Can you imagine yourself standing on these twenty-five highest peaks in the world? Think about it. Let's estimate their height above sea level, starting with Mount Everest. In this case, the highest peak is in the Himalayas.
Unfortunately, this method has complications. It consists in determining what is considered the base of the mountain. Therefore, it is common to measure “relative height” (how much a mountain rises above the surrounding landscape).
So, although Kilimanjaro's summit is not as high above sea level as any peak in the Himalayas, the difference between its base and peak is much greater. With that in mind, here are the 25 tallest mountains in the world.
25. Pico Bolivar
Bolivar Peak is the most high mountain in Venezuela, its height is 4,978 meters. The peak is located in the state of Mérida, and its summit is permanently covered with grainy ice and has three small glaciers.
24. Volcano Tajumulco (Volcano Tajumulco)
Photo: list25.com Volcano Tajumulco is a large stratovolcano located in the department of San Marcos in western Guatemala. This is the highest mountain in Central America reaching a height of 4,220 meters. There are several historical evidences that Tajumulco erupted in the past, but none of them date back to the present time.
23. Mount Ras Dashen
Photo: list25.com Ras Dashen is the highest mountain in Ethiopia and the tenth highest mountain in Africa. Part of the Semien Mountains National Park, it reaches a height of 4,550 meters.
Photo: list25.com K2 is the second highest mountain on Earth after Everest and is located on the border of Pakistan and China. It is also called the "Wild Mountain" due to the death rate of those who decide to climb it. For every four people who reach the summit, one dies. Unlike Annapurna, the mountain with the highest death rate among those who reach its summit is never climbed in winter on K2.
21. Mount Rainier
Photo: list25.com Mount Rainier is a massive stratovolcano located 87 km southeast of Seattle in Washington State, United States. It is the highest mountain in the contiguous United States and the Volcanic Arc, with a summit elevation of 4,392 m.
20. Mount Kinabalu
Photo: list25.com Mount Kinabalu is located on Borneo island in Southeast Asia. It is located in the eastern Malaysian state of Sabah and is protected as National Park Kinabalu National Park, World Heritage Site.
19. Namjagbarwa
Photo: list25.com Namjagbarwa is a mountain in the Tibetan Himalayas. According to the traditional definition of the Himalayas as a mountain range extending from the Indus River to the Brahmaputra, this mountain is the eastern anchor of the entire mountain range, and the highest peak in its segment, as well as the easternmost peak of the Earth with an altitude of over 7,600 meters.
18. Bogda Peak
Photo: list25.com Bogda Peak or Bogda Feng is the highest mountain of the Bogda Shan range, located in the eastern Tianshan Mountains, China, with an altitude of 5,445 m.
17. Chimborazo
Photo: list25.com Chimborazo is a currently inactive stratovolcano located in the Western Cordillera of the Andes. It is believed that he last eruption occurred around 550 AD. With an altitude of 6,268 meters, Chimborazo is the highest mountain in Ecuador.
16. Jengish Chokusu
Photo: list25.com Zhenish Chokusu is the highest mountain in the Tien Shan mountain system with an altitude of 7,439 m. It is located on the border of Kyrgyzstan and southeast of Lake Issyk-Kul.
15. Mauna Kea
Photo: list25.com Mauna Kea is a volcano on the island of Hawaii. Reaching a height of 4,207 m above sea level, its summit is the highest point in the state of Hawaii.
14. Nanga Parbat
Photo: list25.com Nanga Parbat (literally Naked Mountain) is the ninth highest mountain in the world and the western anchor of the Himalayas. Located in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan, it features a tall peak that dominates the surrounding landscape and has several tragic stories associated with its ascent.
13. Klyuchevskaya Sopka
Photo: list25.com Klyuchevskaya Sopka is a stratovolcano that is the highest mountain on the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia and the highest active volcano Eurasia. Its steep, symmetrical cone rises about 100 kilometers from the Bering Sea.
12. Mount Damavand
Photo: flickr.com Mount Damavand is a potentially active volcano and the highest peak in Iran, holding a special place in Persian mythology and folklore. It is located in the middle ridge of Elbrus next to the high volcano throughout Asia.
11. Mont Blanc
Photo: flickr.com Mont Blanc (in French) or Monte Bianco (in Italian), " White Mountain"is the highest mountain in the Alps, Western Europe and the European Union and rises 4,810.45 m above sea level.
