The highest mountain in the world - what it is and where it is located. Geography lesson: what is the highest mountain in the world? The average mountain in the world

The power of nature frightens and delights at the same time. Evidence of her strength is found in the deep crevices and highest peaks of the planet. Everest is called the top of the world, and it really is. However, not everyone knows what the highest mountain in the world is. Yes, there are giants that exceed the size of the famous Chomolungma. But what they are and where they are - read on.

The largest and highest mountain on the planet is the shield volcano Mauna Kea. It is located on an island in the Hawaiian archipelago. Its size is shocking. If you put this natural colossus next to Everest, the latter will seem like a small hill.

For comparison: the height of Mauna Kea from the base to the top is 10,203 m, and Everest is 3550 m. Do you feel the difference?! So why is the Himalayan peak given the palm?

The thing is that Mauna Kea originates underwater, where most of the volcano is hidden. The peak of the mountain above sea level is at an altitude of 4205 m, while Chomolungma rises to 8848 m.

The Hawaiian giant is about a million years old. Active “youth” helped the volcano grow to such dimensions. From the moment of its birth, Mauna Kea erupted regularly for 500 thousand years, then activity began to decline. The volcano is now considered extinct. According to rough estimates, the last eruption occurred 4-6 thousand years ago.

Such an amount of volcanic rock concentrated at one point exerts enormous pressure on the earth's crust. Its total volume is about 3200 km3. It's hard to imagine how much it weighs, but this mass is enough to push the Pacific Plate six kilometers.

"Mauna Kea" translates to 'White Mountain'. The indigenous people could not call it anything else, because this is the only place on the Hawaiian Islands where snow falls in winter. Local tribes consider the mountain sacred, and only leaders have the right to climb it. Unfortunately, and perhaps fortunately, this does not stop the Europeans.

On the one hand, in the lower part of the volcano, for the sake of the development of the sugar industry, wild forests were practically destroyed; on the other hand, the top of Mauna Kea is an excellent place for space exploration. Since 1964, 13 observatories have been built here. The question of whether it was worth doing this, given the holiness of the mountain, still causes heated debate.

The highest mountains in the world: list

The dream of every climber is to conquer the main peaks of the world. There are seven in total on the list, one for each continent and region of the Earth. Let's talk briefly about each of them:

1. His Majesty is Everest.

Has several other names. In Tibet, the mountain is called Qomolungma (Divine Mother) or Jomo Gang Kar (Holy Mother, White as Snow). The Nepalese call the highest peak Sagarmatha.

This is one of the most violent places on the planet. Not everyone will be able to reach at least the base camp, which is located at an altitude of about 5,000 m. Let alone the summit.

The air temperature on the mountain in the warm season does not rise above zero degrees, and in winter it varies from -36 during the day to -60 degrees at night. Add to this the violent winds, the speed of which sometimes reaches 200 km/h, and you will understand that the slightest problem here can turn into a disaster.

In the off season, few people will challenge grief, because it is akin to suicide. Since its first ascent in 1953, Everest has claimed the lives of more than 250 people, whose bodies are still there. To pick them up, you need to equip an expedition, and this is very expensive. The fees for the lift alone reach up to 25 thousand dollars. No matter how cynical it may sound, many corpses serve as landmarks for climbers.

1. The second highest height in the world is Aconcagua.

Located in Argentina and part of the Andes - the longest mountain system in the world, stretching for 11,000 km. Translated from the Quechua language, “Aconcagua” means “Stone Guardian”. Looking at the mountain, you understand that it was not given this name in vain.

Massive and majestic, Aconcagua truly resembles a stone giant. The height of the mountain above sea level reaches 6961 m. Technically, it is not considered too difficult to conquer. The record for ascent and descent belongs to Karl Egloff: his time is 11 hours 52 minutes. Even children came up here. The youngest climber was only nine years old.

The weather is relatively mild. The average temperature at the top is 20 degrees below zero, much colder at night. There is low humidity here, but strong winds will not allow a person to forget where he is.

