Mountain
Climbing
Top 10 Mountains to
Climb
BY SARAH WINKLER & JOHN
PERRITANO
Mountain
climbing is an extremely popular pastime. Whether you're simply taking a day
hike to relieve stress and enjoy the outdoors, or you're a hardcore climber
pushing the limits to summit a mammoth like Everest or K2, the
experience is exhilarating.
 |
| A hiker surveys the slope. |
So
which are the top 10 mountains to climb in the world?
It's
a tough list to narrow down, but ours includes mountains suited for mostly for
expert climbers, with a few added in for weekend mountaineers, as well.
Read
on to see if you've summited any of the top 10 yet.
10 K2
Known
by the locals as Chogori, K2 is the second tallest mountain in the world,
topping out at 28,251 feet (8,611 meters).
 |
| K2 is the second tallest mountain in the world, second only to Mt. Everest. |
Located
in the Karakoram Range between China and Pakistan, K2 is more difficult to
climb than Mount Everest, the world's highest peak.
While
thousands have ascended Everest, only a few hundred have conquered K2 [source: Encyclopedia Britannica].
In
fact, just getting to the base of the mountain is an adventure.
Climbers
have to drive around dangerous, narrow mountain roads and then hike eight days before
arriving at the mountain.
K2
is often plagued by falling rocks, avalanches and sudden storms, making it one
of the most dangerous mountains on the planet to climb.
In
2008, 11 climbers died on K2, including a 61-year-old grandfather making his
third attempt to scale the monstrous peak [sources: Weir;Encyclopedia Britannica].
There
are a number of climbing routes on K2, all but two beginning from the Pakistan
side where basecamp is located.
The
Abruzzi Spur route, while considered the most dangerous, it is the most common
and was first climbed by the Italians in 1954 [source: K2
Climbnet].
While
you might be able to get fresh bread, vegetables and even beer from the villages near Everest, there are no big
box stores near K2.
Because
K2 is so remote, getting what you need close to the mountain just isn't going
to happen.
Islamabad,
which is more than 200 miles (321.87 kilometers) away, is not a great place to
shop for gear. Bring all you can from home.
9 Mount Elbrus
Unlike
K2, Mount Elbrus -- the Jewel of the Caucasus -- is much easier to climb.
 |
| Mount Elbrus, which straddles Europe and Asia, is known as the Jewel of the Caucasus Mountains. |
If
you're going to climb Elbrus, the best time to go is from June to August.
Experts
say Elbrus is not technically difficult, but shifting weather patterns can make it tricky.
So,
have your crampons for ice climbing, warm clothing and sturdy boots ready [source: Adventure Alternative].
Although
the highest peak in Europe, Elbrus is technically the easiest peak to climb in
the region.
A
less experienced climber can easily maneuver up the glaciated twin summit.
The
route used by most is long and strenuous, but not difficult. Be careful,
though.
Although
Elbrus is technically easy, it can still be deadly.
Around
15 to 30 people die on the mountain each year, mainly because they are
disorganized and poorly equipped.
The
mountain is a high, tall and jagged extinct volcano that last erupted in 50
A.D. Today, its crater is filled with ice and snow [source: Summitpost.org].
When
climbing Elbrus, it is best to bring an ice ax, 12-point step-in crampons,
sunglasses, and typical climbing footwear and clothing.
The
day you climb the summit will be long, but don't fret.
You'll
leave from huts near the peak and return once you top the mountain.
8 Annapurna
Long
before anyone stood on the summit of Mount Everest there was Annapurna, the
26,493 foot (8,075.07 meter) Himalayan peak in Nepal.
 |
| Annapurna is another massive peak in the Nepalese Himalayas. |
Herzog
and his team had no clue where they were going, and had to find their own route
to the top. It took 20 years for another team to follow [source: Everest
News].
There
are actually six peaks in the Annapurna Range, including the towering Annapurna
I.
Annapurna
is Sanskrit for "Goddess of the Harvests," and Annapurna I is the
10th largest mountain in the world.
The
best time to climb is between April and October.
Not
only is climbing any one of the peaks an adventure, but your trek will take you
through many Nepalese villages, including several with whitewashed buildings
and cobbled streets [sources: Visit Himalaya; Unearthing Asia].
.
.
7 Citlaltepetl
and Iztaccihuatl
If
you're looking for a couple of tall mountains to climb that are closer to the
states, then travel to Mexico where two extinct volcanoes, Citlaltepetl and
Iztaccihuatl, tower over the countryside.
 |
| Citlaltepetl, also known as Pico de Orizaba, is Mexico's tallest mountain. |
The
best time to climb either is from October to April, otherwise conditions will
be more extreme than at any other time.
The
key to climbing both peaks is to be acclimatized to the high altitude, which
generally takes two to three days [source: Mexico Extreme].
Citlaltepetl
is the highest mountain in Mexico and the third highest in North America.
Iztaccihuatl
is the third highest in Mexico and the seventh highest on the continent [source: International Mountain Adventure].
In
November 2009, blind climber Erik Weihenmayer and a group of blind children
climbed Iztaccihuatl.
If
you're going to take the standard route up Iztaccihuatl, it is best to bring a
backpack, gloves, mountain boots, warm socks and other typical gear.
There
are several vertical ice walls created by glaciers, which should make
ice climbers melt.
At
base camp you can find food stands and a market where you can buy climbing
gear.
The
main route up Iztaccihuatl is the La Arista del Sol, or the Ridge of the Sun.
The
route is relatively easy, although if you're not acclimatized you might suffer
from altitude sickness.
