The World's 14 Highest Mountain Peaks (Above 8,000 Meters)

Updated July 31, 2023 | Infoplease Staff

The highest mountain peaks in the world are in a few primary ranges, including the Himalayan and Karakoram ranges of Asia. These summits all tower above 8,000 meters or 26,000 feet, placing them firmly in the so-called “death zone” where the lack of oxygen is perilous to human beings.

So, read on for all you need to know about the high-altitude mountain peaks that include all eight-thousanders, which individuals have climbed the 14 tallest mountains in the world, and where all these summits are located.

What Are the 14 Peaks Higher Than 8,000 Meters?

Before we meet the climbers who have conquered the following 14 peaks, let’s take a look at where these summits are located in the world and their individual heights.

The following information not only answers the question of where are the 14 highest peaks located, but also addresses another common query: what are the 14 peaks in order? Read on to learn about these high-altitude mountain ranges!

What Are the 14 Peaks Higher Than 8,000 Meters?

The 14 eight-thousanders are peaks that are more than 8,000 meters above sea level. They are all located in the Himalayas and Karakoram mountain ranges in Asia. 

These peaks are some of the most challenging and dangerous to climb in the world, and only a few hundred people have successfully summitted all 14 eight-thousanders. Climbing them requires technical skill, endurance, and a lot of experience, and climbers must also contend with altitude sickness, extreme weather conditions, and the risk of avalanches and rockfalls.

Despite the risks, climbing the collection of 8,000-meter mountains has become a popular goal for many mountaineers, and several expeditions are organized each year to attempt to summit these peaks. While the risks are high, the rewards of reaching the top of these towering mountains are also great, and for many climbers, it is the ultimate achievement in their sport.

From the first to be summited in 1950, Annapurna I, in Nepal’s Gandaki Province, to the last, Tibet's Shishapangma in 1964, people continue to tackle the world’s highest mountains — particularly the 14-8,000m peaks discussed here.

Who Has Climbed the 14 Peaks Higher Than 8,000 Meters?

All 14 of the world's 8,000-meter peaks are located in the Himalaya or the Karakoram ranges in Asia, and only 39 climbers have reached the summits of all 14. These brave mountaineers and adventurers have tackled some of the most daunting treks around the world, but the highest peaks above 8,000 meters present a particularly difficult challenge.

People who forged new records on these mountains include Nepali climbers Mingma David, who is the youngest person to climb all 14 peaks, and Nirmal Purja, who is the fastest to summit them all in only 189 days, achieving a world record. The rest of the climbers are as follows, updated with the latest person to summit all 14 in 2021.

Conclusion

The world's highest peaks above 8,000 meters are a testament to the beauty and majesty of nature. These towering mountains have been a source of fascination for explorers, mountaineers, and adventurers for centuries.

From the icy slopes of Mount Everest to the rugged terrain of Kangchenjunga, each peak offers a unique challenge and a breathtaking view and offers a towering destination for mountaineers, adventurers, and researchers alike. Why not get a taste and see how you fare in our quiz on Climbing Mount Everest Quiz?

See also Climbing the World's 14 8,000-meter Peaks, The Seven Summits, Mortals on Mount Olympus: A History of Climbing Everest, and the Everest Almanac.

See Named Summits in the U.S. Over 14,000 Feet Above Sea Level for U.S. Peaks.

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