1. Presidential Mount McKinley.

Located in Alaska, 210 km north of Anchorage. It occupies the third position in height above sea level - 6190 m. In fact, it is a huge granite block that came out of the ground as a result of tectonic activity. This happened about 60 million years ago.

The mountain was often renamed. It was originally called Denali, which means “great” in the Athabascan Indian language. When the Russians came to Alaska, the granite giant was simply called Big Mountain. In 1896, when Alaska ceded to the United States, the mountain was named after President William McKinley. However, in 2015, the first name was returned to it.

Based on climbing statistics, this peak is not for everyone. Only 58% of attempts are successful. Since 1913, the mountain has claimed the lives of more than 100 people. Weather conditions and lack of oxygen do not stop people, even if they have to walk alone in winter. This is what Loni Dupre did, who successfully climbed Denali and came down unharmed on January 11, 2015.

1. Kilimanjaro.

The highest point in Africa - 5892 m. It is located in Tanzania and is a potentially active volcano. Presumably the last eruption took place 200 thousand years ago, but the lava did not go anywhere. It is located under the crater at a depth of 400 m.

Kilimanjaro has three peaks that are separate volcanoes:

• Shira - 3962 m;
• Mawenzi - 5149 m;
• Kobo - 5892 m.

A distinctive feature of the mountain is the ice cap, which has not left the top for 11 thousand years, since the last ice age. However, over the last hundred years, due to deforestation and decreased rainfall, the glacier has shrunk by 80%.

One of the easiest peaks to climb. The first documented assault took place in 1889. It was accomplished by a group of climbers led by Hans Meyer. Trained climbers can climb to the top and descend back in 10 hours. For beginners, due to the need for acclimatization, this requires 5 days.

1. The highest mountain in Europe is Elbrus.

It belongs to the same type of mountain as Kilimanjaro - a stratovolcano. The last eruption occurred around 50 AD. e. It has a saddle shape with two peaks: eastern - 5621 m; western - 5642 m.

The mountain is shrouded in many glaciers with a total area of ​​134.5 km2. Melt water flowing down the slopes of Elbrus feeds several large rivers: Kuban, Baksan and Malka. The weather here changes from bad to good every 5-7 days. In summer it can be hot - 25–35 degrees, in winter at an altitude of 3,000 m the temperature drops to –12–20 degrees.

From a mountaineering point of view, Elbrus is not particularly difficult to climb, but there are several extreme routes. The peak was even stormed on a motorcycle in 1963 and a car in 1997.

1. Vinson Peak is the highest point on the sixth continent.

The mountain is part of the massif of the same name, which is located 1200 km from the South Pole and extends 21 km in length and 13 km in width. The highest point is at 4897 m above sea level.

American pilots discovered Vinson Peak in 1957, and 9 years later its peak was conquered by climber Nicholas Clinch. Despite the aggressive conditions of Antarctica, summer is relatively comfortable here. In the tents of the assault camp, the temperature is in the range of 0–10 degrees Celsius. During ascent, the thermometer often drops below thirty-five degrees.

1. Pyramid of Carstens, or Puncak Jaya.

Located on the island of New Guinea. Its peak is considered the highest point in Oceania and Australia - 4884 m, and according to some sources - 5030 meters. Jaya Peak was discovered by European explorer Jan Carstens in 1623.

Arriving in Holland, he spoke about the glacier he saw, for which he was ridiculed. Like, where does the glacier come from in the tropics?! However, they laughed at him in vain. What he saw was one of the highest mountains in the world.

Despite such an early discovery, the first ascent occurred only 339 years later. A group of climbers led by Heinrich Harrer stormed the mountain in 1962.

The highest mountain in Kazakhstan

On the border with Kyrgyzstan and China, on the Tien Shan ridge, the majestic and cold Khan Tengri rises. This is the highest point in Kazakhstan - 7010 m above sea level. The name of the mountain is Turkic and is translated as ‘Lord of the Heavens’.

Externally, Khan Tengri is a natural pyramid with regular edges. The top of the mountain is covered with a layer of ice 15 meters thick. In pagan times, people believed that the supreme God lived there and ruled the whole world from there.