10. Mount Elbrus
Photo: flickr.com Mount Elbrus is a dormant volcano located in the Western Caucasus mountain range, in Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachay-Cherkessia, Russia, near the Georgian border. Its peak is the highest in the Caucasus.
9. Puncak Jaya (Puncak Jaya)
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org At 4,884 m, Puncak Jaya or Carstensz Pyramid is the highest peak of Mount Carstensz in the Sudirman Range in the western central highlands of Papua Province, Indonesia.
8. Vinson Massif
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org Vinson Massif is the highest mountain in Antarctica, located in the Sentinel Range of the Ellsworth Mountains, which rise above the Ronne Ice Shelf at the base of the Antarctic Peninsula.
7. Pico de Orizaba
Photo: flickr.com The stratovolcano Pico de Orizaba is the highest mountain in Mexico and the third highest in North America. It rises 5,636 meters above sea level in the eastern part of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, on the border between the states of Veracruz and Puebla.
6. Mount Logan
Photo: list25.com Mount Logan is the highest mountain in Canada and the second highest peak in North America after Mount McKinley.
5. Peak Cristóbal Colón
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org Named after Christopher Columbus, Cristobal Colon Peak is the highest mountain in Colombia, with an estimated altitude of 5,700 meters.
4. Mount Kilimanjaro
Photo: pixabay.com Kilimanjaro with its three volcanic cones, Kibo, Mawenzi and Shira, is a dormant volcano in national park Kilimanjaro National Park, Tanzania. It is the highest peak in Africa at 5,895 meters above sea level.
3. Mount McKinley
Photo: pixabay.com Mount McKinley, or Denali, in Alaska is the highest mountain peak in the United States and North America, with a summit height of 6,194 m above sea level.
2. Mount Aconcagua
Photo: pixabay.com Aconcagua is the highest mountain in the Americas at 6,960.8 m. It is located in the Andes mountain range in the province of Mendoza, Argentina, and is 112 km northwest of the capital, Mendoza.
1.Mount Everest
Photo: pixabay.com Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world, with a peak height of 8,848 meters above sea level. It is also the tallest mountain in the world from base to summit. The Tibetan name for Everest, Qomolangma, translates as "Third Goddess", and the mountain is located in the Mahalangur range of the Himalayas. The international border between China and Nepal runs exactly along the top of the mountain.
Among climbers, the highest mountains in the world are called the “Seven Summits”. This list includes:
- Everest - 8848 m.
- Aconcagua - 6959 m.
- McKinley - 6194 m.
- Kilimanjaro - 5895 m.
- Elbrus - 5642 m.
- Vinson - 4892 m.
- Puncak Jaya - 4884 m.
Major mountain peaks
You can often hear the question: which mountains are the highest? This is Everest. The mountain is considered the highest on the entire planet. Thousands of climbers strive to get here. Basically, if you climb along a proven route, no technical difficulties ever arise. But these beautiful mountains are not conquered by everyone. Climbers face different problems:
- strong winds;
- lack of oxygen;
- unpredictable weather;
- various diseases.
By the way, Lhotse - this mountain, exceeding 8000 m, ranks fourth among the highest peaks in the world. It is located closest to Everest. However, climbers are in no hurry to conquer its peak; there have been very few ascents.
The highest mountains in the world are mainly found in the Andes. Among them, Aconcagua is considered the highest. This mountain is famous for several glaciers, the most famous being the Polish Glacier. The Andes mountains are perhaps the most beautiful in the world.
The highest mountains are also in Alaska. A prominent representative was Mount McKinley, reaching 6194 m. Which mountains are the highest? We can consider that this mountain, having such a height, is one of the highest points on the entire Earth.
Features of highly elevated areas
The highest mountains in Africa are represented by Kilimanjaro. It is located in Tanzania and is of volcanic origin.
It contains several volcanic formations:
- Kiba;
- Mawenzi;
- Shira.
The age of the mountain is more than a million years. This is the most old mountain on the planet. Its formation is associated with a volcanic eruption and lava falling into a beautiful rift valley. Beautiful mountains have always interested climbers. Every year tens of thousands of people try to conquer this height.
In Europe and Russia, Elbrus is considered the highest mountain. This is a long-extinct volcano, but beneath it, molten magma rages at great depths.
The most beautiful hills are the Caucasus Mountains, among which Elbrus stands out. If you translate the word “Elbrus” into Russian, you get “high mountain”. Elbrus glaciers feed several rivers:
- Kuban;
- Malka;
- Baksan.
