7 Toughest Mountains to Climb

Mountaineering is considered one of the extreme sport activities. It is not easy to climb those rough edges and there is always a danger lurking around you. Many people have lost their lives to this activity. So, why do people still continue doing this activity? It’s for thrill, excitement and for the feel of danger. Some mountains are easy to climb whereas some are tough. Let’s have a look at the 10 toughest mountains to climb.

1. K2: 
K2 lies between Pakistan and China and it is known as the second highest mountain of the world. It is also known as the toughest mountain to climb. It has the height of 8611m and to climb that height is not an easy feat. After reaching certain altitude, people will start to feel oxygen deprivation. This mountain has been nicknamed as the “Savage Mountain”. This nickname itself speaks a lot. Many people have died in their quest to reach its peaks. This is due to its rough and steep path along with its cold and very unpredictable weather. The climbers tend to die when they are about descend the mountain rather than when they are climbing it. Another interesting fact about this mountain is that it is rumored to have been cursed for women.

2. Nanga Parbat: 
Nanga Parbat is another mountain in this list whose altitude is higher than 8000m. It lies in Pakistan and has the height of 8125m. It has been lovingly named as “Man eater” and “Killing Mountain”. The reason behind such names is its high mortality rate. It is mountain made of ice and rock. When it comes to technical difficulty, it comes in par with K2, which is the toughest mountain to climb. Now, you can imagine what it must be like to climb it.

3. Fitz Roy: 
Sometimes when people say “Beauty kills”, then you should believe it. This saying is proved by the Fitz Roy mountain. Your breath will be hitched when you look at it. But, behind its striking beauty lies the story of numerous deaths. It lies in Pantagonia and its height is about one third of Mount Everest. But, do not make the mistake of underestimating it because of its height. It provides high technical difficulties to the climbers. On top of that it is located in a very isolated place and has extremely volatile weather.

4. Kangchenjunga: 
With growing mountaineering techniques and safety measures, people tend to think that it is easy to climb mountains these days. This is the truth regarding many mountains except for Kanchenjunga. No matter how many advanced techniques or safety measures are used, the death toll seen in this mountain is increasing rather than decreasing. It is 8586m high and lies between Nepal and India. The reason why this mountain has claimed many lives are its avalanches and totally unpredictable weather.

5. Annapurna: 
This mountain lies in Nepal and is 8091m high. A total collection of series of peaks are named as Annapurna but, when people say they want to climb Annapurna, then they are referring to the highest peak in that series. This mountain has claimed a large number of lives and is referred to as one of the dangerous mountains. But, with the use of advanced mountaineering techniques and safety measures, the mortality rate has gone down a little.

It isn’t the mountains ahead to climb that wear you out; it’s the pebble in your shoe.

6. The Matterhorn: 
This mountain is a Swiss icon. It lies between Switzerland and Italy and is 4478m high. Despite its low height, it has been able to claim hundreds of lives. The reason for this is the unexpected avalanches and rockfall, high technical difficulties and overcrowding of the climbing route. It is hard to believe that overcrowding is one of the causes of high death rates but, it is the truth.

7. Baintha Brakk: 
Baintha Brakk is also known as “The Ogre”. It is located in Pakistan and is 7285m high. It is known as one of the toughest mountains to climb because of its history and dangerous climb. Even though one batch of climbers was victorious to climb it in 1971, no one dared to climb it until 2001. The reason behind this was that, the first climb was so difficult and dangerous that no one had the guts to think about climbing it. Its altitude, steepness and granite terrain are the reasons of its reign of terror.

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