The first mentions of the mountain are found in the writings of ancient explorers and adventurers. As for modern study, it began in the middle of the 19th century, when the geographer P. Semenov made a detailed description of the mountain.

The first successful assault on Khan Tengri took place on September 11, 1931. The climbers from the Ukrainian expedition became heroes. It was led by Mikhail Pogrebetsky, Boris Tyurin and Franz Sauber. The athletes spent a long time and meticulously thinking through and working out the route of the ascent. As a result, it was decided to go along the southern and southwestern side of the mountain.

Khan Tengri is famous not only for its beauty, but also for its regular accidents. Every season the mountain takes several people. 2004 was especially dark. Then a Polish climber died during the ascent, and a month later an avalanche at an altitude of 5,000 m trapped a group of 50 people. While the rescue operation was underway, 11 climbers from Russia, Ukraine and the Czech Republic died.

The highest mountains in the world annually attract hundreds of daredevils who risk their lives for the indescribable feeling of unity with nature. They can be understood, because those who once climbed to the top want to repeat it again and again. Vysotsky also wrote: “The whole world is in the palm of your hand - you are happy and silent and only slightly envy those others whose peak is still ahead.”

Ever since Sir Edmund Hillary reached the summit of Mount Everest in 1953, thousands of climbers have been eager to emulate his feat. Thanks to Everest's impressive title of being the world's tallest mountain, so many people have climbed it that every year this Himalayan beauty gradually turns into a literal garbage dump.

Everest is the highest mountain in the world (∼ 8,848 m)

When we talk about what is the highest mountain in the world, we usually think about the height above sea level. And if we take this parameter, then the height of the mountain (8849 meters above sea level) is beyond competition. Everest extends higher into the atmosphere than any other peak in the world.

However, the farthest point from the center of the Earth, and therefore the highest in terms of distance, is Chimborazo (6384 meters above sea level). This is a stratovolcano in Ecuador that is part of the Andes mountain range.

The earth is not flat, it bulges out at the equator and flattens out near the poles. This means that mountains near the equator are technically higher than those in other areas of the planet. And it so happens that Chimborazo is closer to the convex center of the Earth than Everest. It turns out that it is closer to the stars than the highest point of Mount Everest.

The hardest mountain for climbers

According to one report, Everest extends 6,382 meters from the center of the Earth. At the same time, Chimborazo extends over a distance of 6384 meters. Although the height difference between the two mountains is only 2 km, it is enough to give the title of “highest mountain” to the Ecuadorian stratovolcano.

So why does Mount Everest continue to receive all the laurels while Chimborazo remains relatively unnoticed? It all comes down to the difficulty of the climb.

If you are a climber and want to challenge yourself by conquering Everest, the journey to base camp will take 10 days. It will take another six weeks to acclimatize, followed by nine days to reach the summit. On the other hand, acclimatization on Chimborazo takes about two weeks, and the journey to the top takes about two days. Simply put, after Everest, climbing Chimborazo will seem like a walk in the park.

Above and below sea level

Mount Everest is the highest point above sea level, but if we are talking about sheer height from base to summit, then the honor of being called the highest mountain goes to the “White Mountain” (Mauna Kea) on the island of Hawaii. Its height above sea level is 4205 meters, but the mountain goes 5,998 meters down to the bottom. More than half of the mountain is submerged in water.

The total height of Mauna Kea is 10,203 meters. This is 1345 meters higher than Everest.

Mauna Kea is actually an extinct volcano on the big island of Hawaii. It was created about a million years ago when the Pacific Ocean tectonic plate moved over a plume of liquid magma deep within the Earth. Mauna Kea last erupted about 4,600 years ago.

The top of the mountain is an astronomer's paradise: It has low humidity, clear skies, and a great distance from any light pollution. That is, from the top of the volcano, perhaps the best view of celestial objects opens. There are currently 13 telescopes on the peak of Mauna Kea.

It is important to note again that Everest is the highest of the highest mountains when measured from sea level. If you use this parameter, then Chimborazo cannot even qualify for the title of “highest peak in the Andes.” This title belongs to Mount Aconcagua, which rises 6961 meters above sea level.

