Mountains have always fascinated and humbled mankind with their sheer size and grandeur. They stand as an evident to the forces of nature and the indomitable spirit of exploration. Among the myriad peaks that dot the Earth’s surface, some rise far above the rest, dwarfing everything in their vicinity. In this article, we will explore the tallest mountain in the world and provide a list of the top-10 tallest mountains in the world, each of which offers its unique charm and challenges for climbers.
List of Top-10 Tallest Mountains in the World
Mount Everest, located in the Himalayas on the border of Nepal and Tibet, is the tallest mountain in the world with an astonishing height of 8,848.86 meters (29,031.7 feet).
Here is the list of top-10 tallest mountains in the world:
Tallest Mountains in the World | ||||
S. No. | Mountains | Height (in m) | Range | Location |
1. | Mount Everest | 8,849 | Mahalangur Himalaya | Nepal, China |
2. | K2 | 8,611 | Baltoro Karakoram | Pakistan, China |
3. | Kangchenjunga | 8,586 | Kangchenjunga Himalaya | Nepal, India |
4. | Lhotse | 8,516 | Mahalangur Himalaya | China, Nepal |
5. | Makalu | 8,485 | Mahalangur Himalaya | Nepal, China |
6. | Cho Oyu | 8,188 | Mahalangur Himalaya | China, Nepal |
7. | Dhaulagiri I | 8,167 | Dhaulagiri Himalaya | Nepal |
8. | Manaslu | 8,163 | Manaslu Himalaya | Pakistan |
9. | Nanga Parbat | 8,126 | Nanga Parbat Himalaya | Pakistan |
10. | Annapurna I | 8,091 | Annapurna Himalaya | Nepal |
Tallest Mountain in the World: Mount Everest
Height: 8,849 m
Range: Mahalangur Himalaya
Location: Nepal, China
Mount Everest, tallest mountain in the world, towers at an elevation of 8,848.86 meters (29,031 feet) above sea level. It is located in the Himalayas, straddling the China-Nepal border. Climbers are drawn to its challenging routes, particularly the standard one from Nepal’s southeast and Tibet’s northern approach. While not extremely technical, Everest poses deadly threats like altitude sickness and avalanches, resulting in numerous fatalities. The first documented summit was achieved by Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary in 1953 via the southeast ridge route, forever cementing Everest’s status as the tallest mountain on Earth.
Second Tallest Mountain in the World: K2
Height: 8,611 m
Range: Baltoro Karakoram
Location: Pakistan, China
K2, the second tallest mountain in the world at 8,611 meters (28,251 feet) above sea level, is a formidable peak situated in the Karakoram range. Its nickname, the “Savage Mountain,” reflects its treacherous nature, where approximately one climber dies for every four who reach the summit. Though slightly lower than Everest, K2’s northern location makes it a more challenging and dangerous climb due to frequent adverse weather conditions.
Third Tallest Mountain in the World: Kangchenjunga
Height: 8,586 m
Range: Kangchenjunga Himalaya
Location: Nepal, India
Kangchenjunga, the third tallest mountain in the world, reaches an elevation of 8,586 meters (28,169 feet) in the Kangchenjunga Himal region of Himalayas, straddling the Nepal-India border. Until 1852, it was believed to be the world’s highest peak, but measurements by the Great Trigonometrical Survey of India confirmed Mount Everest as the tallest. Kangchenjunga is considered sacred in Nepal and Sikkim and it was first climbed in 1955, with climbers stopping just shy of the summit as a mark of respect. The Indian side of the mountain is restricted for climbers and the adjoining Khangchendzonga National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2016.
Lhotse
Height: 8,516 m
Range: Mahalangur Himalaya
Location: China, Nepal
Lhotse is the fourth tallest mountain in the world, standing at an impressive height of 8,516 meters (27,940 feet). It ranks just below Mount Everest, K2 and Kangchenjunga in terms of elevation. This majestic peak straddles the border between the Tibet Autonomous Region of China and Nepal’s Khumbu region.
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