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 mountaineers as K-2, lies on the northern border of 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 highest mountain peak in the world 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 the Himalaya mountain system. 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 passed through the South Col along the route 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 all the highest peaks of all seven continents, and he had also 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, it’s better to try to conquer the peak in spring and autumn, 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 sincerely follow age-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 shocked the public with the news that Everest was no longer the highest point on the planet. 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 a mountain from the center of the earth, then the mountain ranges located along the equator 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: –
The Mauna Kea volcano protrudes 4.2 kilometers above the surface of the Pacific Ocean - 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.
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There are many high mountains in the world that climbers have managed to conquer. However highest mountain in the world remained unconquered for a long time.
The highest mountain in the world
The highest mountain in the world is Chomolungma (Everest). Its height is 8,848 m above sea level.
In this case, it is worth paying attention to the clarification “above sea level”, since if you measure the height of the mountain from the core, then the record will belong to the extinct Chimborazo, which is in.
Everyone knows that our planet has the shape of an ellipse. It follows from this that mountains located near the equator are higher than in other areas of the Earth.
Height from the center of the earth In this regard, Chimborazo is located closer to the convex center of the Earth than any other mountains, including Everest.
The most difficult mountain for climbers
Considering all the above facts, the question inevitably arises: why is Everest the most popular mountain in the world, while Ecuadorian Chimborazo (6384 m) remains in the shadows?
This is largely due to the difficulties in climbing Chomolungma.
Let's imagine that we want to conquer both of these peaks.
Climbing Chomolungma
In order to climb Everest, you will first have to reach the base camp.
This part of the journey will take you about 10 days. After this, it will take another month and a half for acclimatization alone!
View of Everest from an airplane Then you will have to climb directly to the top for about 9 more days. And this is the most difficult part of the path.
Climbing Chimborazo
Now let's imagine how long it will take to conquer Chimborazo.
When climbing, acclimatization will take you no more than 2 weeks, and the journey to the top will not exceed 2 days.
Chimborazo From all that has been said, we can conclude that after Everest, climbing the Ecuadorian peak will seem like an evening walk to you.
"Above" and "below" sea level
So, Everest is the highest point on the planet above sea level.
However, speaking of the tallest mountain in the world, and taking into account some other factors, it is appropriate to remember another mountain.
If you measure the absolute height from the base to the top, then the highest mountain will be Mauna Kea, located in the territory.
Mauna Kea It may be difficult for some to understand what we are talking about, so let's sort out this confusion one by one.
Unlike Everest, most of Mauna Kea lies below the surface of the water.
Thus, if we measure the height from the base (underwater) to the top, it will be 10203 m, which is 1355 m higher than Chomolungma.
Everest and Mauna Kea Mauna Kea is an extinct volcano that last erupted approximately 4,600 years ago. An interesting fact is that there are 13 telescopes on the top of this mountain.
This is due to the fact that there is a very low level of humidity and clear skies. Thanks to this, astronomers can monitor celestial objects while studying outer space.
The highest mountains on each continent
- Europe – (5,642 m)
- – Kilimanjaro (5,895 m)
- Asia – Everest (8,848 m)
- – Aconcagua (6,962 m)
- North America – McKinley (6,190 m)
- – Vinson massif (4,892 m)
- – Kosciuszko (2,228 m)
Now let's return again to the highest mountain in the world - Chomolungma, and learn not only its geographical features, but also how man conquered it.
Chomolungma is located on the Mahalangur Himal ridge in. It occupies such a large area that its base is located on the territory of the Tibet Autonomous Region.
Over the centuries, the mountain has attracted the attention of many people who wanted to be at its peak. As a result, hundreds of climbers who tried to conquer Chomolungma died.
Attempts to conquer Chomolungma
It is officially believed that Briton George Mallory was the first climber to attempt to climb the mountain. However, he and his partner failed to achieve their goal.
They died on one of the slopes of Chomolungma back in 1924. It is interesting that their bodies were discovered only in 1999. According to experts, they were only 200 m short of conquering the mountain peak.
After this expedition, many more daredevils tried to reach the peak of Everest, but they all either died or returned back, not daring to set foot on the most dangerous sections of the path.
As mentioned earlier, climbing Mount Qomolungma is accompanied by many different difficulties:
- High atmospheric rarefaction (lack of oxygen);
- Low temperature (below -50°C);
- Hurricane winds, as a result of which the human body feels frosts down to -120°C;
- Solar ;
- Frequent avalanches, steep slopes, falling into crevices.
First ascent of the highest mountain in the world
When did the first successful ascent of the highest mountain on earth take place?
And this happened a little more than half a century ago.
On May 29, 1953, New Zealander Edmund Hillary, together with Sherpa Tenzing Norgay, were able to conquer Everest, as a result of which they became the first people to reach its summit.
It is worth noting that before setting off on the expedition, they carefully prepared for it.
The climbers took oxygen equipment with them and chose the most convenient route. Having reached an altitude of 8500 m, they set up a tent for the night.