The highest mountains on each continent

1. In Asia - Mount Everest (8,849 meters).
2. In South America - Mount Aconcagua (6,961 meters).
3. In North America - Mount McKinley (6,190 meters).
4. In Africa - Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895 meters).
5. In Europe - Mount Elbrus (5,642 meters)
6. In Antarctica there is the Vinson Massif (4,897 meters).

In Australia - Oceania - Mount Puncak Jaya (4,884 meters) in Oceania and Mount Kosciuszko - the highest point on the Australian continent (2,228 meters).

Top 10 highest mountains in the world

The problem with measurement is that it is often unclear where the dividing line lies between a mountain with several peaks and a single mountain. For this reason, it is better to use a measurement called “topographic elevation” (the height of a mountain peak above the bottom of the valley closest to the mountain). Taking into account first of all this criterion, and secondly the height above sea level, we have compiled a rating of the highest points on Earth.

Topographic elevation - 4,741 m.

It rises 5,642 m above sea level.

Mount Elbrus is an extinct volcano located in the western part of the Caucasus Range, in Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachay-Cherkessia, near the Russian-Georgian border. This is the highest peak in the Caucasus.

Excess - 4,884 m.

Height - 4,884 m.

This mountain, located on the Australian Plate on the island of New Guinea, was originally named after its discoverer, the Dutchman Jan Carstens. In 1965, it changed its name in honor of the Indonesian President Sukarno, and in 1969 it was renamed for the third time, to Jaya (Indonesian for Victory) and stopped there for now.

Excess - 4,892 m.

The height of the peak is 4,892 m.

Record holders of Antarctica and part of the Elsworth Mountains, which rise above the Ronne Ice Shelf.

Elevation - 4,922 m

The height according to GPS is 5,636 m, according to INEGI - 5,611 m.

Stratovolcano, the highest mountain in Mexico and the third highest in North America. Orizaba last erupted in 1687, after which it “fell asleep” and has not woken up to this day.

Topographic elevation - 5,250 m

Altitude above sea level - 5,959 m.

The highest mountain in Canada and the second in North America, after McKinley. Due to active tectonic uplift, Logan is still growing in height. Until 1992, the exact height of the mountain was unknown and was assumed to range from 5,959 to 6,050 meters. In May 1992, the GSC expedition climbed Logan and established the current altitude of 5,959 meters using GPS

Topographic elevation - 5,585 m.

Above sea level - 5,776 m

Highest point in Colombia. The Colombian peak of Simon Bolivar is almost equal in height to it. Together they are the country's two closest peaks to the stars.

Topographic elevation - 5,885 m.

Above sea level - 5,895 m.

Kilimanjaro, and its three volcanic cones (Kibo, Mawenzi and Shira) is an inactive volcanic mountain in Kilimanjaro National Park, Tanzania. This is the highest mountain in Africa. There is no documented evidence of Kilimanjaro's eruption, but local legends say that the volcano was active 150-200 thousand years ago.

Topographic elevation - 6,144 m

Altitude above sea level - 6,190 m

The double-headed Mount McKinley (aka Denali), located in Alaska, is the highest mountain peak in the United States and North America. At the beginning of the 19th century, it was called Big Mountain and was the highest point of the Russian Empire.

Topographic elevation - 6,962 m.

Above sea level - 6,962 m.

The highest mountain in North and South America. It is located in the Andes mountain range, in the Argentine province of Mendoza. In 2013, the youngest climber, nine-year-old American Tyler Armstrong, climbed the mountain. And last year, Aconcagua was conquered by the youngest climber, twelve-year-old Romanian Dor Jeta Popescu.

1. Mount Everest (Qomolungma)

Topographic elevation - 8,848 m.

Altitude above sea level - 8,848 m.

The leader of the mountain charts was named after the English colonel, Sir George Everest, who was the chief surveyor of India from 1830 to 1843. Mount Everest is also known by the Tibetan name Qomolungma (Mother Goddess of Vital Energy) and the Nepalese name Sagarmatha (Forehead of Heaven).