Antarctica is considered another beautiful place. It is here that the Visson massif is located, reaching an altitude of 4892 m.
You can meet Mount Puncak Jaya if you visit Australia. Two Austrian climbers were able to conquer this height for the first time. This happened in the early 60s of the last century. Today, to conquer the rock, you must obtain government permission. Only specialized travel agencies can obtain such permission.
Annapurna is a mountain in Tibet that is considered the most difficult to climb on Earth.. In the middle of the 20th century, French climbers managed to climb its peak. This ascent is considered the most outstanding in the world for the entire history of mountaineering.
No oxygen was used during the ascent. This can be called a feat, because at an altitude of more than 8000 m the air contains only 30% oxygen. A person can only be in such conditions for a short period of time. It took exactly two weeks for climbers to descend from this mountain. The mountain in Tibet is one of the most dangerous peaks in the world; more than 40% of climbers die while climbing.
The second highest peak (Chogori) is located in Karakoram. The peak is located at an altitude of more than 8611 m. It is the most difficult mountain to climb. Moving along the easiest route, climbers have to pass through difficult glaciers. On their way there are rocks with steep sections. You have to overcome frequent seracs, which are icy blocks that barely hold on and can suddenly collapse. Since it is very difficult to climb this mountain, it is considered the most dangerous on the planet. Almost 24% of people who dare to conquer it die during the ascent.
Kanchenjunga is also a very dangerous peak, which reaches 8586 m and is located in the Himalayas. This mountain also received another name in the world, namely “Five Treasures Peak”. Climbing Kanchenjunga is associated with the death of many climbers.
In recent years, the percentage of accidents has increased significantly and amounted to 22%. The main reasons were various difficulties (avalanches, atmospheric conditions and technical difficulties).
Other mountain peaks
The most famous highlands on Earth are the following:
- Nanga Parbat.
The height of the mountain reaches 8126 m. The rock is located in the north of the Himalayas and is considered their northern end.
To get to this height, you need to go through a narrow mountain climb. The southern part of this ridge, exceeding 4600 m, is considered the mountain slope with the largest dimensions on the planet. Since the difficulty of climbing the mountain has a very high coefficient, this mountain received the second name “Killer Mountain”.
In the west of Europe, right in the Alps, this high peak is located, reaching 4810 m. A mountain range stretching for 50 km is also named by this name.
A huge area is hidden under the ice. Almost 200 km² is covered with a thick ice crust. The name means "white mountain".
Near the top there are famous ski resorts:
- Chamonix - France;
- Courmayeur - Italy.
Mont Blanc was first conquered in 1786 by two French climbers Balmat and Paccard. Local residents call this massif the “cursed mountains” due to the high mortality rate.
Basically, for modern mountaineering, climbing this rock is not considered particularly difficult. However, almost every year accidents are recorded here. The main reasons are considered to be poor preparedness, poor organization, climatic conditions and avalanches.
This beautiful mountain on Earth located in the Alps. It shares Italy with Switzerland. Its peak reaches 4478 m. The mountain is unique in its shape, which looks like a horn starting to grow straight from the numerous valleys surrounding the massif. The highest mortality rate is recorded among climbers trying to conquer this mountain.
The highest mountains in the world have different names, but at the same time they can be called briefly - Seven Peaks is a term that appeared in 1985 at the suggestion of Richard Bass (the man who was the first to conquer all seven peaks) and united the seven highest peaks on each continent. This association is not equal to the ranking of the highest mountains in the world, most of which are located in Nepal. This list is made up of mountains, each of which is the highest on its continent.
The highest peak in North America is located in Alaska and is the center of Denali National Park. The summit of Mount McKinley is 6194 meters away from the ground. This mountain is the third in the world in terms of topographic position, surpassed only by Everest and Aconcagua. And based on the base-to-peak ratio, McKinley is the tallest mountain in the world. The mountain got its name in honor of the American president, and the Indian name - Denali - means “great”.
Part of the Andes and with a height of 6959 meters, Mount Aconcagua is considered the highest peak South America. The mountain is located in the Argentine province of Mendoza and is 15 km from the border with Chile. The name of the mountain comes from the Quechua words for “stone guardian.”
Europe – Mount Elbrus (Russia)
Elbrus is an inactive volcano with a height of 5642 meters, which is located in the Caucasus Mountains on the border of Russia and Georgia.
Elbrus has several other names, the most romantic of which, translated from Adyghe and Kabardino-Circassian, means “mountain that brings happiness.”
