Major Mountain Peaks of the World


Major mountain peaks rank among the planet's most recognizable and breath-taking natural attractions. They are emblems of human perseverance and adventure and inspire us with their sheer magnitude and beauty. There are innumerable high mountains throughout the world, each with its own distinct history, geography, and cultural significance.

Some of these peaks, such as Mount Everest, are well-known, while others are still unexplored hidden gems. In this regard, climbing the world's highest mountains is an exhilarating and rewarding trip that provides a window into the might and majesty of nature.

Major Mountain Peaks of the World

Here’s the detailed description of Major Mountain Peaks of the World −

Mount Everest

  • The tallest peak in the world, Mount Everest, is 8,848 meters (29,029 ft) above sea level.

  • It is situated in the Greater Himalayas on the line separating Nepal and Tibet.

  • Tenzing Norgay, a Sherpa from Nepal, and Sir Edmund Hillary, a climber from New Zealand, made the first successful ascent of Mount Everest in 1953.

  • The "death zone" refers to the region surrounding Mount Everest because of the area's high elevation and severe weather.

  • The Sherpa people, who go by the name Chomolungma, hold the peak in high regard.

K2

  • With a height of 8,611 meters (28,251 ft), K2 is the second-highest summit in the world.

  • It is situated in the Karakoram Range, on the frontiers located in Pakistan and China Occupied Kashmir.

  • The Karakoram range gave rise to the moniker "K2," which was formerly referred to as "Mount Godwin-Austen" in honour of the British surveyor who had conducted the initial mapping of the area.

  • The first climb of K2 was accomplished in 1954 by an Italian group under the direction of Ardito Desio.

  • The mountain's reputation as the "Savage Mountain" stems from its perilous and erratic characteristics.

Kangchenjunga

  • The third-highest mountain in the world, Kangchenjunga, is 8,586 meters (28,169 feet) tall.

  • It is situated in the eastern Himalayas, close to the Nepal-India border.

  • A large mountain massif, Kangchenjunga is famous for its five magnificent peaks.

  • A British expedition headed by Joe Brown and George Band successfully summited Kangchenjunga for the first time in 1955.

Lhotse

  • Lhotse, which measures 8,516 meters (27,940 feet) in height, is the fourth-highest summit in the world.

  • It is situated quite near Mount Everest on the Nepal-Tibet border.

  • Lhotse Main, Lhotse Shar, and Lhotse Middle are the three main summits of the mountain.

  • In 1956, an expedition from Switzerland under the direction of Ernst Reiss and Fritz Luchsinger made the first successful ascent of Lhotse.

  • Since it is situated just south of Mount Everest, the Tibetan name Lhotse means "South Peak" in English.

Makalu

  • With a height of 8,485 meters (27,838 feet), Makalu is the fifth-highest mountain in the world.

  • On the boundary between Nepal and Tibet, it is situated in the Mahalangur Himalayas.

  • With its four ridges forming a star shape around the summit, Makalu is a mountain with four sides that resembles a pyramid.

  • A French group headed by Jean Franco and Lionel Terray made the first successful ascent of Makalu in 1955.

  • The mountain bears the name of the Hindu goddess of wealth and prosperity because, according to legend, its shape is similar to her forehead and crown.

Cho Oyu

  • Cho Oyu, which rises to a height of 8,188 meters (26,864 feet), is the sixth-highest peak in the world.

  • It is situated in the Mahalangur Himalayas, on the line separating Nepal and Tibet.

  • Tibetans refer to Cho Oyu as the "Turquoise Goddess" because of the colour of its ice.

  • 1954 saw the first successful ascent of Cho Oyu by an Austrian expedition under the direction of Joseph Jöchler.

  • Cho Oyu is a well-liked climbing location because it is one of the simpler 8,000-meter peaks to scale.

Dhaulagiri

  • Dhaulagiri, which rises to a height of 8,167 meters (26,795 feet), is the seventh-highest peak in the world.

  • It is situated in the Dhaulagiri Himalayas, in the centre of Nepal.

  • Sanskrit for "White Mountain," Dhaulagiri is a mountain range.

