15 HARDEST Mountains to Climb
Category
🛠️
LifestyleTranscript
00:00Despite popular belief, Mount Everest is not the most difficult mountain to climb in the world.
00:05There are many lesser-known mountains that are much more dangerous.
00:08So join me, I'm counting down 15 of the hardest mountains to climb in the world.
00:12Starting with number 15, K2.
00:14K2, the second highest mountain in the world,
00:17stands as one of the most formidable and dangerous peaks for climbers.
00:21It's located in the Karakoram Range between the border of Pakistan and China.
00:25It rises to an imposing 28,251 feet above sea level.
00:30Now, it is known as the Savage Mountain.
00:33It's earned a reputation for difficulty.
00:35Despite being overshadowed by the height of Mount Everest,
00:38K2 is considered a far more challenging climb,
00:41attracting only the most skilled and daring mountaineers.
00:44Unlike Everest, which has been summited thousands of times,
00:47K2 has seen far fewer successful ascents.
00:51As of August 2023, only around 800 people have reached the summit.
00:55The mountain's steep faces and sharp ridges demand exceptional technical skill.
01:00The most commonly used route to the summit is the Abruzzi Spur on the Southeast Ridge,
01:05which was first successfully climbed by an Italian team in 1954.
01:09This route, while the most popular, is fraught with danger.
01:12Climbers have to navigate exposed sections like House's Chimney,
01:16a 100-foot vertical crack,
01:18and the Black Pyramid, a steep rocky outcrop.
01:21But the most infamous part of the climb is the Bottleneck Couloir,
01:25a narrow, steep slope just below the summit,
01:27overshadowed by unstable seracs,
01:30these massive ice formations that can collapse without warning.
01:33Extreme conditions here, combined with the thin atmosphere at those high altitudes,
01:37create an environment where survival is a constant battle.
01:41In the death zone above 26,000 feet,
01:44the oxygen levels are so low that human life can only be sustained for very brief periods.
01:49This is where many climbers have met their end,
01:52either due to exhaustion, falls, or being caught in avalanches.
02:00Kanchenjunga, standing at 28,169 feet,
02:04is the third-highest mountain in the world,
02:06and a formidable challenge for even the most experienced climbers.
02:10It's located in the heart of the Himalayas.
02:12This massive straddles the border between Nepal's Tabuljung district
02:15and India's Sikkim state.
02:17This mountain is revered in local folklore as the abode of mythical creatures like the Yeti,
02:23and it demands respect, not just for its height, but for its daunting and unpredictable nature.
02:28It's composed of five prominent peaks,
02:30which together form one of the most dramatic and imposing mountains in the world.
02:34These peaks, Maine, Central, South, West, and Khang Ba Tchen,
02:38create an expansive massif that's been the focus of mountaineers since the mid-19th century.
02:43Until 1852, Kanchenjunga was believed to be the highest mountain on Earth,
02:47a title it lost only after the Great Trigonometrical Survey of India
02:51confirmed that Mount Everest surpassed it.
02:53The terrain here is a complex mix of snow, ice, and rock,
02:57with dangerous glaciers and steep ridges that require exceptional technical climbing skills.
03:02The Yalung Face, a 10,000-foot-high wall of snow and ice,
03:05is a particularly challenging section of this climb.
03:08This face features the Great Shelf,
03:10a large sloping plateau covered by a precarious hanging glacier.
03:15And it's also situated along tectonic plates that are still highly active,
03:19leading to frequent earthquakes and landslides.
03:21The monsoon season from June to September is dangerous here due to heavy rainfall,
03:26which increases the risk of landslides and avalanches.
03:29Climbers typically aim to summit during the dry season from October to May,
03:33where the weather is more stable.
03:35However, even during this period, conditions are harsh,
03:38with temperatures plummeting well below the freezing point at night
03:41and can reach nearly 100 degrees while the sun is up.
03:4513. Manaslu
03:48Manaslu, at 26,781 feet, is the eighth-highest mountain in the world.