Asia – Mount Everest (Nepal/China)
The world's highest mountain, Everest, lies exactly on the border of Nepal and China. Everest is part of the Himalayas, the highest mountain range in the world. This is where the highest mountains in the world are located. The height of Everest is 8848 meters. Everest attracts all climbers of the world and this is understandable. Technically, Everest's routes are not very difficult, but they come with the added challenges of altitude sickness, extreme winds and nasty weather conditions. The name Everest is English - in honor of the head of the geodetic service who first told the European community about this peak. The mountain has the Tibetan name Chomolungma (divine mother of life) and the equivalent Nepalese name Sagarmatha (mother of the gods).
The highest mountain on the African continent is an extinct volcano, the highest point of which is 5895 meters away from sea level. Moreover, Kilimanjaro has three peaks, two of which are extinct, and the third may well wake up. Kilimanjaro erupted 360 thousand years ago, but volcanic activity at Kibo Peak (the highest of the three) was seen 200 years ago, indicating that the volcano is potentially active. In Swahili, the name Kilimanjaro means “sparkling mountain.”
The highest point of Oceania is also the highest mountain in the world, which is located on an island. Puncak Jaya is located in the west of the island of New Guinea. The height of Mount Puncak Jaya, also called simply Jaya or Carstensz Pyramid, is 4884 meters. The name of the mountain means "mountain of victory" in Indonesian.
Antarctica - Mount Vinson
The seventh of the highest mountains in the world received its name in honor of Carl Vinson, an eminent American politician. The Vinson Mountains are part of the Ellsworth Mountains and have a high point 4,892 meters above sea level.
Seven mountains, each unique in its origin and beauty, attract climbers from all over the world. Climbers who have conquered the Seven Peaks are united in an informal community.
Ecology
The highest peaks are at the peak of the highest mountains of the seven continents. Among climbers they are known as " Seven Peaks", which was first conquered by Richard Bass on April 30, 1985.
Here are a few interesting facts about the highest points in all parts of the world.
Highest mountain peaks
The other day the program Google Maps' Street View invited everyone to enjoy the view of the highest peaks in the world, offering interactive galleries of the highest mountains on Earth.
Maps include panoramic view on 4 out of 7 peaks: Everest in the Himalayas of Asia, Kilimanjaro in Africa, Elbrus in Europe and Aconcagua in South America.
You can make a virtual ascent of these peaks without exposing yourself to the dangers of height and natural difficulties that climbers face.
1. The highest peak in the world and Asia - Mount Everest (Qomolangma)
Height of Mount Everest
8848 meters
Geographic coordinates of Mount Everest:
27.9880 degrees north latitude and 86.9252 degrees east longitude (27° 59" 17" N, 86° 55" 31" E)
Where is Mount Everest?
Mount Everest or Chomolungma is highest mountain on earth, which is located in the area Mahalangur Himal in the Himalayas. The international border between China and Nepal runs along its top. The Everest massif includes the neighboring peaks Lhotse (8516 m), Nuptse (7861 m) and Changtse (7543 m).
The highest mountain in the world attracts many experienced climbers and amateurs from all over the world. Although technically there are no major problems in climbing the standard route, the biggest dangers on Everest are considered to be lack of oxygen, disease, weather and wind.
Other facts:
Mount Everest, also called Chomolungma translated from Tibetan as “Divine Mother of Snows” and from Nepali as “Mother of the Universe”. The mountain is considered sacred to local residents. The name Everest was given in honor of the British George Everest, who was the first to measure the height of the world's highest mountain peak.
Mount Everest annually rises by 3-6 mm and shifts to the northeast by 7 cm.
- First ascent of Everest committed by New Zealander Edmund Hilary(Edmund Hillary) and Nepalese Sherpa Tenzing Norgay(Tenzing Norgay) as part of the British expedition on May 29, 1953.
The largest expedition to climb Everest consisted of 410 people who were part of the 1975 Chinese team.
- Safest year On Everest it was 1993, when 129 people reached the summit and 8 died. The most tragic year was 1996, when 98 people reached the summit and 15 people died (8 of them died on May 11).
Nepalese Sherpa Appa is the man who has climbed Everest the most times. He set a record by climbing 21 times from 1990 to 2011.
2. The highest peak in South America is Mount Aconcagua
Height of Aconcagua
6,959 meters
Geographic coordinates of Aconcagua
32.6556 degrees south latitude and 70.0158 west longitude (32°39"12.35"S 70°00"39.9"W)
Where is Mount Aconcagua located?
