Guest article by Ashley Wilson
Climbing a mountain is, without a doubt, an experience that will be hard to forget. Standing at the top of the mountain and feeling like the whole world is under your feet - yeah, that’s not something you push out of your mind easily. However, as amazing as it is, we cannot forget about the danger that comes with it.
You may want to climb Kilimanjaro or dream about getting to the top of Mount Everest. But can you make your dream come true? Well, it depends. While some mountains can be pretty easy to climb, others not so much, and should be climbed only by those who already have some experience. But which mountains are those? Below, you will find a list of the nine most difficult mountains to climb in the world.
Mount Thor, Canada
Mount Thor is located on Victoria Island in Canada. It's 3,922 meters high and was first climbed in 1960. It requires a lot of experience and mountaineering skills to be climbed, so if you plan to do it, try to do thorough research before starting and trying to get help from professionals. Don't forget that it is one of the most remote mountains in the world.
K2, China/Pakistan
K2 is one of the most dangerous mountains in the world. Located at the border between China and Pakistan, it is 8,611 meters high and has an average climbing period of 40 days. There have been 268 fatalities since 1978. However, there are still a lot of people trying to climb it each year.
Annapurna I, Nepal
Annapurna I is another perilous mountain to climb. Located in Nepal, it has a height of 8,091 meters above sea level. It’s the deadliest peak in the world - a lot of people die while climbing it every year because of avalanches and falling rocks. It can be climbed only between December and late April, but even if you manage to do so, don't expect it to be easy!
Nanga Parbat, Pakistan
Nanga Parbat is one of the tallest mountains in the world. Located in Pakistan, it has a height of 8,126 meters above sea level and can be considered a real challenge for mountaineers everywhere. It's also a very dangerous mountain to climb. Over 70 people died while trying to climb it between 1900 and 1970.
Gasherbrum 1, Pakistan/China
The Gasherbrum 1 is a mountain located on the border between Pakistan and China. You can find it at the Karakoram Range and has a height of 8,080 meters above sea level. It's extremely dangerous to climb because of avalanches, falling rocks, and the possibility of developing altitude sickness. Like many other mountains on this list, it can be climbed only between December and late April.
Mount Everest, Nepal/China
Mount Everest, also known as Sagarmatha in Nepal, or Qomolangma in Tibet, is the highest mountain in the world. It's approximately 8,848 meters tall above sea level and has around 100 deaths per year because of avalanches and falling rocks. It's also very hard to climb because the weather conditions can change very quickly - too cold in winter and too hot in summer. If you want to climb this mountain, make sure you start early enough!
Carstensz Pyramid, Indonesia
This mountain is located on the island of New Guinea in Indonesia. While its height is only 4,884 meters above sea level, it's considered one of the most challenging mountains to climb because of its terrain: steep cliffs, deep valleys and glacier fields make this mountain pretty difficult to access. In addition to that, it's also surrounded by jungle which makes it very hard to find your way around. Only 50 percent of all climbers who attempted to climb it managed to do it and survive!
Nanda Devi (South Face), India/Nepal
The Nanda Devi is located in northern India at an altitude of 7,817 meters above sea level. It's considered one of the most challenging mountains to climb due to its location: it sits at the border between India and Nepal which makes it hard to access from both countries. In addition to that, there are only two routes to reach the top: the northwest face or the south face. Both of them require climbing skills so make sure you learn everything you need before starting this adventure! If you want to climb it, make sure you start early enough because the weather conditions can change very quickly - too cold in winter and too hot in summer. The expedition usually takes two months!
Kanchenjunga (South Face), Nepal/India/China
Kanchenjunga is the third highest mountain in the world. Located at the border between Nepal, India and China, it has an altitude of 8,586 meters above sea level. It's considered one of the most difficult mountains to climb because of its location, which makes it hard to access from all three countries, and its height, which can pose a real challenge to people prone to altitude sickness. The average climbing time varies between two weeks and two months.
The Bottom Line
As you can see, there are many reasons why climbing these mountains should be left for those with the courage and skills to do so. If you don't have that experience, make sure you don't risk your life.
Still, if you want to challenge yourself and fulfill your dreams of climbing the tallest (and most dangerous) mountains on Earth, you need to be well-prepared. Keep training and aim for less demanding peaks, talk with other climbers, and invest in high-quality equipment. After all, ain’t no mountain high enough!
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