6 Mount
Khuiten
Located
in the heart of Mongolia, Mount Khuiten is one hard mountain to get to.
 |
| Mount Khuiten is one of the most remote mountains on the planet to climb. |
Still,
it sits in the remotest part of Mongolia and is the tallest peak in the
country.
You
need to be fit if you're going to climb Khuiten, although trekkers can easily
explore the area around base camp.
Because
of its remoteness, you should keep the weight of your gear -- which should
include hiking boots and mountaineering boots -- at 33 pounds (15 kilograms).
Although
the climb isn't difficult for the locals, it is technical, and requires some
skill.
The
route to the top isn't exactly steep, but it is scarred with crevasses from the
Potanin Glacier, so watch where you step.
Because
Mount Khuiten is one of the least accessible mountains on the planet, some
local adventure groups will shuttle you to the mountain using camels [source: Ke Adventure Travel].
5 Mount Kilimanjaro
The
tallest mountain in Africa, flat-topped Kilimanjaro is located near Tanzania's
northern border.
 |
| Scientists say the snow atop Africa's highest peak is melting because of global warming. |
Kilimanjaro
is a unique climb in that you don't need much climbing equipment or experience to conquer
its heights.
A
physically fit novice climber can climb Kilimanjaro in about five days.
You'll
likely begin your climb in the lush lowland forest area where you'll see
vegetation like beautiful heather and proteas.
At
an elevation of about 10,498 feet (3,200 meters), you'll encounter a dramatic
expanse of moorland with plants like giant groundsels and lobelia.
At
13,123 feet (4,000 meters), the landscape changes to a breathtaking alpine
desert.
Then,
at 16,404 feet (5,000 meters), you'll begin your trek to the summit where
you'll encounter the Kibo crater, 600 feet (182 meters) deep and 1.5 miles (2.4
kilometers) across, and Uhuru's peak on Kibo's rim.
Of
the three volcanic summits on Kilimanjaro, Kibo looks the most like a volcanic
crater and is covered with snow due the glaciers in its surface.
.
.
4 The Matterhorn
 |
| A climber views the Matterhorn from a distance. |
Depending
on your skill level, you can choose from a variety of routes to the summit.
For
example, if you're a beginner climber, you can take the popular Horni Ridge or
Lion routes.
These
routes feature fixed ropes, huts and ladders along the way to the summit.
However,
if you're a more skilled climber, you can tackle a route of increasing
difficulty, such as the Zmutt, North Face or Furggen Ridges.
The
Matterhorn looks like a pyramid with steep ridges that jut out from the glaciers
that surround it.
Due
to the isolated position of the Matterhorn, the weather on the mountain can change quickly, so bring
versatile clothing and supplies.
The
best time for tackling the Matterhorn is during the summer months; however,
summer storms can bring about winter conditions, which means most recreational
climbers can't tackle the mountain.
The
Matterhorn is definitely a long and difficult climb, requiring a great deal of
skill to negotiate its unstable rocks and varying weather conditions.
However,
conquering this world famous peak is a source of pride for a lifetime.
3 Fitzroy and
Cerro Torre, Patagonia
Located
in both Argentina and Chile in the southernmost part of the Andes, the
mountains of Patagonia climb to breathtaking heights.
 |
| Snow covers the mountain peaks of Patagonia. |
Due
to the influence of the weather patterns of
the nearby ocean, you'll be likely to encounter somewhat temperate weather
throughout most of Patagonia, but temperatures during the winter have been
known to drop below freezing.
With
granite spires of sheer faces, these rocky peaks feature steep inclines,
so rock climbing experience is
helpful in conquering their heights.
2 Mount McKinley
The
highest peak in North America, Mount McKinley, also known as Denali, towers at
heights of 20,320 feet (6,194 meters).
 |
| The first European to refer to Denali was George Vancouver, a British explorer who spent a month charting the waters of Cook Inlet in 1794. |
A
part of the Yukon Mountain Range and the centerpiece of Denali National Park,
Mount McKinley is surrounded by five glaciers and numerous icefalls.
Mount
McKinley is an extremely difficult climb and is categorized as a major mountain
expedition.
While
the climb itself is not exceptionally difficult, the severe weather that climbers encounter on their way to the
summit makes for a challenging climb.
It's
best to climb Mount McKinley in the spring months.
1 Mount Everest
Rising
approximately 29,035 feet above sea level, Mount Everest is the ultimate mountain to climb: It's the tallest
mountain on the face of the Earth.
 |
| Not many climbers summit Everest without a team of Sherpas, who live in the shadow of the great mountain and are genetically acclimated to the high altitude. |
Located
in the Himalayas of Nepal and China, Mount Everest is an extremely difficult
mountaineering expedition.
Climbers
have to obtain a permit from the Nepalese or Chinese governments to attempt to
climb Mount Everest.
If
you don't want to attempt to reach the summit, you can take a trek to the base
camp of Everest on the north or south side of the mountain.
On
the northern side of the mountain, you can visit a Buddhist monastery at the
foot of the Rongbuk Glacier. Here, you can contemplate your view of the world's
tallest peak.
John
Perritano is an award-winning journalist and author, and regular contributor to
HowStuffWorks. He likes writing about science, history, sports and anything
else that helps pay the mortgage. You might have noticed that he often mentions
his favorite family members — his dogs — in his articles. John holds a master’s
degree in U.S. History from Western Connecticut State University, and has
worked for many publishers including Time-Life, National Geographic, Scholastic
and others. He lives in Southbury, Connecticut, on “Big Dog Farm.” It’s a real
place. Honest. It even has a sign.
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