Where is the tallest mountain in the world?

Qomolungma is located in the Mahalangur Himal mountain range in the Himalayas. Part of it lies on the border of Nepal and China, part on the territory of the Tibet Autonomous Region.

Many human triumphs and tragedies have been associated with Everest. George Mallory (Great Britain) was the first climber to attempt Everest. In 1924, he died near the summit and his remains were found only in 1999, but the body of his teammate Andrew Irwin was not found.

Mount Everest has been the inspiration for many Guinness World Records, from the simple fact that it is the world's tallest peak to the world's tallest (by location) concert.

Despite the title of "the highest peak on Earth", Everest is not the tallest mountain on the planet. That is, Everest has no equal in height above sea level. But as for the height from the base to the top, the palm is held by Mauna Kea in Hawaii, USA. Its visible part is 4,205 meters, and the rest is under water. The total height of Mauna Kea reaches 10,203 meters.

Chomolungma, Everest (English: Mount Everest), Sagarmatha (Nepalese: सगरमाथा) (8848 m.)- the highest peak on Earth.

Everest, as the tallest mountain in the world, has attracted people for many years and centuries. Man has a passion for conquest, and for a long time brave climbers tried to climb to the top. As a result, Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary were able to go down in history as the first to reach the top. More than 60 years have passed since that moment, but they have written their names in history. Probably every person has heard about this mountain, but many interesting facts remain unnoticed.

Everest (Qomolungma) the highest mountain in the world

Recently it turned out that Everest continues to grow. This assumption was first put forward in 1994, when a growth of 4 millimeters was discovered. Later, in 1999, American researchers installed appropriate satellite devices, thanks to which the exact height of the mountain is recorded. And at the moment the real height of the peak is 8850 meters. The fact is that the Indian subcontinent was previously independent, but later collided with Asia, which is why the Himalayas were formed. As the plates continue to move, the mountain gradually grows.

In 2014, the Nepalese authorities introduced a number of amendments for climbers. For example, after each climb, everyone must bring back 8 kilograms of waste, otherwise they will lose $4,000. And the artists decided to hold an action and made works of art from the collected garbage. They used beer cans, broken tents and other items. The resulting masterpieces are designed to attract attention and not litter during the ascent.

• Everest Everest
• Everest Everest
• Everest Everest
• Everest Everest
• Everest Everest
• Everest Everest
• Everest Everest
• Everest Everest
• Everest Everest
• Everest Everest

Interestingly, not every resident of this region can climb Mauna Kea, as it is considered sacred. Only some leaders are allowed to do this. Numerous observatories are also installed at the top, as there are ideal conditions for observing the starry sky. Geological survey workers are also actively monitoring the life activity of the volcano crater. The last eruption occurred 500 thousand years ago and at the moment it is considered extinct. Residents of the Hawaiian Islands are also calm about the current situation and do not believe in its eruption in the near future.

For a long time, the forests growing on the slopes of Mauna Kea provided food for the indigenous population. When Europeans came to the islands, they slightly shook the ecological balance. As a result, some flora and fauna simply disappeared due to introduced plants and animals.

The height of Everest is 8848 m.

It has long been known which is the highest mountain in the world and many are trying to conquer it. They were able to climb Everest for the first time only in 1953. The mountain has two peaks: the southern one is 8760 meters high and the northern one is 8848 meters high (the highest on the planet). Interestingly, Chomolungma has a triangular shape, reminiscent of a pyramid. 210 climbers died trying to climb to the top of the mountain. Although reaching the summit today is not a big problem, people face a lack of oxygen, low temperatures and strong winds. There is practically no fire burning at the top. To try to climb to the top, you need to spend at least $8,000.

In any case, climbing any mountain is a very labor-intensive and complex process that requires maximum endurance, attention and skill. Only 30 climbers, three of whom were women, managed to climb the 10 highest mountains in the world. It is difficult to say why some are so eager to rise to the occasion. Maybe climbers prefer challenges and strive to prove to themselves that they are stronger than others, because Everest is the highest mountain in the world.