03:53It's located in the remote Mansiri Himal Range of the Nepalese Himalayas.
03:57This peak is also known as Kutong.
04:00It's often referred to as the Mountain of the Spirit.
04:03While despite that spiritual name, it presents a formidable challenge.
04:07Harsh weather conditions and technical climbing requirements,
04:10this mountain has earned a reputation as one of the more dangerous 8,000-meter peaks.
04:15It was first summited on May 9th, 1956 by members of a Japanese expedition,
04:19and since then, the mountain has been closely associated with Japanese climbers,
04:23much like how Everest is linked to the British.
04:26Despite its connection to Japan, Manaslu remains one of the less frequently climbed 8,000-meter peaks,
04:32with many expeditions choosing to attempt it in the spring
04:34when the weather conditions are relatively more stable.
04:37The mountain's location, about 40 miles east of Annapurna,
04:40places it in a region that's not easily accessible,
04:43adding to the logistical challenges here.
04:45Climbing it is no small feat.
04:47The route to the summit is technically demanding,
04:50with climbers having to navigate through steep ridges, deep snow, and potentially unstable glaciers.
04:55The mountain's permanent snow line lies above 16,000 feet,
04:59where conditions are consistently challenging.
05:01Precipitation here is common, with heavy snowfall during the monsoon season from June to September,
05:06which is particularly treacherous due to the increased risk of avalanches and landslides.
05:1112. The Matterhorn
05:14The Matterhorn, standing at 14,692 feet,
05:19is one of the most iconic and recognizable mountains in the world.
05:23It straddles the border between Switzerland and Italy,
05:26dominating the skyline with its near-perfect pyramidal shape.
05:30But while its striking appearance has made it a symbol of the Alps,
05:33the Matterhorn is also notorious for its deadly reputation.
05:37Since the first ascent in 1865, over 500 climbers have lost their lives on its slopes,
05:43making it one of the most dangerous peaks in the world.
05:46The Matterhorn is a challenging climb due to the steep and exposed rock faces,
05:50rapid altitude changes, and the unpredictable weather.
05:53The mountain's symmetrical pyramid has four faces, each aligned with the cardinal directions.
05:59The Horlingratt, or Hornly Ridge, is most popular route to the summit,
06:02but it's also fraught with danger.
06:04Loose rocks, falling debris, and the threat of avalanches are constant hazards here.
06:09The peak's isolated location makes weather conditions particularly volatile.
06:13Banner clouds formed by air currents swirling around the mountain can appear suddenly,
06:18obscuring visibility and creating some dangerous conditions for climbers.
06:21Despite all the dangers, though, the Matterhorn attracts between 3,000 to 4,000 climbers each year.
06:27However, the mountain's challenges are often underestimated, leading to a high failure rate.
06:32Approximately 65% of those who attempt to climb do not reach the summit,
06:36often due to a lack of physical fitness, experience, or understanding these harsh conditions.
06:42The Matterhorn's fame extends beyond the climbing community.
06:45Its distinctive shape has inspired artists, filmmakers, and even theme park designers.
06:50Notably, a large-scale replica of the Matterhorn is a centerpiece at Disneyland,
06:54and the mountain's dramatic history has been the subject of numerous films and documentaries.
07:02You can't have a list of the hardest mountain climbs without talking about Mount Everest.
07:07Standing at 29,031 feet, Mount Everest remains the Earth's highest and most famous mountain.
07:14It's located on the border of Nepal and Tibet.
07:17Its summit marks the dividing line between the two nations.
07:20This massive peak is known not just for its height, but also for the extreme conditions here.
07:25Unpredictable weather and congested climbing routes during the peak season,
07:29the allure of Everest, however, is often overshadowed by its dangers.
07:33The expedition to the top of Everest is no short journey.
07:37Climbers typically spend upwards of 60 days preparing and ascending,
07:41facing some of the harshest conditions found anywhere on the planet.
07:45With temperatures as low as minus 75 degrees Fahrenheit,
07:48and winds reaching up to 175 miles an hour,
07:52the mountain's environment can be as unforgiving as it is majestic.