The climbers woke up in the morning to find their boots covered in ice.
It took them about 2 hours to defrost their shoes and make the final push to conquer Everest.
A few hours later they were already at the top, where they spent about 15 minutes. During this time, the climbers took several photographs and planted a flag.
Having descended to earth, they immediately became real heroes. The entire world press wrote about their feat, wanting to know all the details of the expedition.
In subsequent years, Qomolungma was conquered by climbers from different countries. The first woman to reach its peak was Japanese Junko Tabei (1976).
Despite the fact that today hundreds of people continue to die on Everest, this mountain still arouses the greatest interest among extreme sports enthusiasts.
It is curious that Chomolungma was conquered in a variety of ways. They climbed it without oxygen masks, descended from its peak on skis and snowboards, and also competed in the time spent on its ascent.
View of the northern wall of Qomolangma from the path leading to base camp An interesting fact is that the youngest person to visit the highest mountain in the world was a 13-year-old Indian girl, Purna Malavath, and the oldest person was 72-year-old American Bill Berg.
According to official data, more than 260 people died on the slopes of the mountain, and about 8,300 climbers have already conquered the peak of Chomolungma.
Who knows what other records will be set in the future, but it is safe to say that Everest will forever remain the most popular mountain in the world.
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What do you know about the highest peak in the world? That it's called Everest. Some will also remember the alternative name - Chomolungma. Can you tell me the height? At least approximately. Where is it located? Also no? Then once again we will talk about the highest mountains on Earth.
The undisputed leader in terms of height, this mountain, like a magnet, attracts professional climbers, beginners and people simply thirsty for extreme sports from all over the world. Climbing it is the cherished dream of everyone who has made at least one climb to any other peak. And today thousands of people every year make this dream come true.
Everest with routes and key points
Brief information. Chomolungma, also known as Everest, also known as Sagarmatha, is the highest peak in the world. Its peak reaches a height of 8848 meters. Belongs to the Himalaya mountain system, divided between China and Nepal. Most of the climbing takes place from the Nepal side. It takes about two hours for an ordinary person to walk 7 kilometers 200 meters. Here you need to climb up rocky slopes in cold, and even thin air. It’s still a test, but every year thousands of people decide to take it. Not all of them reach the top. Not everyone returns home. Many die in the process.
Despite this, organizing the climb to Everest has now become a profitable business. Nowadays, solo climbers are rare; most often people turn to special companies that assign guides, conductors, instructors, doctors to them, select equipment, purchase licenses for climbing, provisions, and medicines. In this case, the recovery may take up to two months. This time is needed for acclimatization, which is carried out at critical points. This pleasure is not cheap. On average, a tourist spends 65 thousand dollars for a climb. But he exchanges them for unforgettable impressions.
The second highest mountain peak, Chogori, is inferior to Everest, but not by much - 8611 meters. It belongs to the Karakoram mountain system and is located on the border of China and Pakistan. This is the northernmost eight-thousander and the most inhospitable. It is much more difficult to climb it than the almost lived-in Everest, surrounded by well-functioning service. Despite the fact that the mountain is the second highest, it is climbed much less often, and the risk is much higher. For example, no one has yet managed to conquer it in winter. The mortality rate among climbers is staggering: about 30%. True, it is calculated not from the total number of tourists, but in comparison with the number of people who reached the top.
The third highest mountain has a height of 8586 meters. It was divided between Nepal and India, and it belongs to the same Himalayas as Everest, but is located a little to the south. Kanchenjunga translated into Russian means “five treasures of the great snows,” and this is not just an artistic image: it is divided into five independent peaks, of which only one is below 8000 meters, and then only 100. This mountain is especially familiar to fans of Nicholas’s work Roerich, because she was one of his main sources of inspiration and was repeatedly depicted on his canvases.
Another eight-thousander, and again from the Himalayas. It is also divided into two states already familiar to us - Nepal and China. The name of this mountain is “South Peak”, which has some meaning. It is, indeed, located a little south of the famous Everest. It is connected to it by the famous South Col pass. The other side - the South Wall - is steep. By the way, she was conquered only once. In 1990, the Soviet Union assembled a powerful expedition of 17 climbers. Only two of them reached the top, the rest provided them with a safe ascent, but an unprecedented result could only be achieved through joint team efforts. The mountain is divided into three peaks with heights of 8516, 8414 and 8383 meters, respectively.
Again the border between China and Nepal, again the same mountain range. The Himalayas are the leaders in the number of high peaks and Makalu is another confirmation. The height of this mountain is 8485 meters. It is believed that of all the eight-thousanders, this is the heaviest. Only less than a third of all expeditions reach the top, and most have to turn off halfway. The “black giant” (this is how the name of the mountain is translated) is not particularly kind to climbers.
This is the sixth highest eight-thousander. You can guess the rest yourself: Nepal-China, Himalayas, height – 8201 meters. Accordingly, you can climb it from both one and the other side. But, if on the Nepal side you have to face a very difficult wall, which not everyone can overcome, then on the Tibet side there is a convenient pass that makes Cho-oyu one of the most convenient eight-thousanders for climbing.
