Journey through the most significant climbing attempts that shaped mountaineering history
The first British expedition to Everest, this reconnaissance mission mapped the approaches to the mountain and established the northern route through Tibet. The team reached 23,000 feet and laid the groundwork for future attempts.
George Mallory and Andrew Irvine made their final summit attempt on June 8, 1924, disappearing into the clouds near the summit. The mystery of whether they reached the top before perishing remains one of mountaineering's greatest unsolved puzzles.
Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay became the first confirmed climbers to reach the summit of Mount Everest on May 29, 1953. This expedition marked the beginning of the modern era of Everest climbing and made both men international heroes.
Doug Scott and Dougal Haston successfully climbed the challenging Southwest Face, considered one of the most difficult routes on Everest at the time.
Reinhold Messner completed the first solo ascent of Everest without supplemental oxygen, pushing the boundaries of what was thought humanly possible and establishing new standards for alpine-style climbing.
Achille Compagnoni and Lino Lacedelli reached the summit of K2 on July 31, 1954, making it the second eight-thousander to be climbed after Annapurna.
The deadliest season in K2 history, with 13 climbers losing their lives. Despite the tragedies, several successful summits were achieved, highlighting both the mountain's allure and its deadly nature.
A serac collapse in the Bottleneck killed 11 climbers, making it one of the worst disasters in K2 history and highlighting the mountain's objective dangers.
Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal became the first to summit an 8000-meter peak, climbing Annapurna in Nepal. The expedition came at great personal cost, with severe frostbite injuries.
Don Whillans and Dougal Haston successfully climbed the formidable South Face of Annapurna, one of the most challenging walls in the Himalayas.
The fourteen peaks above 8,000 meters represent the ultimate challenge in mountaineering. All located in the Himalayas and Karakoram ranges, these giants have claimed hundreds of lives while inspiring thousands of climbers.
The ultimate mountaineering goal, Everest attracts climbers from around the world. Despite commercialization concerns, it remains a formidable challenge requiring months of preparation.
Considered the most difficult of the eight-thousanders, K2 has the highest fatality rate and most unpredictable weather. No successful winter ascent until 2021.
The third highest peak, Kangchenjunga is revered as sacred. Climbers traditionally stop short of the true summit out of respect for local beliefs.
Connected to Everest by the South Col, Lhotse shares much of the same route. The Lhotse Face is one of the most challenging sections of the Everest climb.
Known for its perfect pyramid shape, Makalu is considered one of the most difficult eight-thousanders due to its steep pitches and knife-edge ridges.
Often considered the easiest of the fourteen peaks, Cho Oyu is a popular choice for climbers preparing for Everest or completing their eight-thousander quest.
The seventh highest mountain, Dhaulagiri was the highest known mountain until 1838. Its name means "White Mountain" in Sanskrit.
Known as the "Mountain of the Spirit," Manaslu is located in the Mansiri Himal and is known for its long ridges and valley glaciers.
Called the "Killer Mountain" due to early expedition disasters, Nanga Parbat was first climbed solo by Hermann Buhl in an epic 41-hour push.
The first eight-thousander to be climbed, Annapurna has the highest fatality rate of all fourteen peaks due to avalanche danger and technical difficulty.
Also known as Hidden Peak, Gasherbrum I was the site of Messner and Habeler's revolutionary alpine-style ascent in 1975.
Named for its broad summit plateau, Broad Peak was first climbed without supplemental oxygen and Sherpa support, pioneering alpine-style climbing.
Often considered the easiest of the Karakoram eight-thousanders, Gasherbrum II is a popular choice for climbers seeking to complete multiple peaks in one expedition.
The last of the fourteen eight-thousanders to be climbed, Shishapangma is entirely within Tibet and was closed to foreign climbers until 1980.
Explore the major mountain ranges around the world, each offering unique challenges, cultures, and breathtaking landscapes for adventurers and trekkers.
Home to all fourteen eight-thousanders, the Himalayas are the world's highest mountain range. The name means "abode of snow" in Sanskrit.
Known for having the greatest concentration of high peaks in the world, including K2, the world's second-highest mountain.
The world's longest mountain range, stretching along South America's western coast with diverse ecosystems from tropical to polar.
The birthplace of modern mountaineering, the Alps offer world-class climbing, skiing, and hiking with excellent infrastructure.
Stretching from Canada to New Mexico, the Rockies offer diverse wilderness experiences from glaciated peaks to desert mountains.
A natural barrier between Europe and Asia, featuring Europe's highest peak and rich cultural diversity.
Separating the Sahara Desert from the Mediterranean, offering unique desert mountain experiences and Berber culture.
Known for dramatic granite spires, massive glaciers, and some of the world's most challenging technical climbing.
Hermann Buhl made the first ascent of Nanga Parbat solo, in an epic 41-hour push to the summit and back, establishing himself as one of the greatest mountaineers of all time.
Reinhold Messner and Peter Habeler climbed Gasherbrum I in pure alpine style, without fixed camps or supplemental oxygen, revolutionizing high-altitude climbing.
Nirmal Purja and his team summited all 14 eight-thousanders in just 6 months and 6 days, shattering the previous record and redefining what's possible in high-altitude mountaineering.