07:56One of the most notorious sections of the climb is known as the death zone,
08:00which begins at an altitude of just over 26,000 feet.
08:03This part of the climb is infamous for the dangerously low oxygen levels here,
08:07where the human body begins to physically deteriorate.
08:10For climbers, the death zone is not just a challenge during the ascent,
08:14but poses even greater risks on the descent.
08:17As altitude sickness, fatigue, and physical deterioration set in,
08:21the descent through this zone becomes a test of survival.
08:25The body's weakened state combined with freezing temperatures and dangerous terrain
08:28leaves little room for error.
08:31The nickname death zone is well-earned,
08:33as climbers who linger too long here face potentially fatal consequences.
08:38In addition to its physical challenges,
08:39Everest also demands a significant financial investment.
08:43The cost of climbing permits for the Nepal route alone can range from $10,000 to $30,000 a person,
08:48depending on the size of the expedition.
08:51Most climbers hire full-service guide companies,
08:53which handle everything from acquiring permits to providing transportation to and from base camp,
08:58setting up the tents, cooking meals, and offering medical assistance on the mountain.
09:02These services, however, come at a steep cost too, often between $40,000 to $80,000.
09:07They heavily rely on the Sherpas, who transport most of the climbers' gear,
09:11allowing clients to carry lighter backpacks, typically under 22 pounds.
09:15This differs from less commercialized peaks such as Denali,
09:18where climbers have to haul much heavier loads.
09:2210. Makalu
09:25At 27,838 feet, Makalu is the fifth-highest mountain in the world,
09:31yet it remains one of the least visited among the Himalayan giants.
09:35Unlike its more famous neighbor, Mount Everest, which is only about 12 miles away,
09:39Makalu isn't seen the same influx of climbers and adventurers.
09:43This isn't merely due to its relative obscurity,
09:46rather it's the mountain's highly technical challenges.
09:49It's a peak that tests not just physical endurance, but also your technical skills,
09:53making it a challenge even for seasoned mountaineers.
09:56To summit here is no small feat.
09:58Only around 500 people have successfully reached the peak,
10:01a big contrast to the thousands who have summited Everest.
10:04The altitude, coupled with the strenuous climb,
10:07increases the risk of altitude sickness and exhaustion.
10:10Climbers have to be prepared to face these challenges,
10:13as the mountain's location and isolation means that rescue operations,
10:16in case of emergencies, are far more complicated.
10:19Now, unlike more popular trekking routes in the region,
10:22which are dotted with tea huts and villages providing shelter and supplies,
10:27the routes to Makalu are barren.
10:29The absence of such infrastructure means that climbers have to be entirely self-sufficient.
10:34Now, Makalu isn't just a single peak, but part of a broader mountain complex,
10:37including two significant subsidiary peaks, Kangchungsae and Chomolungso.
10:42Kangchungsae, standing at 25,118 feet,
10:46lies about 2 miles north-northwest of the main summit.
10:49Chomolungso, slightly taller at 25,627 feet,
10:53is located about 3 miles to the north-northeast.
10:56These peaks, connected to Makalu by narrow ridges and steep saddles,
11:00add to the complexity and the allure of the mountain,
11:03offering additional challenges to those who seek them.
11:079. Denali
11:10Denali, also known as Mount McKinley,
11:13stands as the highest peak in North America, towering at 20,310 feet.
11:18Situated in the remote wilderness of Alaska,
11:21Denali isn't just a geographical giant,
11:24but it is also a formidable challenge for climbers.
11:27This mountain's isolation, coupled with the severe weather and technical difficulties,
11:31makes it one of the most challenging and dangerous climbs in the world.
11:34The journey to this summit typically takes around three weeks,
11:37with only about 500 climbers successfully reaching the peak
11:40during its peak season each year.
11:42However, the difficulty of climbing Denali extends far beyond the technical demands.
11:46It's a unique set of challenges, and it begins with the weather.
