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These are some of the world's most stunning and dangerous mountain peaks
From Half Dome to Everest, these famous peaks are both stunning and dangerous for climbers.
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Where: Pakistan
Elevation: 8,051 metres
Broad Peak is the world’s 12th highest mountain, located in the Karakoram range in northern Pakistan, and is regarded as one of the toughest and most technical climbs of all the 8,000-metre-plus ascents.
A view of Broad Peak, world's twelfth tallest mountain in the Karakoram range of Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, July 14, 2023. (Joe Stenson/AFP via Getty Images)
The first known ascent of Broad Peak took place June 8-9, 1957, by Austrian climbers Fritz Wintersteller, Marcus Schmuck, Kurt Diemberger, and Hermann Buhl.
Porters and foreign trekkers move with mules towards the Concordia camping site in front of Broad Peak (left) and Gasherbrum IV (right) at Baltoro glacier in the Karakoram range of Pakistan's mountain northern Gilgit region, Aug. 14, 2019. (Amelie Herenstein/AFP via Getty Images)
Broad Peak is prone to unpredictable weather and severe avalanche risks.
On July 30, 2026, 10 people were killed, including legendary Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja, after an avalanche struck the mountain as the group headed toward the summit.
A garlanded portrait of deceased mountaineer Nirmal Purja is seen at his home in Chitwan on Aug. 3, 2026, after his demise in an avalanche on Pakistan's Broad Peak. (Prakash Mathema / AFP via Getty Images)
Where: Pakistan and China
Elevation: 8,611 metres
The second highest mountain in the world, sometimes known as Mount Godwin-Austen or Chogori, it's considered more deadly than Everest.
Shawn O'Fallon of Anchorage, Alaska, climbs the North Ridge of K2 in the Xinjiang Province of China during the summer of 2000. (AP Photo/John Heilprin)
The first mountaineers to reach the summit were Italian climbers Achille Compagnoni and Lino Lacedelli on July 31, 1954. It was summited a second time 23 years later.
A Pakistani porter looks toward K2, world's second tallest mountain in the Karakoram range of GilgitBaltistan, Pakistan, July 15, 202. (Joe Stenson/AFP via Getty Images)
It is nicknamed the ‘Savage Mountain’ for its treacherous conditions and high death rate, which at once point was reportedly as high as 25 per cent. In 2008, 11 mountaineers died following an avalanche.
The view from Camp One, at nearly 20,000-feet on North Ridge of K2 in the Xinjiang Province of China is seen during the summer of 2000. (AP Photo/John Heilprin)
Where: Pakistan
Elevation: 8,162 metres
Nanga Parbat, also known as Diamer, is the ninth highest mountain in the world, and located in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
A view of snow covered Nanga Parbat, which is the ninth-highest mountain in the world, named King of the Mountains by inhabitants and known as the Killer Mountain by climbers, in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan on Nov. 23, 2022. (Muhammed Semih Ugurlu/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
The south Rupal Face is considered the highest mountain face in the world. The first successful summit was on July 3, 1953, by Austrian climber Hermann Buhl. The second ascent occurred in 1962.
Nanga Parbat, the ninth highest mountain in the world, is seen in Pakistan's northern area, May 4, 2004. (AP Photo/Musaf Zaman Kazmi)
It is nicknamed the ‘Killer Mountain’ due to its extreme difficulty and death rate of around 22 per cent.
The snow-capped mountain of Nanga Parbat is seen in northern Pakistan in this undated photo. (AP Photo/Musaf Zaman Kazmi)
Where: Switzerland and Italy
Elevation: 4,478 metres
Located the Pennine Alps, Matterhorn isn’t the tallest mountain but it’s one of the most photographed in the world with its pyramid shape.
Gondolas go up next to the Matterhorn in Zermatt, Switzerland, Thursday, Dec.3, 2020. (AP Photo/Jamey Keaten)
The first Matterhorn ascent occurred by a group on July 14, 1865 led by Edward Whymper, but a fall during the descent claimed four lives.