Article rating

5 General5 TOP5 Interesting5 Popular5 Design

Everyone knows that the highest mountain is Everest. Can you name the second tallest? Or at least three more from the TOP 10 list? How many eight-thousanders in the world do you know? Answers under the cut...

No. 10. Annapurna I (Himalayas) - 8091 meters

Annapurna I is the highest peak of the Annapurna mountain range. The height of the mountain is 8091 meters. It ranks tenth among all the peaks of the world. This peak is also considered the most dangerous - the mortality rate of climbers for all years of climbing is 32%, but in the period from 1990 to the present, the mortality rate has decreased to 17%.

The name Annapurna is translated from Sanskrit as “Goddess of Fertility.”

The peak was first conquered in 1950 by French climbers Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal. Initially they wanted to conquer Dhaulagiri, but found it impregnable and went to Annapurna.

No. 9. Nanga Parbat (Himalayas) - 8125 meters.

Nanga Parbat is one of the most dangerous mountains to climb among the eight-thousander mountains. The height of the Nanga Parbat peak is 8125 meters.

Among the Europeans, the peak was first noticed in the 19th century by Adolf Schlagintveit during his trip to Asia and made the first sketches.

In 1895, the first attempt to conquer the peak was made by British climber Albert Frederick Mummery. But he died along with his guides.

Then several more attempts were made to conquer it in 1932, 1934, 1937, 1939, 1950. But the first successful conquest occurred in 1953, when Hermann Buhl, a member of the German-Austrian expedition led by K. Herligkoffer, climbed Nanga Parbat.
Nanga Parbat has a climber mortality rate of 21%.

No. 8. Manaslu (Himalayas) - 8156 meters.

Manaslu (Kutang) is a mountain that is part of the Mansiri Himal range in Nepal.
In 1950, Tilman made the first reconnaissance of the mountain and noted that it was possible to climb it from the northeast side. And only 34 years later, after several unsuccessful attempts to conquer the peak, on January 12, 1984, Polish climbers Ryszard Gajewski and Maciej Berbeka climbed the main peak of Manaslu for the first time, conquering it.
The mortality rate among climbers on Manaslu is 16%.

No. 7. Dhaulagiri I (Himalayas) - 8167 meters.

Dhaulagiri I is the highest point of the Dhaulagiri mountain range in the Himalayas. The height of the peak is 8167 meters.

From 1808 to 1832, Dhaulagiri I was considered the highest peak in the world. Climbers paid attention to it only in the 50s of the 20th century, and only the eighth expedition was able to conquer the peak. A team of the best climbers in Europe, led by Max Eiselin, conquered the peak on May 13, 1960.

In Sanskrit, dhavala or dala means “white” and giri means “mountain”.

No. 6. Cho Oyu (Himalayas) - 8201 meters.

Cho Oyu is the sixth highest mountain peak in the world. The height of Cho Oyu is 8201 m.

The first successful ascent was made in 1954 by an Austrian expedition, which included Herbert Tichy, Joseph Jächler and Pazang Dawa Lama. For the first time, an attempt was made to conquer such a peak without oxygen masks and cylinders, and it was a success. With its success, the expedition opened a new page in the history of mountaineering.

Today there are 15 different routes to the top of Cho Oyu.

No. 5. Makalu (Himalayas) - 8485 meters.

Makalu is the fifth highest peak in the world. Located in the central Himalayas, on the border of Nepal with China (Tibet Autonomous Region).

The first ascent attempts began in the mid-50s of the 20th century. This can be explained by the fact that most expeditions wanted to conquer Qomolungma and Lhotse, while Makalu and other lesser-known neighboring peaks remained in the shadows.

The first successful expedition occurred in 1955. French climbers led by Lionel Terray and Jean Cauzy conquered the peak on May 15, 1955.

Makalu is one of the most difficult peaks to climb. Less than 30% of expeditions are successful.

To date, there are 17 different routes to the top of Makalu.

No. 4. Lhotse (Himalayas) - 8516 meters.

Lhotse is the fourth highest peak in the world, at 8516 meters. Located on the territory of the Tibet Autonomous Region.