11:50Winds on the mountain can reach speeds of up to 100 miles an hour,
11:53while temperatures can plummet to a bone-chilling minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
11:57Climbers must also contend with the threat of altitude sickness,
12:00which can strike as they ascend to the higher elevations,
12:03where the air becomes thinner and oxygen pressure levels drop.
12:07Unlike more accessible peaks, Denali offers no easy escape routes
12:11or nearby medical facilities in case of an emergency.
12:14This isolation means that climbers must be entirely self-sufficient,
12:17carrying all their supplies and equipment for the duration of the climb.
12:21There are multiple routes to the summit, with at least 30 recognized paths.
12:24The Kassen Ridge route is one of the most famous and challenging,
12:27attracting the seasoned climbers looking for a more technical ascent.
12:31The most commonly used route today, however, is the West Buttress,
12:34pioneered by Bradford Washburn in 1951.
12:37This route is considered the safest and easiest,
12:39yet it still presents significant challenges,
12:41particularly when it comes to acclimatization.
12:44Climbers are advised to move at a safe-but-quick pace
12:47between the four camps set up along the route,
12:49but finding the right balance is critical.
12:52Moving too quickly increases the risk of altitude sickness,
12:55while moving too slowly can expose climbers to the mountain's brutal weather
12:58for way longer periods.
13:018. Dhaulagiri 1
13:04Dhaulagiri 1, at 26,795 feet above sea level,
13:09is the seventh-highest mountain in the world.
13:11It's known locally as the White Mountain
13:13due to its perpetually snow-covered peaks.
13:16Dhaulagiri 1 is both a majestic and perilous challenge for mountaineers.
13:20It does hold a significant place in the climbing community,
13:23particularly among those who seek to conquer peaks
13:26with the exclusive 8,000-meter category.
13:29With over 400 successful summits to date,
13:31Dhaulagiri 1 has attracted climbers from around the globe.
13:34Its daunting vertical rise, particularly on the south wall,
13:37which ascends nearly 15,000 feet from the base to the summit,
13:41contributes to its reputation as one of the most difficult peaks.
13:45It features four primary faces,
13:47each offering a unique and difficult path to the summit.
13:50The west face, in particular, is the least attempted due to the difficulty,
13:54involving intricate navigation over dangerous crevasses and icy inclines.
13:58But regardless of the chosen route,
14:00climbers have to be prepared to endure extreme conditions.
14:03Temperatures here plummet to minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit
14:06and wind speeds reaching upwards of 62 miles an hour.
14:09But despite the challenges,
14:10the most commonly attempted route remains the Northeast Ridge,
14:13which was first ascended by a Swiss expedition
14:16led by Max Eiselen on May 13, 1960.
14:19This route, while still dangerous, has become the standard
14:21due to its relatively lower risk.
14:23Dhaulagiri 1's prominence is not only a result of the physical height,
14:27but also its historical significance.
14:29When it was first surveyed in 1808,
14:31Dhaulagiri was considered the highest mountain in the world,
14:34until it was surpassed by Kangchenjunga in 1838,
14:37and later by Mount Everest in 1858.
14:40The mountain was the penultimate 8,000er to be summited
14:43and the last in Nepal,
14:45further cementing its status as a challenge in the mountaineering world.
14:48While despite numerous attempts,
14:50the Northwest Ridge and South Face remain unclimbed in their entirety,
14:54with the South Face often regarded as one of the greatest
14:57remaining challenges in mountaineering.
15:04Bainthabrok, also ominously known as the Ogre,
15:08stands as one of the most formidable
15:10and elusive climbing challenges in the world.
15:12This granite giant, rising over 23,900 feet
15:16in the Karakoram range of Pakistan,
15:19is renowned for its difficulty
15:21and the significant technical demands it places on mountaineers.
15:24Located in the Panama-Muztak sub-range,
15:27Bainthabrok looms over a glacier with its steep, craggy profile,
15:31earning it a fearsome reputation in the mountaineering community.