Aconcagua is the highest mountain in the Americas, located in the Andes mountain range in the province Mendoza in Argentina. Also this highest peak in both the western and southern hemispheres.
The mountain is part Aconcagua National Park. It consists of a number of glaciers, the most famous of which is the Polish Glacier in the northeast - a frequent climbing route.
Other facts:
- Name "Aconcagua" probably means from Araucanian "from the other side of the Aconcagua River" or from Quechua "Stone Guardian".
From a mountaineering point of view, Aconcagua is easy mountain to climb, if you go along northern route, which does not require ropes, pitons and other equipment.
- The first to conquer Aconcagua British Edward Fitzgerald(Edward FitzGerald) in 1897.
The youngest climber to reach the top of Aconcagua was a 10-year-old Matthew Monitz(Matthew Moniz) December 16, 2008. The oldest is 87 years old Scott Lewis(Scott Lewis) in 2007.
3. The highest mountain in North America is Mount McKinley
McKinley Height
6194 meters
Geographic coordinates of McKinley
63.0694 degrees north latitude, 151.0027 degrees west longitude (63° 4" 10" N, 151° 0" 26" W)
Where is Mount McKinley
Mount McKinley is located in Alaska's Denali National Park and is the highest peak in the United States and North America, as well as third most prominent peak in the world after Mount Everest and Aconcagua.
Other facts:
Mount McKinley used to be the highest peak in Russia until Alaska was sold to the United States.
Local residents call it "Denali" (translated from the Athabasca language as "Great"), and the Russians who inhabited Alaska simply " Big mountain". Later it was renamed "McKinley" in honor of US President William McKinley.
- First to conquer McKinley American climbers led by Hudson Stack(Hudson Stuck) and Harry Carstens(Harry Karstens) June 7, 1913.
Best Climbing period: from May to July. Due to the far northern latitude, there is lower atmospheric pressure and less oxygen at the summit than other high mountains in the world.
4. The highest peak in Africa is Mount Kilimanjaro
Height of Kilimanjaro
5895 meters
Geographic coordinates of Kilimanjaro
Latitude 3.066 degrees south and longitude 37.3591 degrees east (3° 4" 0" S, 37° 21" 33" E)
Where is Kilimanjaro
Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa and is located in Kilimanjaro National Park in Tanzania. This volcano consists of three volcanic cones: Kiba, Mawenzi and Shira. Kilimanjaro is a huge stratovolcano that began to form a million years ago when lava erupted in the Rift Valley region.
Two peaks, Mawenzi and Shira, are extinct volcanoes, while the highest, Kibo, is sleeping volcano, which may erupt again. The last major eruption occurred 360,000 years ago, but activity was recorded only 200 years ago.
Other facts:
There are several versions explaining Origin of Kilimanjaro. One theory is that the name comes from the Swahili word "Kilima" ("mountain") and the Kichagga word "Njaro" ("whiteness"). According to another version, Kilimanjaro is a European origin of the phrase kichagga, which means "we did not climb it."
Since 1912, Kilimanjaro has lost more than 85 percent of its snow. According to scientists in 20 years all the snow on Kilimanjaro will melt.
- First ascent was committed by a German explorer Hans Meyer(Hans Meyer) and the Austrian climber Ludwig Purtscheller(Ludwig Purtscheller) on the third attempt on October 6, 1889
- About 40,000 people They try to conquer Mount Kilimanjaro every year.
The youngest climber to climb Kilimanjaro is a 7-year-old Keats Boyd(Keats Boyd), who climbed on January 21, 2008.
5. The highest peak in Europe (and Russia) is Mount Elbrus
Height of Mount Elbrus
5642 meters
Geographic coordinates of Mount Elbrus
43.3550 degrees north latitude, 42.4392 east longitude (43° 21" 11" N, 42° 26" 13" E)
Where is Mount Elbrus located?
Mount Elbrus is an extinct volcano located in the western Caucasus Mountains on the border of Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachay-Cherkessia in Russia. The summit of Elbrus is highest in Russia, Europe and western Asia. The western peak reaches 5642 m, and the eastern peak 5621 m.
Other facts:
- Name "Elbrus" comes from the Iranian word "Albors", which means "high mountain". It is also called Ming tau ("eternal mountain"), Yalbuz ("mane of snow") and Oshkhamakho ("mountain of happiness")
Elbrus is covered by a permanent ice sheet that supports 22 glaciers, which in turn feed the Baksan, Kuban and Malka rivers.
