, it is considered a more approachable summit.
14. Shishapangma – 8,027 meters (26,335 feet)
Shishapangma, located in Tibet, is the 14th highest mountain in the world and is the only eight-thousander that is entirely located within China. The climb is relatively straightforward, but climbers still face extreme conditions.
Shishapangma remains one of the least climbed of the 8,000-meter peaks due to its remote location and the difficulties of navigating the region’s political and logistical challenges.
Key Facts:
- First summit: 1964 by Chinese climbers.
- Remote location: The mountain’s isolation and political restrictions make it less popular for climbers.
Alicia Richards