15:35Despite its relatively modest elevation,
15:37compared to some of the world's highest peaks,
15:39the Ogre's combination of altitude, sheer steepness,
15:42and the complexity of its granite faces
15:44makes it one of the most challenging climbs on the planet.
15:47The mountain's first successful ascent in 1977
15:51by British climbers Doug Scott and Chris Bonington
15:54has become the stuff of legend.
15:56After two unsuccessful attempts in 1971 and 76,
15:59Scott and Bonington, along with their team,
16:01finally reached the summit via the southwest spur to the West Ridge,
16:05continuing over the West Summit to the main summit.
16:08The climb was a groundbreaking achievement,
16:10requiring advanced rock-climbing techniques
16:13at an altitude exceeding 23,000 feet,
16:16an event that pushed the limits of what had been done
16:19in high-altitude mountaineering at the time.
16:21However, the descent proved even more harrowing than the ascent.
16:25Scott broke both legs during the first rappel from the summit,
16:28and Bonington later broke two ribs and contracted pneumonia.
16:31Despite these severe injuries,
16:33they managed to endure a grueling week-long descent
16:36through a major storm,
16:38eventually reaching base camp where they had to wait for assistance.
16:41It took another 24 years before Bainthabrok saw its second ascent.
16:46Its reputation as an almost impregnable fortress of rock and ice
16:51is well-earned.
16:52Its south face, for instance, rises over 9,800 feet
16:56within a mere 1.2 miles of horizontal distance,
16:59presenting a near-vertical wall of rock
17:02that's thwarted many attempts.
17:04The steep and rocky nature here, coupled with its remote location,
17:07makes it an attractive yet daunting target for elite climbers
17:11seeking to push their abilities.
17:13The Latok peaks, which lie adjacent to Bainthabrok,
17:15share similar characteristics,
17:17but it is the ogre's unrelenting difficulty that sets it apart.
17:25Annapurna I, towering at 26,545 feet,
17:29is one of the four main summits within the Annapurna mountain range,
17:33stretching approximately 30 miles between the Kali
17:35and Marsyandi rivers in north-central Nepal.
17:38Known for its weather conditions and treacherous terrain,
17:41Annapurna I is infamous for having one of the highest accident rates
17:45among the 8,000-meter peaks.
17:47While the full Annapurna circuit, a world-renowned trek,
17:50can take 12 to 21 days to complete,
17:52reaching the summit of Annapurna I itself
17:54demands upwards of 17 days or more.
17:57The name Annapurna, meaning everlasting food in Sanskrit,
18:01is derived from the Hindu goddess of food and nourishment,
18:04believed to reside on the mountain.
18:06Streams descending from the massive slopes
18:08provide essential water for the agricultural fields
18:11and pastures at lower levels.
18:13Its treacherous conditions here are well-documented,
18:15with climbers facing extreme weather,
18:17including avalanches, severe winds,
18:19known locally as the black wind due to the dust and debris they carry,
18:23and temperatures plunging to over minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit or lower.
18:27The steep icy slopes here challenge seasoned mountaineers,
18:30and it contributes to a high accident rate
18:32that, despite recent improvements, still hovers around 20%.
18:36As of 2022, only 365 climbers have successfully reached the summit,
18:41while 72 were not so lucky.
18:44Maurice Herzog's French expedition in 1950
18:47marked the first successful ascent of Annapurna I,
18:49making it the first 8,000-meter peak ever climbed.
18:52This monumental achievement, however,
18:54set the stage for a legacy of peril,
18:57and would go on to become one of the most dangerous 8,000ers for decades.
19:01In 1978, Harleen Blum became the first woman to summit Annapurna I,
19:05leading an all-female expedition.
19:07However, the journey was marked by tragedy,
19:09with several members of her team losing their lives.
19:12Blum described the climb as grueling and scary work,
19:15particularly the challenge of navigating
19:17soft, unstable snow and enormous cornices.
19:21Despite the dangers, Annapurna I remains a coveted prize for climbers,
19:25particularly the notorious 9,800-foot South Face,
19:29considered one of the most difficult climbs in the world.
