Top most highest peaks in the world

Top Ten Highest Peaks in the World

The world is full of majestic mountains that challenge and inspire climbers, adventurers, and nature lovers. Among them, there are ten peaks that stand out as the highest on Earth, measured by their elevation above sea level. These are the summits of the Himalayas and the Karakoram ranges in Asia, where the collision of tectonic plates creates the most spectacular and extreme landscapes on the planet. In this article, we will introduce each of these ten highest peaks, their location, history, and features.

1. Mount Everest (8,848 m)

Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world and the ultimate goal for many mountaineers. It is located on the border between Nepal and China, in the Mahalangur Himal subrange of the Himalayas. The name Everest was given by the British Surveyor General of India in 1865, after his predecessor Sir George Everest, who had mapped the peak in 1841. However, the local names are Sagarmatha in Nepali and Chomolungma in Tibetan, both meaning “goddess of the sky”.

The first recorded attempt to climb Everest was made by a British expedition in 1921, but they only reached 7,000 m. The first successful ascent was achieved by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay on May 29, 1953, using the southeast ridge route. Since then, more than 4,000 people have reached the summit, but at a high cost: over 300 have died on the mountain, mostly due to avalanches, falls, altitude sickness, or exposure. Everest is also known for its iconic landmarks, such as the Khumbu Icefall, the South Col, the Hillary Step, and the summit pyramid.

2. K2 (8,611 m)

K2 is the second highest mountain in the world and arguably the most difficult and dangerous to climb. It is located on the border between Pakistan and China, in the Baltoro Karakoram subrange of the Karakoram range. The name K2 was given by the British surveyor Thomas Montgomerie in 1856, as it was the second peak of the Karakoram he numbered from south to north. However, the local name is Chhogori in Balti, meaning “the king of mountains”.

The first recorded attempt to climb K2 was made by an Italian expedition in 1909, but they only reached 6,250 m. The first successful ascent was achieved by an Italian team led by Ardito Desio on July 31, 1954, using the Abruzzi Spur route. Since then, only about 300 people have reached the summit, but at a very high cost: over 80 have died on the mountain, mostly due to avalanches, falls, rockfall, or bad weather. K2 is also known for its steep and technical routes, such as the North Ridge, the South Face, and
the Magic Line.

3. Kangchenjunga (8,586 m)

Kangchenjunga is the third highest mountain in
the world and one of the most beautiful and remote. It is located on
the border between Nepal and India,
in
the Kangchenjunga Himal subrange of
the Himalayas.
The name Kangchenjunga means “the five treasures of snow” in Tibetan,
referring to its five main peaks.
However,
the local names are Kangchendzönga in Sikkimese and Kanchenjunga
in Nepali.

The first recorded attempt to climb Kangchenjunga was made by a British expedition
in 1905,
but they only reached 6,525 m.
The first successful ascent was achieved by a British team led by Charles Evans
on May 25,
1955,
using
the southwest face route.
Since then,
about 200 people have reached
the summit,
but at a high cost:
over 40 have died on
the mountain,
mostly due to avalanches,
falls,
or exposure.
Kangchenjunga is also known for its complex and varied terrain,
such as
the Yalung Glacier,
the Zemu Gap,
and
the Three Pinnacles.

4. Lhotse (8,516 m)

Lhotse is
the fourth highest mountain in
the world and
the closest neighbor of Everest.
It is located on
the border between Nepal and China,
in
the Mahalangur Himal subrange of
the Himalayas.
The name Lhotse means “the south peak” in Tibetan,
as it is
the south summit of
the Everest massif.
However,
the local name is Lho Tse in Nepali.

The first recorded attempt to climb Lhotse was made by a Swiss expedition
in 1955,
but they only reached 8,100 m.
The first successful ascent was achieved by a Swiss team led by Fritz Luchsinger and Ernst Reiss
on May 18,
1956,
using
the west face route.
Since then,
about 500 people have reached
the summit,
but at a high cost:
over 20 have died on
the mountain,
mostly due to avalanches,
falls,
or bad weather.
Lhotse is also known for its challenging and exposed routes,
such as
the south face,
the couloir,
and
the traverse.