Elbrus located in a mobile tectonic region, and deep under the extinct volcano there is molten magma.
- First ascent the eastern peak of Elbrus was reached on July 10, 1829 Hilar Kachirov, who was part of the expedition of Russian General G.A. Emmanuel, and to the western (which is about 40 m higher) - in 1874 by an English expedition led by F. Crawford Grove(F. Crawford Grove).
From 1959 to 1976 it was built here cable car , which takes visitors to a height of 3750 meters.
Per year on Elbrus about 15-30 people die mainly due to poorly organized attempts to reach the summit
In 1997, an SUV Land Rover Defender climbed to the top of Elbrus, setting a Guinness world record.
6. The highest peak of Antarctica - Vinson Massif
Height of Vinson Massif
4892 meters
Geographic coordinates of the Vinson Massif
78.5254 degrees south latitude and 85.6171 degrees west longitude (78° 31" 31.74" S, 85° 37" 1.73" W)
Vinson Massif on the map
Vinson Massif is the highest mountain in Antarctica, which is located on the Sentinel Range in the Ellsworth Mountains. The massif is approximately 21 km long and 13 km wide and is located 1200 km from the South Pole.
Other facts
The highest peak is Vinson Peak, named after Carla Vinson- Member of the US Congress. The Vinson Massif was first discovered in 1958, and first ascent was committed in 1966.
In 2001, the first expedition reached the summit via the Eastern Route and measurements of the summit's height were made using GPS.
More 1400 people tried to conquer Vinson Peak.
7. The highest peak of Australia and Oceania is Mount Puncak Jaya
Height of Puncak Jaya
4884 meters
Geographic coordinates of Puncak Jaya
4.0833 degrees south latitude 137.183 degrees east longitude (4° 5" 0" S, 137° 11" 0" E)
Where is Puncak Jaya
Puncak Jaya or Carstens Pyramid is the highest peak of Mount Carstens in western Papua province in Indonesia.
This mountain is highest in Indonesia, on the island of New Guinea, in Oceania (on the Australian plate), highest mountain on the island, and the highest point between the Himalayas and the Andes.
Mount Kosciuszko is considered the highest peak on the Australian continent., whose height is 2228 meters.
Other facts:
When Indonesia began administering the province in 1963, the peak was renamed Sukarno Peak in honor of the Indonesian president. Later it was renamed Puncak Jaya. The word "Puncak" means "mountain or peak" in Indonesian, and "Jaya" means "victory".
The top of Puncak Jaya conquered for the first time in 1962, Austrian climbers led Heinrich Garrer(Heinrich Harrer) and three other members of the expedition.
Access to the summit requires government permission. The mountain was closed to tourists and climbers from 1995 to 2005. Since 2006, access has been possible through various travel agencies.
Puncak Jaya is considered one of the most difficult climbs. It has the highest technical rating, but does not have the greatest physical requirements.
Not everyone can travel around the world in search of the highest mountain in the world, but it is quite possible to take a virtual trip.
The highest mountains in the world
How far will a person have to travel to reach the highest point on our planet? Which mountains are recognized as the highest on Earth? Who conquered them first and what difficulties await them on the way to the top? You might also be interested in learning about the longest mountains in the world.Makalu
Height: 8485 m.A country: China/Nepal
Mountain system: Himalayas
Our rating opens with the Tibetan “Black Giant” Makalu - one of the five highest “eight-thousanders”. Europeans learned about this snowy beauty back in the middle of the 19th century, but the first expedition to its peak was launched only a hundred years later. This is because in those years the hearts of brave climbers were captivated by its closest neighbor, Everest, and the peak of Makalu remained “in the shadow” of this giant and was “defeated” only in 1955. The legendary ascent was made by the French under the leadership of Jean Franco.
Lhotse
Height: 8516 m.A country: China/Nepal
Mountain system: Himalayas
There are not so many points on the map of our planet that have surpassed the 8-kilometer mark in height. Mount Lhotse is one of them. Its last peak (Lhotse Middle) was conquered by climbers only in 2001. The first to set foot on this pointed rocky peak were members of a Russian expedition led by V. Kozlov and N. Cherny. The main peak was conquered in 1956 by a group of Swiss climbers while climbing neighboring Everest. But the eastern wall of Lhotse remains unconquered to this day.
