How many peaks are there over 8000 meters in the world? This might be a normal question you are asked during your school. So what is your answer? The answer is that 14 8000 meters peaks are exists above sea level, and most of which lie in Nepal. From the beautiful Mount Everest to Deadliest Annapurna and K2, these all are above 8000 meters.
Climbing all 14 peaks above 8000 meters might be someone’s dream as well. For example, Nims Dai of Nepal scored a World Record by climbing all 14 mountains above 8000m within seven months. Like Nims Dai, hundreds and thousands of mountaineers aspire to take on the expedition to the top of all 14 mountains. But you should know proper knowledge of all of the 8000m mountains, their difficulties, and land topography. Also, the knowledge and research of routes will help you ascend to these peaks.
So here is the detailed information on all 14 mountains over 8000 meters worldwide.
Mount Everest – Nepal
Mount Everest is the most famous 8000 m peaks in the world as it stands as the tallest one on the planet. Mount Everest is 8,848 meters above sea level, and it is located in the Mahalangur mountain range, the border between Nepal and Tibet.
Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa first summitted Mount Everest on May 29, 1953. Since then, hundreds of mountaineers have conquered the Peak. Mount Everest was named after Welsh geographer Sir George Everest. In Nepal, the Peak is called ‘Sagarmatha,’ which means ‘Goddess of the Sky,’ and the Tibetan name of Mount Everest is ‘Chomolungma,’ which means ‘Goddess Mother of the Universe.’
The famous route for climbing Mount Everest is the South Col Route. The cost of climbing the leading Peak amongst 14 8000 peaks worldwide is around $39,850 in Spring. Similarly, it costs around $58,450 per person during the Autumn season. The basic cost of the Spring and Autumn seasons are around $19,450 and $38,450 per person.
K2 (Godwin Austen) – Pakistan
Mount K2 is the second tallest mountain peaks over 8000m in the world, which stands 8,611 meters above sea level. The mountain is also known as Godwin-Austen or Chhogori. It is located in the Karakoram mountain range on the border between Pakistan and China.
The mountain was named ‘K2’ in 1856 after British officials surveyed it. Since the Peak was the second Peak they surveyed in the Karakoram Mountain Range, they called it ‘K2.’ ‘Chhogori,’ the local name for Mount K2, means ‘King of Mountains.’
Lino Lacedelli and Achille Compagnoni were the first to climb Mount K2 on July 31, 1954. The team was led by Italian mountaineer Ardito Desio. Since then, the success rate of K2 has been only 27%, which is 190 successful climbs out of 700 attempts. Similarly, it is the deadliest mountain, with a high fatality rate of 25%.
The Abruzzi Spur route is the most famous route to climb Mount K2. It was named after Prince Luigi Amedeo, Duke of Abruzzi, who attempted the summit in 1909.
Kangchenjunga – Nepal
Mount Kanchenjunga comes third amongst the 14 peaks above 8000 meters. It has a towering height of 8,586 meters above sea level, 28,169 feet. This mountain stands as one of the prominent figures in the Himalayan range on the border between Nepal and India.
One of the most exciting facts about Mount Kanchenjunga is that it comprises five peaks. Kanchenjunga is the main Peak of these collections and the highest point in India. In Limbu culture, the word Kanchenjunga means ‘Five Treasures of Snow,’ and it is worshiped as God by the local people.
Joe Brown and George Band were the first to step on top of Kanchenjunga on May 25, 1955. It is also one of the most dangerous mountains above 8000 meters, with a fatality rate of 12.7%. As of now, climbing to Kanchenjunga is prohibited due to its religious and cultural values. The Indian government banned the entire expeditions around Kanchenjunga in 2000 and has been closed since then.
Lhotse – Nepal
Of all 14 8000m peaks, Mount Lhotse is the fourth highest. It is also the fourth mountains over 8000m in the world, with an elevation of 27,940 feet (8,516 meters) above sea level. The Peak belongs to the Himalayan mountain range on the border of Nepal and Tibet.
In the Tibetan language, the word ‘Lhotse’ means ‘South Peak’ as it lies on the south side of Mount Everest. The Peak partially follows the same route as Mount Everest – climbers have to take Everest’s South Col route up to the Yellow Band beyond Camp 3. Everest climbers diverge from the left to Geneva Spur, while Lhotse climbers trace their route to the Lhotse Face.
Ernst Reiss and Fritz Luchsinger from the Swiss Expedition Team were the first to climb Mount Lhotse on May 18, 1956. Lhotse is also one of the easiest 8000m mountain to climb, with a success rate of 67%. Reports also show that around 25% of climbers summit this Peak without oxygen. Lhotse is also often climbed by those attempting to summit Mount Everest, as the two mountains share a standard route up to a certain point.
Makalu – Nepal
Mount Makalu, without a doubt, is one of the most famous mountains above 8000m in world as it is the fifth-highest Peak with an elevation of 27,838 feet (8,485 meters) above sea level. It belongs to the Mahalangur Himalayan Range on the border of Nepal and Tibet.