19:31Trekkers also flock here to the conservation area,
19:34which encompasses the entire massif
19:36and offers some of the world's most famous treks,
19:38including the Annapurna Sanctuary and the Annapurna Circuit.
19:425. The Vinson Massif
19:45A colossal formation in Antarctica,
19:48the Vinson Massif stretches 13 miles long and 8 miles wide,
19:52lying within the sentinel range of the Ellsworth Mountains.
19:56Unlike a single mountain peak,
19:58a massif refers to a compact group of connected mountains
20:01or a section of a planet's crust
20:03that is demarcated by faults or flexures,
20:06making it geologically distinct.
20:08Vinson Massif exemplifies this with its sprawling structure
20:12that includes Antarctica's highest peak, Mount Vinson.
20:15It is towering at 16,050 feet
20:18and discovered in 1958 by U.S. Navy aircraft.
20:21This massif overlooks the Ranei Shelf,
20:24and it's located about 750 miles from the South Pole.
20:27Its prominence and its isolation
20:29have made it a significant objective for mountaineers,
20:32despite its remote location.
20:34The first successful ascent was made in 1966
20:37by an American team led by Nicholas Clinch,
20:40and the expedition was part of a larger effort
20:42by the American Alpine Club
20:43and was supported by the National Science Foundation,
20:46the National Geographic Society, and the U.S. Navy.
20:49The Vinson Massif was named in 1961
20:52by the Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names
20:54after Carl G. Vinson, a U.S. congressman from Georgia,
20:58in recognition of his significant support
21:00for Antarctic exploration.
21:02The conditions here of Antarctica
21:03make climbing Mount Vinson a formidable task.
21:07Despite this, as of 2010,
21:08approximately 1,400 climbers had attempted the ascent,
21:11drawn by the mountain's extreme isolation.
21:14The height of Mount Vinson was precisely measured in 2004
21:17by a team from the Omega Foundation,
21:19confirming its current elevation at 16,050 feet.
21:22The mountain is ranked sixth in the world
21:24by topographic isolation,
21:26further highlighting its remoteness.
21:294. Eiger
21:31The Eiger, standing at 13,015 feet,
21:35is one of the most iconic mountains
21:37in the Bernese Alps of Switzerland.
21:39It is the easternmost peak of a ridge
21:41that includes the Monk and the Jungfrau,
21:43forming a massive trio that defines
21:45the skyline of the Bernese Oberland.
21:47Now, unlike a single peak, Eiger is part of a massif,
21:50that compact group of mountains connected by ridges
21:53and sharing a common geological foundation.
21:55Its most renowned feature
21:57is its nearly 5,900-foot north face,
21:59known as the Eiger Nordwand,
22:01or simply the Nordwand.
22:03This sheer wall of rock and ice
22:04is the largest north face in the Alps,
22:06and it's earned a fearsome reputation among climbers.
22:09Since the first ascent of the Eiger in 1858
22:12by Swiss guides Christian Ulmer and Peter Boren,
22:15along with Irishman Charles Barrington,
22:17the mountain has become a magnet for mountaineers.
22:20The Nordwand's difficulty and danger
22:22have made it legendary,
22:23with at least 64 climbers losing their lives
22:26on its slopes since 1935.
22:28This grim history has led to the north face
22:31being dubbed the Mordwand, or Murder Wall,
22:34a pun on its German name.
22:36Despite the dangers, though,
22:37the Eiger has been made accessible to non-climbers
22:40through the Jungfrau railway,
22:41which runs inside the mountain
22:43and features two internal stations.
22:45The Eigerwand station is positioned behind the north face,
22:47and it was once a vital part of the rescue efforts
22:49for climbers in distress,
22:51but has not been regularly served since 2016.
22:54On the southwestern side, the Eiger Glacier
22:56flows from the ridge connecting the Eiger to the Monk,
22:59descending to around 7,900 feet
23:00near the Eiger Gletscher railway station.
