climbing

1. The World's Most Dangerous Climbs – AdventureLion.com
Mountain climbing, or rock climbing, is one of the most exhilarating hobbies you can think of. Hard-core climbers,
adrenaline junkies and extreme hikers can't get enough of scaling the world's tallest peaks. When George
Mallory was asked “Why do you want to climb Mount Everest?” he famously answered “Because it's there”. This
all-too-common quote comprises the very core of mountain climbing and what it's all about: conquering the next
peak or cliff, all while having a barrel of fun.
Mountain climbing, however, as all climbers - amateur or professional – know, is dangerous. Accidents happen,
and although they are rare, they can often be deadly. Every mountaineer knows that there are some mountains
and peaks that command a special kind of respect from even the most experienced climber. They are the
mountains that continue to lure, inspire and awe even decades after their first ascents.
Let's see which are the most dangerous climbs in the world:
1. Annapurna - Nepal
Annapurna is one of the most dangerous mountain to climb on the planet, at least by one measure. The climb
success ratio for Annapurna stands at a dismal 38 percent, with a staggering 60 calamities and only 157
successful ascents. The ratio, which is worse than the infamous K2 climb, makes this mountain a particular
difficult ascent even for the more experienced climbers. As a matter of fact, to reduce the risk of deaths, the
Nepalese authorities have denied access for tourists on the entire massif during recent years. Unfortunately, this
makes the Annapurna peak even more tempting for many climbers.
2. The Eiger – Switzerland
The Swiss Alps attract tens of thousands of climbers each year. The spectacular glaciers, high peaks and
breathtaking cliffs make them one of the top mountain climbing locations in the world. There are many peaks that
lure climbers every year in Switzerland, but there's only one that remains legendary among mountaineers – the
Eiger. Also known as the Nordwand (or north face), the mountain is particularly dangerous because of its highly
technical climbs, rocky cliffs and heavy rockfall along its faces. Nicknamed Mordwand (Murder Wall), this difficult
mountain was first climbed successfully in 1938 and still gets hundreds of new climbers each year, many of them
willing to risk their lives to reach the summit.
3. Baintha Brakk – Pakistan
The Ogre, or Baintha Brakk, as is known among experienced climbers, lies in the extreme northern area of
Gilgit-Baltistan province of Pakistan. It frequently tops the list as the most dangerous mountain to climb – the first
successful ascent was done in 1977, while the next one occurred 24 years later, in 2001. The mountain is known
for its exceptional mix of high altitude (7,285 meters/23,901 feet), steepness and complex geological features -
its rocky granite faces make it extremely difficult to climb. The Ogre is also very high above local terrain, its
South Face having a steep cliff rising over 3,000 meters (9,800 feet) above the surrounding glacier. Although
tens of very high-level mountaineers attempt to reach its summit every year, there were only two successful
campaigns in history. As a matter of fact, the 2001 successful attempt performed by Urs Stocker, Iwan Wolf and
Thomas Huber was widely considered as the most notable mountaineering achievement during the entire 2001
season, according to a top mountain climbing magazine. (INFO Mountaineering)
4. Fitz Roy – Argentina
The tallest mountain of Patagonia, Fitz Roy, or Cerro Chalten, is guarded by steep rocky faces on all sides that
require extremely difficult climbing to ascend. For decades, the mountain was considered the most dangerous
climb in the Americas, especially because of the particularly treacherous and inclement weather in the area,
owing to its closeness to both the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans. Although the mountain attracts tens of
thousands of nature lovers and photographers, only a handful of very experienced mountain climbers are willing
to attempt to reach the summit.