Mount Makalu’s name was derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Maha Kala,’ which refers to Lord Shiva and translates to ‘Big Black.’ It is located in the Makalu Barun National Park and Conservation Area, a restricted area – thus, you will need a permit to go on for the Makalu Expedition.
Mount Makalu is also recognized for its distinct pyramid shape and four-sided ridges.
The first ascent to Makalu was led by Lionel Terray and Jean Couzy on a French expedition on May 15, 1955. Southeast Ridge and Northwest Ridge are the most popular routes for Mount Makalu expeditions. It features icy crevasses and steep and slippery land topography, which makes the climb challenging. To this date, Mount Makalu has registered 206 successful ascents, with 22 fatalities in total.
Cho Oyu – Nepal
One of the 14 8000 meter peaks in the world, most lie in Nepal, and Mount Cho Oyu is one of them. It is the sixth tallest mountain peaks over 8000m in the world and has a height of 8,188 meters above sea level. Cho Oyu is located in the Mahalangur Mountain range in Nepal and Tibet and is the westernmost major Peak of the Khumbu region.
In Tibetan, Cho Oyu means ‘Turquoise Goddess’ – they say the mountain resembles a turquoise goddess lying on her back. In terms of climbing, Mount Cho Oyu is the easiest 8000 meter mountain to climb. Three climbers, Herbert Tichy, Joseph Jöchler, and Sherpa Pasang Dawa Lama, were the first to climb Mount Cho Oyu on October 19, 1954.
Cho Oyu is located near Mount Everest and Lhotse, and climbers often attempt to climb all three mountains in a single expedition.
Dhaulagiri – Nepal
Mount Dhaulagiri is one of the most alluring peaks among 14 8000m peaks around the world. It is the seventh-highest mountain in the world, with an elevation of 26,795 feet (8,167 meters) above sea level. It is located in the Dhaulagiri Himalayas in north-central Nepal.
Dhaulagiri comprises two words; Dhawala and Giri, where Dhawala means dazzling, white beautiful, and Giri means mountain. It is thus called ‘White Mountain.’
The first ascent to the Peak of Dhaulagiri was led by Kurt Diemberger, Peter Diener, Ernst Forrer, Albin Schelbert, Nawang Dorje, and Nima Dorje on May 13, 1960. To date, the success rate of this Peak is 60%, while the fatality rate is around 15.6%.
Most mountaineers use the Northeast Ridge Route to climb the Peak – usually, they set about 4 Camps before the top of the mountain.
Manaslu – Nepal
Manaslu is the eighth tallest mountains over 8000m in the world, with a height of 8,163 meters (26,781 feet) above sea level. It sits in the Mansiri Mountain range in the Gorkha District of Nepal.
‘Manaslu’ is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Manasa,’ which means intellect or soul. The etymological meaning of Manaslu means ‘Mountain of the Spirit.’
Manaslu was first climbed by the Japanese Expedition team of T. Imanishi and Gyalzen Norbu on May 9, 1956. Until 1971, the Peak remained unclimbed; however, in 1971, another Japanese expedition team made their summit. The Peak was climbed by Charlie Mace, who registered the first American expedition success in Dhaulagiri in 1997.
The first successful ascent of Manaslu was made by a Japanese expedition led by Toshio Imanishi and Gyalzen Norbu on May 9, 1956. In the Spring season, the success rate of Manaslu is around 30%, while the success rate is elevated to 80% in the Autumn season. Climbing Manaslu peak can cost you anywhere from $12,500 to $15,000.
Despite its high altitude and difficulties, Manaslu is one of the fascinating peaks for climbers. The journey to Manaslu is thrilling with the picturesque mountains, forests, and landscapes.
Nanga Parbat – Pakistan
Nanga Parbat is located in the Kashmir region of Pakistan and lies in the western Himalayas mountain range. It stands at a towering height of 8,126 meters (26,660 feet) above sea level. Similarly, the mountain has a steep icy wall that measures 4,600 meters from the valley, and the north side measures around 7,000 meters from the Indus River.
In the Pakistani Urdu language, Nanga Parbat means ‘Naked Mountain.’ It is one of the most dangerous mountains above 8000m in world as it features a rose sheer, almost like a vertical face. Rupal Face is a widely recognized landmark of Nanga Parbat; it is also one of the largest rock faces in the world.
Nanga Parbat was first climbed by an Austrian climber named Hermann Buhl on July 3, 1953. So far, the total number of attempts made to the top of this mountain is 287; however, 64 mountaineers have already lost their lives. Despite its difficulty, it is one of the most popular climbing destinations for experienced climbers. Along the rugged terrain, steep and icy routes will make your climb adventurous, while the stunning views of other Himalayan Peaks will be worth your money.