The first successful ascent was made on May 18, 1956 by a Swiss expedition consisting of Ernst Reiss and Fritz Luchsinger.

Of all attempts to climb Lhotse, only 25% were successful.

No. 3. Kanchenjunga (Himalayas) - 8586 meters.

Until 1852, Kanchenjunga was considered the highest peak in the world, but after calculations based on data from the 1849 expedition, it was proven that the highest mountain is Everest.

All peaks in the world tend to have a decreasing mortality rate over time, but Kangchenjunga is an exception. In recent years, the mortality rate when climbing to the top has reached 23% and is only growing. In Nepal, there is a legend that Kanchenjunga is a woman mountain that kills all women who try to climb to its peak.

No. 2. Chogori (Karakorum) - 8614 meters.

Chogori is the second highest peak in the world. Chogori was first discovered by a European expedition in 1856 and was designated Mount K2, that is, the second peak of the Karakoram.
The first attempt to climb was made in 1902 by Oscar Eckenstein and Aleister Crowley, but ended in failure.

The summit was conquered in 1954 by an Italian expedition led by Ardito Desio.

To date, 10 different routes have been laid to the top of K2.
Climbing Chogori is technically much more difficult than climbing Everest. In terms of danger, the mountain ranks second among eight-thousanders after Annapurna, the mortality rate is 24%. None of the attempts to climb Chogori in winter were successful.

No. 1. Chomolungma (Himalayas) - 8848 meters.

Chomolungma (Everest) is the highest peak on Earth.

Translated from Tibetan, “Chomolungma” means “Divine (jomo) Mother (ma) of vital energy (lung).” The mountain is named after the Bon goddess Sherab Jamma.

The English name "Everest" was given in honor of Sir George Everest, the head of the British India Survey in 1830-1843. This name was proposed in 1856 by George Everest's successor Andrew Waugh after the publication of the results of his collaborator Radhanath Sikdar, who in 1852 first measured the height of "Peak XV" and showed that it was the highest in the region and, probably, in the whole world.

Before the first successful ascent to the summit, which took place in 1953, about 50 expeditions were carried out to the Himalayas and Karakoram (to Chomolungma, Chogori, Kanchenjunga, Nanga Parbat and other peaks).

On May 29, 1953, Everest was conquered by New Zealand climber Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay.

In subsequent years, the highest peak of the world was conquered by climbers from different countries - the USSR, China, USA, India, Japan, and other countries.

Over the entire period of time, more than 260 people died while attempting to climb Everest. Nevertheless, more than 400 people try to conquer Chomolungma every year.

The answer to the question about eight-thousanders is that there are 14 of them in the world, 10 of them are in the Himalayas, and the remaining 4 are in the Karakoram.

Reading time: 8 min.

How many highest mountains do you know? When and by whom were they conquered? And how safe are they to try to climb on them? In this article we cover the topic of the highest points of the world, which amaze with their spectacular views and equally spectacular numbers. Let's get to know them better

8091 meters
The Annapurna mountain range is famous for its highest point - Annapurna I. The height of the latter is 8091 m. This is one of the most dangerous peaks for climbers, the mortality rate when attempting to conquer is 33%, but since the nineties this figure has dropped to 17%. Annapurna, translated from ancient Indian, means “Goddess of Fertility.” The first to set foot on the summit were the French, the famous climbers Lou Chanel and Maurice Herzog, they did it in 1950. At first their goal was Dhaulagiri, but after inspection they decided to change the mountain, since that mountain seemed impregnable to them.

8125 meters
The first person to conquer Nanga Parbat was Hermann Buhl, who, as part of K. Herligkoffer’s expedition in 1953, set foot on its peak. Before this, many attempts were made to climb this mountain, they date back to 1932, 1934, 1937, 1939. During the war, attempts were suspended, and only the attempt of the Austro-German Herligkoffer expedition was successful. In general, the first data about the mountain appeared in the 19th century, when Adolf Schlagintveit traveled to Asian countries and made detailed drawings of the massif. Nanga Parbat is popular among climbers and has a high mortality rate of 21%.