A view of the Matterhorn from Zermatt, Switzerland, July 13, 2005 in Zermatt, Switzerland. (AP Photo/Randall Hackley)
Matterhorn is a highly technical climb that involves a high level of fitness and advanced mountaineering skills.
The Matterhorn mountain is seen behind flags of different countries as strong wind blows by the course of an alpine ski, men's World Cup downhill race after it was cancelled, in Cervinia-Zermatt, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. (AP Photo/Marco Trovati)
Where: Nepal
Elevation: 8,091 metres
Located in the Annapurna mountain range in the Himalayas, Annapurna mountain is the tenth highest peak in the world, but is considered one the deadliest due to its high fatality rate.
A man sits on a plastic chair at Annapurna Basecamp and looks at snow-covered mountain peaks above a layer of clouds, April 22, 2026. (Elisa Schu/picture alliance via Getty Images)
The peak was first summited on June 3, 1950, by French climbers Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal, which was also the first-ever climb of an 8,000+ metre peak.
U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres visits Annapurna base camp, around 3,230 metres above sea level, near Mount Everest in Nepal, Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023. (AP Photo/Yunish Gurung)
It’s 3,000 metre south face is considered one of the hardest climbs in the world. In 2014, a snowstorm within the Annapurna circuit killed at least 43 people.
Trekkers stand in front of the Gangapurna Glacier on the Annapurna Circuit, Nepal, Oct. 15, 2029. (Leisa Tyler/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Annapurna Base Camp in Nepal, Dec. 15, 2016. (Devilkae/iStockphoto/Getty Images)
Where: Peru
Elevation: 6,344
Located in the Peruvian Andes, Siula Grande is considered an extremely difficult climb with only about 15-20 documented ascents in history.
The Nevado Rasac and the Nevado Siula Grande, peaks of the Cordillera Huayhuash, Andes, Peru. (DeAgostini/Getty Images)
Austrian climbers Arnold Awerzger and Erwin Schneider first reached the summit on July 28, 1936. A harrowing expedition in 1985 became the topic of a best-selling book, ‘Touching the Void.’
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(andeanascents)
Where: Nepal and India
Elevation: 8,586 metres
Kangchenjunga is the third highest mountain in the world after Mount Everest and K2.
Light from a sunrise is cast on mountain Kangchenjunga near Darjeeling (bottom) on Dec. 11, 2017. (S Majumder/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
It is known as ‘Five Treasures of Snow’ for its five peaks and is known for hazardous conditions and extreme weather.
Kangchenjunga as seen from Pang Pema, Nepal, Oct. 28, 2009. (Tomabarker / Wikimedia Commons)
Kangchenjunga was first summited on May 25, 1955, by British climbers George Band and Joe Brown, while the second ascent the next day. Hundreds of people have reached the top of that mountain since then.
Kangchenjunga seen from Nepal base, April 4, 2015. (Danielvandermaas / Wikimedia Commons)
Where: Alaska
Elevation: 6,190 metres
Denali, also known as Mount McKinley, is the highest mountain peak in North America.
North America's tallest peak, on Aug. 12, 2025, in Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)
The first unverified ascent took place in 1906, while the first verified ascent occurred on June 7, 1913, by climbers Hudson Stuck, Harry Karstens, Walter Harper and Robert Tatum.
Sightseeing buses and tourists are seen at a pullout popular for taking in views of North America's tallest peak, Denali, in Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska, Aug. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)
Disasters: In 1967, seven climbers died in a super blizzard, and three climbers were killed and one injured on Denali in May 2026. Thousands of people have climbed Denali, and the death rate is 3.08/1,000 summit attempts.
A boat is seen on the Susitna River near Talkeetna, Alaska, on Sunday, June 13, 2021, with Denali in the background. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)
Where: France and Italy
Elevation: 4,808 metres
Located on the French and Italian border, Mont Blanc is known for having the highest mountain peak in the Alps.
Mont Blanc, western Europe's highest mountain, as seen from the French side, Feb. 19, 2003. (AP Photo/Patrick Gardin)
Mont Blanc is a physically demanding trek, and climbers should acclimatize for several days before attempting the climb.
