Yes there are awesome views and nothing can beat the personal achievement and the rush of adrenaline but mountain climbers can also encounter harsh snowstorms, life-threatening injuries and maybe even death! And yet adventure travellers have that determined temptation to climb the next mountain, pushing on to bigger and better, is so intense. These are the 5 mountains that are considered to be the most dangerous in the world;
Annapurna, Nepal – The innocent sounding ‘Goddess of the Harvest’ is anything but innocent! The first ascent was undertaken in 1950 and just 130 people have ever climbed Annapurna, which stands at 8,091 meters (26,545 feet). Unfortunately 53 people have died trying to scale the peak which gives Annapurna a shocking 40% death rate.
K2, Pakistan & China – ‘The Savage Mountain’, aka K2 in the Karakoram range, is the second highest mountain in the world at 8,611 meters (28,251 feet) tall. And thanks to steep rock faces, fragile ice pillars and treacherous glaciers, this is one of the most dangerous mountains on earth – in fact one in five climbers who have tried to reach the summit have died.
Kanchenjunga, Nepal & India – ‘The Five Treasures of Snows’ sounds pretty and alluring yet Kanchenjunga has an alarmingly high fatality rate, reportedly as high as 22% during the last few years. Many have tried to tackle the 8,586 meter (28,169 feet) mountain, which is the third highest peak in the world, but are battled by avalanches and treacherous weather systems. First ascended by a British team in 1955 Kanchenjunga is revered by the Sikkim people who respectfully do not climb the last few feet.
The Eiger, Switzerland – Standing at some 3,970 meters (13,025 feet) The Eiger in the Bernese Alps has been a regular draw for climbers since 1938. The North face, ‘Nordwand’, is the route of choice and is particularly difficult and dangerous to climb and is also nicknamed the ‘Mordwand’ – the ‘Murder Wall’!
Nanga Parbat, Pakistan – The ninth highest mountain in the world and certainly one of the most dangerous if Nanga Parbat which stands at 8,126 meters (26,660 feet). It is technically difficult and the ascent path is a very narrow ridge. The south side, Rupal face, is actually the biggest mountain face on the planet and is also known as ‘The Man Eater’!