Kanchenjunga
Height: 8568 m.A country: India/Nepal
Mountain system: Himalayas
The third highest point on our planet is located on the Kanchenjunga mountain range, which, in turn, belongs to the Himalaya system. Kanchenjunga has five peaks, hence the name, which translated from Tibetan means “Five Treasures of the Great Snows.” The highest is Main Kanchenjunga (8568 m). However, three more of them rightfully bear the proud title of eight-thousander: Yalong-Kang (8505), South (8491) and Central (8478).
The first attempt to conquer the wayward peak was made in 1905, but was unsuccessful. Having gone three quarters of the way, the group led by Aleister Crowley turned back. Only in 1955 the Englishmen Joe Brown and George Bend were able to reach the main peak.
There is a legend among the local population that Mount Kanchenjunga is a woman, and therefore hates in advance all girls who set foot on its slope. Only one woman has been to its summit, Englishwoman Ginette Harrison, who climbed in 1998.
Chogori
Height: 8611 m.A country: China/Pakistan
Mountain system: Karakoram
The second highest mountain in the world after Everest also belongs to the Himalaya mountain range. Chogori, known among climbers under the code name K-2, is located on northern border Pakistan and China. The letter “K” means “Karakorum”, and “2” is the serial number of the peak, which was assigned to it by the traveler Colonel Montgomery in 1856.
According to statistics, every fourth person who dares to conquer the top of Chogori is doomed to death. That’s why this peak has another name – killer mountain. The legendary Russian climber Pyotr Kuznetsov found his final refuge on its slopes.
The highest mountain is Everest
Height: 8848 m.A country: Nepal/PRC
Mountain system: Himalayas
The tallest Mountain peak in the world - this is Chomolungma, better known to us as Everest. It is located in perhaps the most “philosophical” part of the earth - in Tibet. This majestic snow-capped pyramid has amazed many generations of travelers, and even now, when the summit of Everest has been conquered several times, it inspires thousands of brave climbers to pack their things and set off on a long journey to the top full of deadly dangers.
Everest, one of the most beautiful places in the world, is part of mountain system Himalayas. The mountain is located between Nepal and China, but its peak is still located in China, in the Tibet Autonomous Region. According to various sources, the height of Everest ranges from 8844 to 8852 meters.
This data is constantly changing. In the spring of 2010, Chinese residents officially recorded the highest mountain at 8848 meters. And in 2016, scientists “proved” that the summit of Everest is actually 4 meters lower than the stated height. By the way, it has already been proven that Chomolungma grows annually by about five millimeters due to the movement of lithospheric plates, at the junction of which Everest is located.
The tallest mountain on the planet has quite a few names. The people of Tibet call Everest the “Mother of the gods of the earth” (“Divine (qomo) mother (ma) of life (lung)” - Chomolungma). But the Nepalese call it Sagarmatha. It means "Forehead of Heaven" or "Mother of the Gods." Well, the name “Everest” was given to the mountain by the British in honor of George Everest, who headed the geodetic survey of British India in 1830-1843. A few years after the scientist’s death, in 1856, his successor Andrew Waugh proposed giving the mountain the name Everest. By the way, it was he who presented data from a study of the heights of “Peak XV” and confirmed that this is probably the highest peak in the whole world.
History of climbing Everest
The first time a person climbed the highest mountain was on May 29, 1953. The pioneers of Everest were New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Sherpas (Sherpas are one of the peoples of Nepal) Tenzing Norgay. They went through South Col along the path that the Swiss had explored shortly before. The conquerors took oxygen equipment with them on their hike. The team itself consisted of 30 people. In May 1982, 11 climbers from the Soviet Union climbed this “roof of the world.” They climbed the southwestern slope, which had previously been considered impassable. The Ukrainians Mikhail Turkevich and Sergei Bershov especially distinguished themselves during the expedition - they were the first in history to climb Everest at night. 
Well, in 2001, an amazing feat was accomplished - a blind American named Eric Weihenmayer climbed the mountain. Before this ascent, he had already visited everything highest peaks all seven continents, he visited the highest mountains of Russia. In this way, the man wanted to prove that all the tasks that seem unattainable to people are actually achievable. Another Everest record was set on May 14, 2005. Test pilot Didier Delsalle of Eurocopter became the first in the world to successfully land a helicopter on a mountain peak.
Three years later, the oldest man climbed to the top of Chomolungma. He became 76-year-old Nepalese Bahadur Sherkhan.