Annapurna I – Nepal
Mount Annapurna I is called the ‘Deadliest Mountain’ because of its life-threatening ridges and physical build. It is ranked tenth in the list of the highest 14 peaks above 8000 meters, and it lies in the Annapurna range with a height of 8,091 m (26,545 feet) above sea level. It also has its sister peaks, including Annapurna II (7,937 meters), Annapurna III (7,555 meters), and Annapurna IV (7,525 meters)
Mount Annapurna was named after the Hindu Goddess Annapurna, the goddess of food and nourishment. In the Sanskrit language, ‘Anna’ means ‘Food’ and ‘Purna’ means ‘Filled,’ and it comes to be related as this mountain range offers downline streams for agriculture and survival in the lower nearby areas.
Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachena were the first climbers to summit Mount Annapurna on June 3, 1950. Since then, hundreds of attempts have been made to climb the Peak. Remember, Annapurna is called Deadliest Mountain for nothing; the survival ratio is 3 to 1, and the fatality rate of this mountain is 32 percent.
Gasherbrum I – Pakistan
Mount Gasherbrum I is the 11th tallest Peak in the world, which is situated in Pakistan. It falls under the Karakoram Mountain Range of the Himalayas and stands at 8,080 meters above sea level. Gasherbrum was coined after the Balti words rgasha and brum, which mean ‘beautiful’ and ‘mountain’ respectively.
Gasherbrum I was first climbed by the American Expedition team led by Nicholas B. Clinch. Along with him, Pete Schoening and Andy Kauffman were part of the accompanying team of eight on July 5, 1958. Gasherbrum I was first called K5 by T.G. Montgomerie in 1856. Reports mentioned that he saw this Peak from around 200 km away while leading the Great Trigonometric Survey of India.
The most popular route to the top of this mountain is Gasherbrum La. Nevertheless, it is considered one of the technically challenging mountains to climb. It poses significant risks and challenges, including altitude sickness, extreme weather conditions, and technical difficulties.
Broad Peak – Pakistan
Broad Peak is also one of the mountains above 8000m in world from Pakistan. It is the 12th highest Peak in the world, with a height of 8,047 meters above sea level. It is situated in the Karakoram Mountains range of the Himalayas, which is between Pakistan and China.
Fritz Wintersteller, Marcus Schmuck, Kurt Diemberger, and Hermann Buhl first stepped in at the top of Broad Peak under Austrian Expeditions between June 8 and 9, 1957. The difficulty level of Broad Peak is moderately difficult, and the fatality rate is 7%.
There are around ten routes to the top of Mount Broad Peak; however, not all are used precisely.
Routes from Askole and Gondogoro Pass are the famous ones most climbers have used.
Gasherbrum II – Pakistan
The 13th on the list of 14 peaks above 8000 meters is Gasherbrum II – the 13th highest mountain in the world. It belongs to the Karakoram Range of the Himalayas, located between Pakistan and China. The height of Gasherbrum II is 8,035 meters (26,362 feet).
On August 3, 1981, the Swiss Expedition team of Romolo Nottaris and Tiziano Zünd made the first ascent to the top of Gasherbrum II. There are multiple routes to the summit of the mountain. However, the Southwest Ridge Route is the most used. Nevertheless, this route is technically challenging and involves steep ice and mixed climbing.
By 2012, around 930 successful ascents were made at Gasherbrum II, while 21 climbers died on the verge of the summit.
Shisha Pangma – China
Shisha Pangma is the only Peak in China above 8000 meters above sea level. It stands at a decent height of 8,013 meters and is the fourteenth tallest Peak in the world. In terms of location, Shisha Pangma is just 5 kilometers away from the border of Nepal – it lies in south-central Tibet. It consists of three peaks, the main one and the other two, with an elevation of 8,008 and 7,966 meters.
The Tibetan meaning of Shisha Pangma is ‘The God of the Grasslands.’ Shisha means ‘comb,’ and Pangma means ‘grassy plain.’ People also refer to Shisha as the ‘meat of an animal that died of natural causes’ and Pangma as ‘malt dregs leftover from brewing beer.’ Local history sites say that heavy snowfall killed most of the animals in this region, and people had nothing to eat for their survival except the meat of dead animals and malt dregs. This is how Shisha Pangma was named.
Shisha Pangma was first climbed by the Chinese Expedition team, led by Xǔ Jìng, on May 2, 1964. The fatality rate of Shisha Pangma is 8.4%, and by 2000, only 434 people had successfully conquered the top of the Peak.
This Peak is also a symbol of luck according to the Tibetan Dialects. People believe that Shisha Pangma has protected Tibet for millennia.
Conclusion
Fourteen peaks in the world over 8000 meters are not only beautiful perks but are challenging in terms of physicality and mentality. These 14 peaks lie between the Karakoram range of Pakistan and Tibet, bordering the Himalayas of Nepal. They have their own local cultural significance; some even have religious values and are banned from climbing.
These are all the things that climbers should put under the preparation session. They should know how many mountains over 8000m are there along with the routes, difficulties, and time of year when leading the expedition.
Despite the challenges, it comes out to be a matter of pride for mountaineers, and they continue to be drawn to seek the thrill and adventure of high-altitude mountaineering.
