Mount Everest

Everest crowns the Himalayas mountain range that is stretched through India, Nepal, China, and other neighboring countries. This is the highest mountain in Asia, sitting at more than 8,800 meters above sea level. Everest attracts hundreds of mountaineers every year but many of them fail to reach the summit as the climbing route is considered to be one of the most dangerous in the world. At the same time, the death rate among Everest climbers is relatively low and stands at 3%.

Aconcagua

This extinct volcano is the 189th-highest mountain in the world and the tallest mountain in South America. Aconcagua is officially recognized as the highest peak in the Southern Hemisphere. It belongs to the Andes, the world’s longest mountain range, and its elevation is almost 7,000 meters above sea level. Located in Argentina, Aconcagua is believed to be one of the main tourist attractions of the country. Today, along with climbers, this place attracts many art lovers who can visit a contemporary art gallery located on the volcano.

Denali

Not so long ago, this peak was known as Mount McKinley. It was named after the 25th president of the United States. In 2015, Barack Obama changed its name to Denali at the request of the native people of Alaska. The name Denali is based on the Athabaskan word meaning “the high one.” Alaska Natives insist that this name better reflects the nature of the highest mountain in North America, with a summit elevation of more than 6,000 meters above sea level.

Mount Kilimanjaro

Mount Kilimanjaro is a dormant volcano which is sometimes called the crown of Tanzania. When its snow-capped summit is gleaming in the sun, it resembles a shining golden crown. Unfortunately, this snow cover is melting and may fully disappear soon. Over the past 100 years, more than 80% of the mountain glacier has already disappeared. Still, Kilimanjaro is the most prominent mountain peak on the African continent. The volcano is more than 5,800 meters high.

Mount Elbrus

Mount Elbrus, the highest peak in Europe, is situated in the Caucasus, Russia. The dormant volcano rises 5,600 meters above sea level. Although this mountain is significantly lower than other participants in our ranking, it is considered to have one of the most dangerous routes for climbing. Only 70% of all mountaineers climbing Elbrus, which is around 10,000 people, reach the summit. In recent years, Elbrus has gained more popularity as a ski resort.

Mount Vinson

This peak is extremely hard to conquer, and only the most desperate climbers are ready to face this challenge. In fact, it is not about its height which is just 4,892 meters. The main difficulty is that Mount Vinson is the highest peak in Antarctica. That is why climate conditions are always extreme there. A temperature of -40°C even in summer makes any ascent a very challenging endeavor. Besides, mountaineers often have to climb through strong biting winds and snowfalls.