23:03The Eiger's north face is known as one of the
23:06trilogy of great north faces in the Alps,
23:08along with the Matterhorn and the Grand Jurassic,
23:11and it continues to challenge and inspire climbers.
23:14The face's notorious upper section,
23:16called the White Spider,
23:17is a snow-filled web of cracks
23:19radiating from an ice field,
23:21which played a dramatic role
23:22in the first successful ascent.
23:24Climbers today, though,
23:25often choose and tackle Eiger in winter,
23:27when the cold stabilizes the crumbling rock face,
23:30but the climb still remains a test of endurance,
23:33skill, and sheer willpower.
23:353. Xishapangma
23:38Xishapangma, standing at 26,335 feet,
23:43is the 14th highest mountain in the world,
23:45and it holds a unique place in the annals of mountaineering.
23:48It's located entirely within Tibet,
23:50and it's the only one of the world's 14 eight-thousanders
23:53that lies solely within Chinese territory.
23:55Xishapangma, known locally as the Abode of God,
23:59sits five kilometers from the border with Nepal.
24:02It is part of the Jugal Himal Range,
24:04which is a continuous range with the Langtang Himal.
24:07Unlike many other peaks in the Himalayas,
24:09Xishanpangma is situated on the northern dry side
24:12of the Himalayan crest.
24:14The mountain has a distinct geography,
24:16featuring a subsidiary peak known as the Central Peak,
24:18which rises to 26,273 feet.
24:22This peak is often the subject of controversy among climbers,
24:25as some ascents have only reached this slightly lower summit,
24:28leading to debates about the validity of the climbs.
24:32The true summit, which is 62 feet higher,
24:34is accessed via a dangerous ridge
24:36that takes about two hours to travel from the Central Peak.
24:40Xishapangma's climbing history is marked by both triumph and tragedy.
24:44It was the last of the 8,000ers to be climbed,
24:47with its first successful ascent in 1964.
24:50Since then, it's become known as one of the more accessible 8,000ers,
24:53particularly in the north route,
24:55which is favored for its relatively straightforward approach.
24:58Despite its reputation, though, as one of the easier 8,000ers,
25:01Xishapangma has seen its fair share of failed attempts,
25:04in fact, 31 of them.
25:06The mountain's steeper southwest face
25:08presents a more technical challenge,
25:10with a 7,200-foot ascent on a 50-degree slope
25:13that tests even the most experienced mountaineers.
25:17Number 2. Lhotse
25:19In the heart of the Himalayas,
25:21Lhotse is the fourth-highest mountain on Earth,
25:24standing at an incredible 27,940 feet above sea level.
25:29It's located on the border between the Tibet Autonomous Region of China
25:32and Nepal's Khumbu region.
25:34Lhotse forms a critical part of the Everest Massif,
25:37connected to its more famous neighbor, Mount Everest, by the South Coal.
25:41Despite the close proximity to Everest, though,
25:43Lhotse remains formidable,
25:45and often an underestimated challenge for mountaineers.
25:48The first serious attempt to scale Lhotse
25:50was made in 1955 by the International Himalayan Expedition.
25:54Although this expedition didn't reach the summit,
25:56it did lay the groundwork for future attempts
25:58by mapping the region and understanding the challenges posed by this mountain.
26:02The main summit of Lhotse was finally conquered on May 18th, 1956,
26:06by Swiss climbers Ernest Reiss and Fritz Luschinger.
26:09This success was a significant achievement,
26:12marking Lhotse as one of the last major Himalayan peaks to be summited.
26:16The mountain is part of a horseshoe-shaped arc
26:18that includes Everest and Nupsi,
26:20which is towering peaks forming a natural fortress of sorts.
26:24Its main summit, accompanied by three other notable peaks,
26:26Lhotse Middle, Lhotse Central 2, and Lhotse Shar,
26:30the primary route to the summit follows the same path
26:32as Everest's South Coal route up to Camp 3,
26:35after which climbers diverge towards Lhotse.
