If you’re looking for a challenge, here is a list of the top 10 tallest mountains of the world. While they are beautiful, they are quite dangerous so please execute extreme caution when attempting to climb any of these mountains. And please don’t attempt any of these alone.
10. Annapurna Massif
Elevation: 26,545 feet Prominence: 9,790 feet
While the Annapurna Massif is only tenth on this list, it is considered one of the most dangerous mountains to climb. In 1950, Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal were the climbers to successfully climb to the summit of Annapurna. Unfortunately, this feat came at a high price. They both lost all of their toes to frostbite and Herzog lost all of his fingers as well. For every 100 that has attempted to climb Annapurna, 32 have lost their lives. It is located in north-central Nepal.
9. Nanga Parbat
Elevation: 26,660 feet Prominence: 15,118 feet
Even though it is only the ninth tallest mountain of the world, it is considered one of the three most dangerous mountains to climb. It is the second highest mountain in Pakistan. The Nanga Parbat ridge contains four major peaks, but only the main one is 8000 meters (approximately 26,246 feet) above sea level. Once in 2013, a group of 10 innocent climbers and 1 guide were killed in a Taliban attack. If attempting to climb this mountain, it is suggested to attempt from the months of June to August for the moderate weather conditions.
8. Manaslu
Elevation: 26,781 feet Prominence: 10,144 feet
Manaslu translates to “Mountain of the Spirit” in Sanskrit. Unlike other regions, this region is home to many endangered animals such as snow leopards, red pandas, lynxes, musk deer, and eurasian griffons. It is located in the Manaslu Conservation Area that protects its fauna by forbidding hunting.
7. Dhaulagiri
Elevation: 26,795 feet Prominence: 10,014 feet
Dhaulagiri is located in Nepal near the Tibet Border. Its name translates to “White Beautiful Mountain” in Sanskrit. This mountain has a great panoramic view and beautiful sights. It is home to the deepest gorge of the world, The Gandaki Gorge. But be careful, it has a south wall that rises vertically approximately 15,000 feet. It is suggested to climb this mountain during the months of April, May, September, and October.
6. Cho Oyu
Elevation: 26,864 feet Prominence: 7,677 feet
Cho Oyu translates to “Turquoise Goddess” in Tibetan and is 13 miles west of Mount Everest. Even though the Cho Oyu is considered the easiest mountain above 8000 meters to climb, it has still claimed 200 lives since 1954.
5. Makalu
Elevation: 27,766 feet Prominence: 7,828 feet
Makalu is located 12 miles southeast of Mount Everest, on the border of Nepal and Tibet. It is an isolate peak that is the shape of a perfect pyramid with four sharp ridges.
4. Lhotse
Elevation: 27,940 feet Prominence: 2,001 feet
Lhotse is located at the border of Nepal and Tibet. Lhotse means “South Peak” in Tibetan. It is immediately south of Mount Everest. The Lhotse has three peaks: Lhotse Main, Lhotse Middle, and Lhotse Shar.
3. Kangchenjunga
Elevation: 28,169 feet Prominence: 12,867 feet
Kangchenjunga is the tallest mountain in India, and translates to “Five Treasures of Snow” for its five high peaks. It is located at the border of Nepal and Assam. It lies 75 miles east-southeast of Mount Everest.
2. K2
Elevation: 28,251 feet Prominence: 13,179 feet
Known as the “Savage Mountain” due to its extreme difficulty of ascent, the K2 is located at the border of China and Pakistan. It was given the name K2 because it was the second peak to be measured in the Karakoram Range. Although it is the second tallest mountain, it is considered the most dangerous mountain to climb. In fact, out of all of the mountains on this top ten tallest mountains list, it is the only mountain that no one has been able to successfully climb during the winter. While Mount Everest is crawling with amateurs, only serious climbers attempt K2.
1. Mount Everest
Elevation: 29,029 feet Prominence: 29,029 feet
You’ve heard the name over and over. Located at the border of Nepal and Tibet, there is no mountain more famous than Mount Everest. Climbing Mount Everest is a dangerous undertaking and requires meticulous planning. As of May 2019, a total of 305 people have died since 1922.