5. Makalu (8,485 m)

Makalu is
the fifth highest mountain in
the world and
one of the most isolated and impressive.
It is located on
the border between Nepal and China,
in
the Makalu-Barun subrange of
the Himalayas.
The name Makalu means “the great black” in Sanskrit,
referring to its dark and steep appearance.
However,
the local name is Makalungma in Tibetan.

The first recorded attempt to climb Makalu was made by a French expedition
in 1954,
but they only reached 7,200 m.
The first successful ascent was achieved by a French team led by Jean Couzy and Lionel Terray
on May 15,
1955,
using
the northwest ridge route.
Since then,
about 300 people have reached
the summit,
but at a high cost:
over 30 have died on
the mountain,
mostly due to avalanches,
falls,
or bad weather.
Makalu is also known for its spectacular and diverse scenery,
such as
the Barun Valley,
the Makalu-La pass,
and
the Kangshung face.

6. Cho Oyu (8,188 m)

Cho Oyu is the sixth highest mountain in the world and one of the most accessible and popular. It is located on the border between Nepal and China, in the Mahalangur Himal subrange of the Himalayas. The name Cho Oyu means “the turquoise goddess” in Tibetan, referring to its color in certain light conditions. However, the local name is Qowowuyag in Chinese.

The first recorded attempt to climb Cho Oyu was made by a British expedition in 1952, but they only reached 6,650 m. The first successful ascent was achieved by an Austrian team led by Herbert Tichy and Joseph Jöchler on October 19, 1954, using the northwest ridge route. Since then, more than 3,000 people have reached the summit, but at a high cost: over 40 have died on the mountain, mostly due to avalanches, falls, or bad weather. Cho Oyu is also known for its relatively easy and straightforward routes, such as the normal route, the south face, and the west ridge.

7. Dhaulagiri (8,167 m)

Dhaulagiri is the seventh highest mountain in the world and one of the most prominent and distinctive. It is located in Nepal, in the Dhaulagiri Himal subrange of the Himalayas. The name Dhaulagiri means “the white mountain” in Sanskrit, referring to its snow-covered peak. However, the local name is Dhawalagiri in Nepali.

The first recorded attempt to climb Dhaulagiri was made by a British expedition in 1950, but they only reached 7,600 m. The first successful ascent was achieved by a Swiss-Austrian team led by Max Eiselin and Kurt Diemberger on May 13, 1960, using the northeast ridge route. Since then, about 400 people have reached the summit, but at a high cost: over 60 have died on the mountain, mostly due to avalanches, falls, or bad weather. Dhaulagiri is also known for its dramatic and varied features, such as the Dhaulagiri Icefall, the Hidden Valley, and the French Pass.

8. Manaslu (8,163 m)

Manaslu is the eighth highest mountain in the world and one of the most remote and secluded. It is located in Nepal, in the Mansiri Himal subrange of the Himalayas. The name Manaslu means “the mountain of spirit” in Sanskrit, referring to its sacred status among the local people. However, the local name is Kutang in Tibetan.

The first recorded attempt to climb Manaslu was made by a Japanese expedition in 1952, but they only reached 7,750 m. The first successful ascent was achieved by a Japanese team led by Toshio Imanishi and Gyalzen Norbu in May 1956.

9. Nanga Parbat (8,126 m)
   Nanga Parbat is the ninth highest mountain in the world and the westernmost 8,000-meter peak. It is located in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan and is part of the Himalayas. Nanga Parbat means “naked mountain” in Urdu and is also known as the “killer mountain” due to its notorious difficulty and high death toll. Nanga Parbat has three main faces: the Rupal Face, the Diamir Face, and the Rakhiot Face, each offering different challenges and routes.
10. Annapurna I (8,091 m)
    Annapurna I is the tenth highest mountain in the world and the first 8,000-meter peak to be climbed. It is located in the Himalayas of Nepal and is part of the Annapurna massif, which contains six other peaks over 7,200 meters. Annapurna I is considered one of the most dangerous mountains to climb, with a fatality rate of about 32%. The name Annapurna means “goddess of the harvests” in Sanskrit and refers to a Hindu deity.