8156 meters
The Mansiri Himal mountain range, which is located in Nepal, is famous for its Mount Manaslu. This mountain has another name - Kutang. After reconnaissance of Mount Manaslu, researcher Tilman came to the conclusion that it can only be climbed from the northeast. And only in 1984, namely in January of that year, the Poles Maciej Berbeka and Ryszard Gajewski conquered the peak of Kutanga. The mortality threshold on this mountain is not too high - only 16%.

8167 meters
The highest mountain in the Himalayan range is Dhaulagiri. For almost 24 years, since 1808, this mountain was considered the highest mountain in the world. The global community of climbers began to conquer it back in the 50s of the 20th century, and only on the eighth attempt did they manage to win. A combined team of European climbers, led by Max Eiselin, set foot on the summit on May 13, 1960, conquering this height. Translated from the ancient Indian Dhaulagiri - “White Mountain”.

8201 meters
Cho Oyu was conquered in 1954 by an Austrian expedition that included Joseph Jächler, Pazang Dawa Lama and Herbert Tichy. This was the first official ascent without the use of oxygen cylinders and oxygen masks. This resounding success opened new horizons for world mountaineering. Today, to conquer this peak, you can choose any of 15 routes and simply enjoy the climb.

8485 meters
Makalu is one of the most difficult and dangerous mountains for climbers. Only a third of all expeditions end successfully. The first ascents date back to the mid-fifties of the twentieth century. Perhaps this mountain would have been conquered earlier, but a huge number of climbers set themselves the goal of conquering Lhotse and Everest, and did not pay attention to this peak. The first to conquer Makalu was a French expedition led by Jean Cauzy and Lionel Terray in 1955. To conquer Makalu now, you can choose climbing paths of varying difficulty, there are more than 17 of them in total.

8516 meters
Only a quarter of attempts to climb Lhotse are successful. Geographically, this mountain is located on the territory of the Tibet Autonomous Region, which makes it a cult object for many researchers and lovers of mysticism. The first to set foot on this mountain was a Swiss expedition, which included two famous climbers: Fritz Luchsinger and Ernst Reiss. It happened on May 18, 1956. Until now, the Eastern Face of Lhotse, as well as the traverses of all its peaks, remain unclimbed.

8586 meters

Kanchenjunga takes bronze in our top. This mountain was considered the highest mountain in the world until 1852. Interestingly, for three whole years the height calculations (which were carried out in 1849) were not published. But now, by right, Everest is considered the highest mountain, and Kanchenjunga is included in the list of famous eight-thousander mountains. It was first conquered on May 25, 1955, by two climbing friends: Joe Brown and George Bend. Over time, the mortality threshold on all mountains decreases, but only on Kanchenjunga does this figure increase from year to year. Now it is 23% and is constantly growing. There is a Nepalese legend according to which Kanchenjunga is a female mountain that kills all the fairer sex who try to climb it.

8614 meters
Karakoram is the second highest mountain in the world, after Everest. It was discovered back in 1856 by an expedition of European climbers. They gave it the name K2, which means the second peak of the Karakorum. The first to try to conquer it were Aleister Crowley and Oscar Eckenstein, but their attempt in 1902 was not successful. The first to actually set foot on the top of Chogori were the Italians, led by Ardito Desio. Now you can climb the Karakoram by ten different routes. In terms of mortality threshold, this is the second most dangerous mountain, after Annapurna, the mortality threshold is 24%. Until now, no one has yet been able to conquer Chogori in winter.

8848 meters
So, the first place that everyone has always heard of is Chomolungma. Sherab Zhamm is the Bonn goddess, after whom the mountain was named, Chomolungma - “Divine Life Energy”, translated from Tibetan. The name Everest was given in honor of George Everest, who led the British Indian Survey. This name was proposed by Andrew Waugh, a follower of George, in 1856. The first person to conquer Everest was a climber from New Zealand, Hillary Edmund. It happened on May 29, 1953. More than 280 deaths have already been recorded while attempting to climb Everest. But this does not stop daredevils; every year more than 400 people try to climb the highest peak in the world.