Mountaineering – the art of climbing mountains. It’s as extreme as it gets, and attracts a certain type of person that is not only physically in good form, enjoys nature (and usually cold temperatures) but has the grit and determination to keep going when the going gets tough. Mountaineering isn’t easy, and it’s more than just a sport you participate in during the weekends – it’s a way of life.
The term “mountaineering” dates back to the end of the 17th century, and has its beginnings in the Alps. It’s rise as a popular activity grew, as it is a “challenge to nature itself” as well as a mode of human exploration. And as more and more people started to join in, it became considered a sport in the late 18th century, with the Alps serving as a mecca for practicing mountaineering as a sport.
Eight Thousand Mountains, With Only 40 Successful Climbers
No we are not talking about 8 thousand mountains in general, but the esteemed group of the 14 highest mountains in the world are known as “eight thousand”. Why are they referred to as the “eight thousand”? Because they are the tallest mountains in the world that exceed 8,000 meters (26,000 feet) above sea level. The 14 eight thousand are listed below, starting with the tallest:
- Everest (mount) with 8,848 m of height. Himalayas, in Tibet, Nepal
- K2 (peak) with 8,611 m height. Karakoram, in China, Pakistan
- Kangchenjunga (peak) with 8,586 m height. Himalayas, Nepal, China
- Lhotse (peak) with 8,516 m height. Himalayas, Nepal
- Makalu (peak) with 8,462 m height. Himalayas, Nepal, Tibet
- Cho Oyu (peak) with 8,201 m height. Himalayas, Nepal, Tibet
- Dhaulagiri (peak) with 8,167 m height. Himalayas, Nepal
- Manaslu (peak) with 8,163 m height. Himalayas, Nepal
- Nanga Parbat (peak) with 8,125 m height. Karakoram, Pakistan
- Annapurna (peak) with 8,091 m height. Himalayas, Nepal
- Gasherbrum I (peak) with 8,068 m height. Karakoram in China, Pakistan, India
- Broad Peak (peak) with 8,047 m of height. Karakoram, in Pakistan
- Shisha Pangma (peak) with 8,046 m height. Himalayas in Tibet
- Gasherbrum II (peak) with 8,035 m height. Karakoram in Pakistan, China
While there are many people who are on their journeys of climbing all 14 mountains, In the history of mountaineering, only 40 people have climbed all 14 eight-thousanders. It took 16 years for Italian Reinhold Messner, to climb the 14 eight-thousanders, between 1970-1986. Between 2001 and 2010, Spanish woman Edurne Pasaban was the first female to complete climbing all 14 tallest mountains in the world.
Wheelchair-Bound Man Climbed Mount Kilimanjaro – Twice
While Kilimanjaro is not one of the 8 Thousand, this dormant volcano in Tanzania is the highest in all Africa. A South African by the name of Bernard Goosen managed to climb Kilimanjaro in a modified wheelchair in 2003, which took nine days. Then, four years later in 2007, he completed his second climb in six days. Bernard Goosen was born with cerebral palsy and had a supportive team around him, and this incredible story has motivated and inspired countless people to take up the sport of mountaineering.
Kilimanjaro is a relatively low peak that does not require any special gear or experience to reach its summit. That’s not to say the trip is a walk in the park – it’s a tough hike all the way around.
Everest Is The Highest Open Grave In The World
If you are familiar with Mount Everest, you’ll most likely know this one. A more famous fact than most on this list – there is an estimated 200 bodies currently on Mount Everest, making it the world’s highest open grave. 5% of people who climb the largest above sea level mountain in the world die on the trip….meaning that nearly 300 people have died.
Getting bodies off the mountain is incredibly difficult and costly. If the body is in an accessible area, It takes between six and ten Sherpas to get a body off the mountain, and risks the lives of all included in the recovery trip. Because of that, most are lift where they took their last breath.
One of the Most Easy Mountains is Dangerous… Because of its Popularity
Matterhorn is not a difficult climb – it’s not that technical or difficult, which you would think would mean it’s not as dangerous as other mountains. One of them post popular peaks in Switzerland, it does have a rather high injury rate. Wondering why? That’s due to the massive amount of people that hike the mountain at any given time. Yep, your biggest danger of breaking bones or some other type of injury is due to tourists higher up the slopes dislodging stones, which fall down onto climbers lower down the route. Who would think!
Annapurna is the World’s Deadliest Mountain – Not Everest
While Everest might get the world record for the tallest mountain in the world, it’s been beaten by a mile when it comes to “who’s the deadliest mountain” category. That honor belongs to Annapurna, in Nepal. With 32% of mountaineers dying on the mountain, it might just make Everest look like a normal hike. Out of 252 attempts, only 191 have been successful, leaving 61 people dead from trying to reach the summit, and return alive.
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