An alpinist heads down a ridge on the Aiguille du Midi toward the Vallee Blanche on the Mont Blanc massif, in the Alps, near Chamonix, France, Oct. 12, 2011. (AP Photo/David Azia)
Mont Blanc claims roughly 100 lives per year due to falls, frequent avalanches, altitude sickness and unpredictable weather.
A competitor runs at the Grand Col Ferret as he competes in the 170km Ultra-Trail of Mont-Blanc (UTMB) race, near Courmayeur, Italy, Saturday, Sept 1, 2018. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)
Competitors run as they compete in the 170km Ultra-Trail of Mont-Blanc (UTMB) race, near Chamonix, French Alps, Sunday, Sept 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)
Where: Nepal
Elevation: 8,167 metres
Dhaulagiri is the seventh highest mountain in the world, also known as ‘White Mountain.’
View of Dhaulagiri from aircraft an aircraft in Nepal, April 27, 2011.(Sergey Ashmarin / Wikimedia Commons)
Dhaulagiri was first summited on May 13, 1960, by Swiss, Austrian and Nepali teams. It is known for steep slopes and severe weather, making climbing the mountain very demanding.
Dhaulagiri view from Poon Hill at sunrise, March 24, 2016. (Raphael Duprat / Wikimedia Commons)
The death rate is approximately 15 per cent, with avalanches, unstable ice, altitude sickness and fatigue key dangers when climbing this mountain.
On April 28, 1969, an ice avalanche claimed seven lives, and several other climbers also died that year, making it the deadliest on record. In October 2024, five Russian climbers fell during a summit push and died.
Trekkers view the sweeping sunrise view of the central Himalayas from Poon Hill, above the village of Ghorepani, in central Nepal, Friday, Oct. 24, 2014. The Dhaulagiri Range is on the left and the Annapurna Range is on the right. (AP Photo/Malcolm Foster)
Where: China
Elevation: 7,556 metres
Mount Gongga, also known as Minya Gonkar or 'King of Sichuan Mountains', is located in the remote Daxue Shan mountain range, and is one of the most dangerous peaks to reach.
Golden sun rays shine over Mount Gongga on Dec. 1, 2024 in Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province of China. (Yang Haiyong/VCG via Getty Images)
The first ascent on Gongga occurred on October 28, 1932, by American climbers Terris Moore and Richard Burdsall, but it was closed off to foreign climbers from 1957-1980
The west face peak of Mount Gongga in SiChuan, China on Jan. 2. 2014. (xin.tang / Wikimedia Commons)
Only about two dozen people have summited Gongga’s peak, and more than 30 people have died trying. In 1957, six Chinese climbers reached the summit but four died on the way down.
Golden sun rays shine over the snow-capped Mount Gongga on Nov. 8, 2025 in Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province of China. (VCG/VCG via Getty Images)
Where: New Hampshire, U.S.
Elevation: 6,288 metres
The first recorded summit of Mount Washington occurred in June 1964 by British colonist Darby Field and two unnamed Native American guides.
Mount Washington dominates the scene in this view of the business district in the village of North Conway, N.H., Thursday, April 13, 2023. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
It is a difficult climb known for extreme wind and weather conditions, and held a world record wind speed of 371 kph for more than 60 years, according to Mount Washington Observatory.
The summit of New Hampshire's Mount Washington, Monday, Jan. 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
More than 160 people have died on Mount Washington caused by falls, extreme weather and hypothermia.
The snow-covered slopes of Mount Washington catch the first light of dawn about 18 miles north of North Conway, N.H., Monday, April 23, 2018. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
Where: Nepal
Elevation: 8,163 metres
Manaslu, or ‘mountain of the spirit’, is the eighth highest mountain in the world and about 64 kilometres east of Annapurna.
View of Manaslu from base camp in Nepal, Oct. 15, 2006). (Ben Tubby / Wikimedia Commons)
The first ascent on Manaslu occurred on May 9, 1956, by Japanese climbers Toshio Imanishi and Gyalzen Norbu, and thousands of people have climbed it since then.