26:38The Lhotse face is a steep and icy wall on the mountain's western flank.
26:42It is one of the most formidable challenges for climbers.
26:45Rising over 3,600 feet,
26:47this wall consists of 40 to 50-degree slopes
26:50with occasional 80-degree bulges,
26:52making it a true test of skill.
26:54Weather conditions here at Lhotse
26:56add another layer of difficulty to the climb, of course,
26:58because the mountain is subject to the harsh
27:00and unpredictable weather patterns here in the Himalayas,
27:02with temperatures often plummeting well below freezing
27:05and high winds creating white-out conditions.
27:08Climbing it is not for the faint of heart.
27:10The mountain's south face, in particular,
27:12is known for its extreme difficulty.
27:14This face is incredibly steep and exposed,
27:16with rockfalls and avalanches being constant threats.
27:20The technical demands of the climb,
27:22combined with the harsh weather,
27:23make Lhotse one of the most dangerous peaks in the world.
27:26The icy northeast face of Lhotse remains unclimbed.
27:30That's an example of this mountain's unforgiving nature.
27:37Nanga Parbat, standing at a formidable 26,660 feet above sea level,
27:43is the ninth highest mountain on Earth
27:45and one of the most treacherous to climb.
27:47It's located in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan.
27:50Administered by Kashmir,
27:52Nanga Parbat is the westernmost anchor of the Himalayan range,
27:55towering over its surrounding landscape.
27:58Known for both its beauty and its challenge,
28:01this mountain is a magnet for adventure seekers,
28:04yet it's earned the ominous nickname
28:06Killer Mountain
28:07due to the numerous mishaps that have happened on its slopes.
28:10The first successful ascent of Nanga Parbat
28:12was achieved on July 3rd, 1953
28:15by Austrian climber Hermann Buhl.
28:17His ascent was remarkable,
28:19not only because it was the first,
28:20but also because it was completed without supplemental oxygen
28:23and entirely solo,
28:25a feat unparalleled in the history of mountaineering on eight-thousanders.
28:29This victory, however, came after years of tragedy.
28:32Thirty-one climbers had already lost their lives
28:35attempting to conquer this mountain,
28:37driving home its unforgiving reputation.
28:39Nanga Parbat's name,
28:41which translates to Naked Mountain in Urdu,
28:44reflects that stark and imposing presence.
28:47The mountain is surrounded by lower peaks,
28:49making it exposed to high winds and volatile weather.
28:52Mountaineer David Guttler described Nanga Parbat
28:55as being, quote,
28:56like an island surrounded by way lower peaks, end quote,
28:59which makes it extremely vulnerable to sudden weather changes.
29:02The mountain has very short good weather windows,
29:04further complicating things.
29:06But one of the most formidable features of Nanga Parbat
29:09is the Rupal Face,
29:11often referred to as the highest mountain face in the world,
29:14rising 15,090 feet from its base.
29:17This sheer wall of rock and ice
29:19is a daunting challenge for even the most experienced climbers.
29:23On the northern side,
29:24the Rakyat flank offers a somewhat more gentle slope,
29:27yet it still rises 23,000 feet
29:29from the Indus River Valley to the summit,
29:31representing one of the greatest elevation gains
29:33over such a short distance.
29:35The dangers of climbing it are numerous and severe.
29:38The steep slopes are prone to avalanches,
29:40really during the warmer months
29:42when the snow and ice begin to melt,
29:43and the remote location of Nanga Parbat
29:45adds another layer of difficulty.
29:47Rescue operations are challenging,
29:49if not impossible in case of an emergency.
29:52But one of the more popular routes up the mountain
29:54is via the western Diomere Face,
29:56which avoids some of the avalanche dangers
29:58posed by the hanging glaciers that threaten you overhead.
30:01However, even this route is fraught with difficulties,
30:04including unpredictable weather, technical climbing,
30:07and the physical demands of high-altitude mountaineering.
30:10Thanks for watching, everybody.
30:12I'll see you next time.
30:14Thank you to our channel members.