Reading the name of this mountain the first time is already a task, and only a few manage to climb it. “White Mountain” is one of the most massive. It is divided into 11 peaks, however, only one was able to overcome the eight-thousandth mark - Dhaulagiri I. By the way, for some time it was Dhaulagiri that was considered the highest peak in the world. True, this was a long time ago, from 1808 to 1832.
This is already the eighth eight-thousander, but we still have the same thing: the Himalaya mountain range, but, for a change, it belongs entirely to Nepal. “Mountain of Spirits” is how its name is translated. This is a sacred place. Perhaps this is why climbing is considered quite dangerous, and the mortality rate reaches 18% even today. The mountain has three peaks, the highest of which rises to 8156 meters.
For a change, the mountain is located in Pakistan, although it belongs to the already well-known Himalayas. It is divided into 4 peaks, of which the highest is 8125 meters. “Naked Mountain”, “Mountain of the Gods” - it’s all about the ninth eight-thousander. It is considered one of the most difficult to climb due to the climatic conditions and bare sheer peaks. The situation is complicated by the unsettled situation in the country. So, in 2013, a real tragedy occurred when militants attacked a climbers’ camp. 10 people died, including three Kharkov residents. Not surprisingly, the mortality rate is 22%.
Our list ends with another eight-thousander, the most dangerous. The mortality rate is 41%. The name of the mountain translates as “Goddess of Fertility,” but apparently this goddess requires human sacrifice. However, the number of climbers willing to climb its 8091-meter peak is sufficient.
These are the ten highest mountains and the first of 14 eight-thousanders. Several people have already managed to conquer them all, and thousands more dream of it. Perhaps you are among them.
The topography of our planet is bizarre, deep depressions give way to high mountains. There are 14 peaks on Earth that have “overcome” the 8000 m mark. But the highest of the “eight thousand meters”, which at first glance are inaccessible, are especially attractive to climbers.
Conquering the highest peak on the planet is the dream of all climbers. What are the highest mountains in the world?
Fifth place – Makalu (8485 meters, Himalayas)
Opens the ranking of the five highest mountains on Earth Makalu. Located almost in the center of the Himalayas, on the border of China and Nepal, the peak is part of the Mahalangur-Hemal mountain range. Extremely steep slopes and year-round glaciation make the mountain incredibly difficult to climb; less than a third of all expeditions are successful. The first successful attempt to conquer the peak was recorded in 1955. 26 climbers died during the ascents.
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The mountain range consists of two peaks, its shape resembles a four-sided pyramid. The local population treats Makal with respect and some fear, respectfully calling her the “Black Giant.” The height of the peak of Makalu is 8485 meters.
Fourth place – Lhotse (8516 meters, Himalayas)
The closest “neighbor” of Everest is only 3 km away, Lhotse is located on the border of China and Nepal and is part of the Nepalese Sagarmatha National Park. Known for quite a long time, the mountain was conquered only in 1956. Of all the eight-thousanders, the summit has the smallest number of routes, and successful ascents account for only 25%.
The mountain has an unusual shape of a triangular pyramid; it has three peaks, each above 8000 meters. Translated from Tibetan, the name Lhotse sounds like “southern peak”. The height of this mountain is 8516 meters.
Third place - Kanchenjunga (Himalayas)
Kangchenjunga is the third highest mountain peak in the world, its height is 8586 meters. Until the middle of the last century, until Chogori and Everest were discovered, it was considered the highest in the world.. The first successful ascent of the mountain happened in 1954. 40 climbers died while conquering the peak. Moreover, contrary to the trend characteristic of other “eight-thousanders”, the mortality rate does not decrease over time, but rather increases. According to Nepalese legend, Kanchenjunga is a female mountain who, out of jealousy, kills women trying to conquer the peak.
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Roerich's painting “Kanchenjunga” Located on the border of India and Nepal, the peak is extremely picturesque; translated its name sounds like “5 treasures of the great snows.” The extraordinary beauty of Kanchenjunga captivated the Russian philosopher and educator Nicholas Roerich. On canvas he captured the unique natural charm of a mountain peak.
Second place Chogori (Himalayas)
Chogori is the northernmost of the “eight-thousand-meter” peaks and is part of the Karakoram mountain range, located in two countries - China and Pakistan. Its height is 8611 meters. Discovered in 1856, the mountain received the “technical” name K2 - the second peak of the Karakoram. They began to call her Chogori after a while. Climbing to the top has been attempted since the beginning of the last century, but it was only possible to conquer it in 1954. It cost 60 climbers their lives to reach the summit.
In addition to the official name, the peak has other, quite common ones - Dapsung, Godwin-Osten and Karakorum 2. The mountain peak is characterized by harsh weather conditions, climbing it is fraught with great difficulties. No one has yet managed to conquer Chogori in winter.
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