Two years later, the youngest person appeared on the peak of Everest, 13-year-old American citizen Jordan Romero, who conquered the peak with his father. Previously, this record was assigned to a 15-year-old boy.
Another unusual ascent was made by a group of Nepalese. 20 people went on a risky expedition to collect waste that climbers leave on the slopes. They collected approximately 1,800 kilograms of garbage.
The dangers of Everest
Every year about 500 people try to reach the top of Everest. They are not afraid that at night the air temperature there can drop to -600 C, and the wind literally knocks them off their feet - its gust speed reaches 200 meters per second. However, according to some estimates, about 5 thousand climbers have already climbed the highest mountain. Each rise takes approximately 2 months. At this time, the period of acclimatization and installation of camps begins. By the way, during such a hike, travelers lose weight by an average of 10-15 kilograms. 
And one more difficulty, although insignificant compared to the previous ones. States on whose territory the approaches to the mountain are located request a large sum of money for the right to climb to the top of Everest. The authorities also establish the order of departures for mountaineering companies. You will have to pay the least amount for climbing Chomolungma from Tibet. Well, try to conquer the peak better in spring and in the fall, since the monsoons are not so active at this time.
Travel companies quote different prices for a trip to the mountain from Nepal: on average from 20 to 60 thousand dollars. On the Chinese side, this can be done cheaper: you will have to spend about 4.6 thousand dollars per person. It is worth adding that these funds are used to purchase an ascent attempt, but do not at all guarantee a successful result.
How much does it cost to conquer Everest?
Experts say that the success of the expedition depends on the weather and the team’s equipment. Before climbing Everest, you must undergo acclimatization. The most difficult thing, experienced people say, is the last three hundred meters of the way to the top. Climbers call them the “dead zone” or “the longest mile on Earth.” In this area you need to go through a very smooth and steep rocky slope, which is covered with snow. But the main obstacle is not the slippery surface, but the rarefied air, which literally overshadows the climber’s consciousness.
Pay for a dream
Thousands of climbers have tried to climb Everest. Some paid for this with their lives. From the time the peak was discovered until today, more than two hundred people have died during expeditions. According to some reports, this most often happened due to lack of oxygen. Sometimes people died in avalanches, on descents or ascents, due to heart failure or frostbite.The dead climbers who are found are buried by the people of Nepal. They follow sincerely centuries-old traditions and do everything so that the souls of steeplejacks find peace. According to beliefs, if a special solemn ceremony is not held to “save the souls of the dead,” then the dead climbers will not find peace and will wander on the “roof of the world.” And local climbers set off to the top of the highest mountain only with talismans and rituals, so as not to meet the spirits of Chomolungma.
The Dark Side of Everest
According to Nepalese Buddhist and professional guide Pemba Dorja, in May 2004, on his journey to the top of Everest, he took with him a medallion with the image of the Dalai Lama and an amulet from a Buddhist monastery. The man climbed to the peak in a record 8 hours and 10 minutes. And in the “dead zone”, which is located at an altitude of 8 kilometers above sea level, he met the shadows of people who extended their hands and asked for food. The Nepalese is sure that if he had not had the amulets, he would not have returned alive.
Alternative record holders
In 2016, scientists stunned the public with the message that Everest was no longer the most high point planets. The earth, according to them, has the shape of a geoid - a figure flattened at the poles and convex at the equator. This means that if you measure the height of mountains from the center of the earth, then those located along the equator mountain ranges will have an a priori advantage in height. Of course, such messages only caused the surveyors to laugh loudly. But - for the sake of interest - we present below data on the “new record holders”.Chimborazo
Height: 6384 m.A country: Ecuador
Mountain system: Andes
Having measured the height of Everest from the center of the Earth and compared the data obtained with the height of the extinct volcano Chimborazo, scientists found that the latter “bypasses” the Tibetan giant by 4 meters. However, the fact that the top of Chimborazo is the most distant point from the center of the Earth was discovered back in 1998.
Mauna Kea
Height: 4205 / 10203 m.A country: USA
Mountain system: –
Mauna Kea volcano juts above the surface Pacific Ocean by 4.2 kilometers – an impressive figure. But this, as they say, is only a small part of the iceberg. Most of its base is hidden under water, and the total height of the mountain is 10,203 meters. Therefore, if we take into account solely the distance from the foot to the top, and not the height of the mountain above sea level, then Mauna Kea can safely be considered the highest mountain in the world.
Subscribe to our channel in Yandex.Zen