  • Max Eiselin and Albin Schelbert's Swiss/Austrian expedition made the first successful ascent of Dhaulagiri in 1960.

  • The mountain has four faces and a total of five ridges, with the west face being the most difficult ascent.

Manaslu

  • Manaslu, which rises to a height of 8,163 meters (26,781 feet), is the eighth-highest peak in the world.

  • It is situated in the Nepalese Himalayas' Mansiri Himal.

  • Sanskrit "Manaslu" translates to "Mountain of the Spirit" in English.

  • A Japanese team headed by Toshio Imanishi and Gyalzen Norbu made the first successful climb of Manaslu in 1956.

  • Additionally, the mountain is a portion of the Manaslu Conservation Area, which is home to a wide variety of plants and animals, including red pandas and snow leopards.

Nanga Parbat

  • The ninth-highest mountain in the world, Nanga Parbat, is situated in India and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. It lies just south of the Indus River in the Diamer District of Gilgit–Baltistan in Pakistani-administered Kashmir.

  • Hermann Buhl, an Austrian climber, completed the first successful ascent to the peak in 1953.

  • Due to the high number of fatalities among climbers attempting to reach its summit, it has earned the moniker "Killer Mountain" and is well recognized for its steep vertical increase and difficult climbing routes.

  • The second-highest mountain face in the world, after Mount Everest's south face, is found on Nanga Parbat.

Annapurna

  • The Annapurna massif is in Nepal's Himalayas.

  • It consists of a number of peaks, the tallest of which is Annapurna I at 8,091 meters (26,545 feet).

  • A French team headed by Maurice Herzog successfully climbed Annapurna I in 1950, becoming the first 8,000-meter peak to do so.

Major Mountain Peaks in The World

The below table shows the major mountain peaks of the world, their height in meters and their location −

Mountain Peak

Height (m)

Location

Mount Everest

8,848

Nepal/Tibet

K2

8,611

China and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir

Kangchenjunga

8,586

India

Lhotse

8,516

Nepal/Tibet

Makalu

8,485

Nepal/Tibet

Cho Oyu

8,188

Nepal/Tibet

Dhaulagiri

8,167

Nepal

Manaslu

8,163

Nepal

Nanga Parbat

8,126

India/Pakistan Occupied Kashmir

Annapurna

8,091

Nepal

Conclusion

For both climbers and non-climbers alike, the highest mountain peaks on earth are breath-taking and fascinating. These peaks have served as the backdrop for innumerable expeditions and explorations, from the lofty heights of Mount Everest to the strenuous climb up K2. These summits are among the most sought-after mountaineering locations because of their technical difficulties, harsh weather, and magnificent scenery.

Despite the fact that every peak is different, they all have one thing in common: the beauty and power of nature, which can only be experienced by those who are prepared to take on the task of climbing to the top.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Mountain peak is the second tallest in the world?

K2, also known as Mount Godwin-Austen, is the second tallest mountain peak in the world.

Which Mountain peak is known as the "Goddess of the Sky"?

Kangchenjunga is known as the "Goddess of the Sky".

Which Mountain peak is connected to Mount Everest by the South Col?

Lhotse is connected to Mount Everest by the South Col.

Which Mountain peak is located in the Mahalangur Himalayas of Nepal?

Makalu is located in the Mahalangur Himalayas of Nepal.

Which Mountain peak is the sixth tallest mountain peak in the world?

Cho Oyu is the sixth tallest mountain peak in the world.

Which Mountain peak was first climbed on May 13, 1960?

Dhaulagiri was first climbed on May 13, 1960.

Which Mountain peak is the eighth tallest in the world and located in the Mansiri Himal, part of the Nepalese Himalayas?

Manaslu is the eighth tallest in the world and located in the Mansiri Himal.

Which Mountain peak is known as the "Killer Mountain"?

Nanga Parbat is known as the "Killer Mountain".

Which Mountain peak was the first of the fourteen "eight-thousands" to be climbed?

Annapurna I was the first of the fourteen "eight-thousands" to be climbed.

Updated on: 08-Nov-2023

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