Beautiful reflection of Manaslu range nearby the lake at Bhimthang during evening time in Nepal, Oct. 22. 2019. (Samdesherpa / Wikimedia Commons)
Manaslu is for experienced mountaineers as it is prone to extreme weather conditions and avalanches. Alternatively, climbers can trek the Manaslu Circuit, a 175-kilometre high-altitude trail around the mountain and crosses Larkya La Pass.
A bird soars across the sky as Himalchuli Mountain, at the center, and the Manaslu Mountain range are seen from a hill on the outskirts of Kathmandu, Nepal, during International Mountain Day, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
Where: Argentina
Elevation: 6,962 metres
Aconcagua is the South America’s highest peak in the world and located in the Andes mountain range.
The morning sun lights up the Aconcagua mountain in Las Heras, Argentina, Tuesday, May 3, 2016. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)
The first recorded summit occurred on January 14, 1897 Swiss guide Matthias Zurbriggen as part of a British expedition, and has since been climbed countless times, as it is part of the famous Seven Summits challenge.
Mules carry supplies to the base camp of the Aconcagua, the tallest mountain above sea level of the Andes mountain range which traverses the length of South America on Jan. 2, 2024 in Mendoza province, Argentina. (Christopher Pillitz/Getty Images)
While it has a climbing success rate of 30-40 per cent, Aconcagua is still dangerous due to high altitude, extreme and unpredictable weather and exhaustion.
Mariano Arias pushes Joshep Sumer's wheelchair, accompanied by Sumer's wife Marie Claire, during a visit to the Aconcagua National park in Las Heras, Argentina, May 3, 2016. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)
Where: California
Elevation: 2,682 metres
Half Dome at Yosemite National Park is known for its distinct shape and 13 kilometres cable route where climbers hold onto fixed metal cables for the last 122 metres to reach the summit.
Half Dome and Yosemite Valley are seen in a view from Glacier Point at Yosemite National Park, Calif., August 2011. (AP Photo/Tracie Cone)
Half Dome was first summited in October 1875 by climber George Anderson and is since climbed by tens of thousands of people each year, but fatalities do occur.
Hikers descend the cable route after climbing to the summit of Half Dome, in Yosemite National Park. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
Half Dome is a strenuous and extremely steep climb that takes approximately 12-16 hours out and back. Climbers could face dehydration, exhaustion, slips and falls.
Hikers gather in the foreground as climbers use the assistance of cables to scale Half Dome in Yosemite National Park National Park in California's Sierra Nevada, July 15, 2014. (AP Photo/Brian Melley)
Where: Nepal and China
Elevation: 8,848.86 metres
Mount Everest, located in the Himalayas between Nepal and Tibet, boasts the highest peak on earth.
Mount Everest is seen, center left, from base camp in Nepal, Sunday, May 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Pasang Rinzee Sherpa)
Thousands of people have climbed the peak since it was first scaled on May 29, 1953, by New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Sherpa guide Tenzing Norgay.
Mountaineers participate in a training session at the Khumbu Icefall as they prepare for their ascent to the summit of Mount Everest, Nepal, Saturday, May 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Pasang Rinzee Sherpa)
More than 300 people have died on Everest during both the ascent and descent, and approximately 200 bodies remain on the mountain. High altitude and treacherous conditions make recovery efforts extreme dangerous.
Mountaineers ascend Khumbu Icefall on their way to the summit of Mount Everest in Kathmandu, Nepal, Saturday, May 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Pasang Rinzee Sherpa)
Concerns have been raised about overcrowding on the mountain during spring climbing season. There were more than 1,000 successful summits during the spring of 2026.
A long queue of mountain climbers line a path on Mount Everest, May 22, 2019. (Nirmal Purja/@Nimsdai Project Possible via AP)
Mountaineers ascend Khumbu Icefall on their way to the summit of Mount Everest, Nepal, Thursday, May 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Pasang Rinzee Sherpa)
Snow covers tents during a period of inclement weather at the Everest Base Camp, Nepal, Saturday, May 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Pasang Rinzee Sherpa)