14 Tallest Mountain Peaks on Earth, Some With Ultra-Dangerous Hikes
When prompted to think about the highest structures we know, many of us picture tall buildings and constructions. Maybe the Empire State Building or the Burj Khalifa in Dubai come to mind. In comparison, these mountains make them look like nothing more than an anthill.
Reaching New Heights
When calculating the tallest mountains on Earth, World Data looked at a few different metrics, including height above sea level and prominence. Prominence refers to the relative height to the actual base of the mountain.
Cream of the Crop
World Data says, in general, the highest point of a mountain is considered its peak. While there are lower secondary peaks on a mountain, for the purposes of this ranking, the focus remains on the highest point.
1: Mount Everest
Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world, standing at 29,030 feet (ft) above sea level. Some trekkers dare to make the risky hike. Although it may seem safer due to its popularity each climbing season, summiting Everest is perilous, and over 300 people have lost their lives doing so.
2: Godwin Austin (K2)
Godwin Austin (K2) is located in Pakistan and China’s Karakoram mountain range. At 28,253 ft above mean sea level and 13,180 ft in prominence, it’s the second-highest mountain in the world. The climb to Godwin Austin’s (K2) summit is even more dangerous and life-threatening than Everest despite being about 800 feet shorter. The reason? Constant 45-degree-angle climbs.
3: Kangchenjunga
Standing ten times higher than the tallest structure in the world from sea level, Himalayan Kangchenjunga is gargantuan. Kangchenjunga is more remote and rugged than its predecessors in the top two, making it less than ideal for climbing, even for the most experienced adventurers.
4: Lhotse
With its name meaning “South Peak” in Tibetan, Lhotse is near the highest peak, Mount Everest. It stands at 27,941 ft above sea level with 2,001 ft prominence. It’s the third peak of what climbers call the “triple crown,” wherein adventurers summit Everest, Lhotse, and Nuptse in one expedition.
5: Makalu
Nestled in the same region in the Himalayas as Everest and Lhotse, Makalu is an awe-inspiring mountain. It stands at 27,839 ft above sea level with 7,802 ft prominence. Its steep pitches and icy slopes make it a challenging but impressive climb.
6: Cho Oyu
With a name that lives up to its breathtaking beauty, Cho Oyu, meaning “Turquoise Goddess,” is another towering gem in the Himalayas. Standing at 26,8565 ft above sea level, it’s comparatively less technical to climb than the others, making it a popular spot for mountaineers.
7: Dhaulagiri I
Dhaulagiri I is a snowy mountain in Nepal that’s 26,796 ft tall with 11,014 ft prominence in the Himalayas. Its gorgeous scenery and unbeatable views make its challenging climb well worth it for those willing to take on the trek.
8: Manaslu
Soaring 26,783 ft high, Manaslu is another one of the world’s highest peaks. It offers stunning landscape views, and the region around the mountain is full of vibrant Nepalese culture and local traditions to immerse yourself in.
9: Nanga Parbat
While a few of the highest mountains in the top ten have less dangerous climbs than Everest and Kangchenjunga, Nanga Parbat is not one of them. It’s often called “Killer Mountain” for its lethal reputation, even for the most experienced climbers, with a fatality rate of around 21 per 100 trekkers. It stands at 26,661 ft tall in the Himalayas.
10: Annapurna I
Following closely behind Nanga Parbat is another lethal mountain of grand proportions. According to Guinness World Records, Annapurna I is the deadliest mountain in the world, with approximately one out of every three trekkers losing their lives. Standing at 26,547 ft above sea level and 9,791 ft in prominence, this mountain in Nepal is nothing short of a risky destination.
11: Gasherbrum I (K5)
Only the most courageous trekkers seek out the hidden summit of Gasherbrum I. As the eleventh highest mountain in the world, only around 350 successful ascents have been documented in total for the Pakistan-based marvel. Those who wish to reach the summit must climb 26,510 ft above sea level.
12: Broad Peak (K3)
Located in Pakistan, Broad Peak is one of the world’s tallest mountains. It stands at 26,415 ft above sea level and 5,581 ft prominence. While it’s certainly no walk in the park, Broad Peak is considered an “easier” climb than Everest and others.
13: Gasherbrum II (K4)
Similarly to Broad Peak, Gasherbrum II is ideal for climbers looking to get their feet wet with extreme mountaineering. Its peak stands at 26,363 ft above sea level in the Karakoram mountain range of Pakistan.
14: Shishapangma / Gosainthan
With a name meaning “the God of the Grasslands,” Shishapangma, also known as Gosainthan, towers over most of the world’s mountains. Located entirely in Tibet, this mountain stands at 26,337 feet tall.
Hiking Without ATM Fees
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How To Never Pay an ATM Fee Abroad
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