5 Most Dangerous Mountains for Climbers
For mountain climbers, these towering landforms bring excitement and challenge at the same time. Some mountains, however, are so challenging they could put even the most experienced climbers to submission, especially if they are not careful enough.
Here are some of the most dangerous mountains to climbers.
Annapurna (pictured) – The tenth highest mountain, located in north-central Nepal along the Himalayas, has 30 peaks. The highest of which, the Annapurna I, stands at 8,091 meters (26,545 feet). Since man set foot to this mountain complex in 1950, over 130 climbers have conquered the Annapurna I, while 53 have died trying. This high fatality rate makes Annapurna the most dangerous among the eight-thousanders (mountain peaks with over 8,000 meters in elevation).
K2 – The second highest mountain has long been known among climbers as one of the most difficult to conquer. For every four people who have reached the summit, one has died trying. The challenges the K2 brings include crossing a complicated glacier, climbing through steep sections of rock, and weaving through a path around a series of ice pillars that can collapse without warning, and that is while traversing the “easy” route.
Nanga Parbat – The ninth highest peak, located within the Pakistan side of the Himalayas, competes with K2 when it comes to difficulty. To get to the summit, climbers would have to conquer a narrow ridge, which has earned it the nickname “The Man Eater.” Also, the southern side of Nanga Parbat is the largest mountain face on earth. The Rupal Face stands 4,600 meters (15,090 feet) above the base.
Kangchenjunga – The third highest mountain peak in the world is so challenging, its fatality rate remain constant compared to other “deadly” mountains. Death rates within the Kangchenjunga, located between India and Nepal, have reached as high as 22 percent in recent years. Climbers should watch out for avalanches and weather hazards that continue to plague this majestic mountain.
The Eiger – The only non-Himalayan mountain on the list, the Eiger of the Swiss Alps stands at a mere 3,970 meters (13,020 feet), but do not let that short elevation fool you. The northern face of this peak, called Nordwand, is a stuff of legend among climbers. This section of the mount continues to challenge climbers of all abilities due to its technical difficulties, not to mention the heavy rockfall bound to rake every climber’s face.
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