Heights of the 10 highest mountains in the world are staggering, and the journeys to their summits are stories of human endurance, will, and the unending quest to stand atop the world. Mount Everest stands unrivaled at 8,848 meters above the sea level.

Located on the border between Nepal and the autonomous region of Tibet in China, Everest is more than just the highest point on Earth, but a symbol of human ambition. The first successful ascent was made by Sir Edmund Hillary of New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay, a Sherpa of Nepal, on May 29, 1953.

Since then, Everest has seen numerous climbers reach its summit, each with their own unique story of perseverance and determination. Second on the list of the 10 highest mountains in the world is K2, also known as Mount Godwin-Austen or the Chhogori.

Standing at 8,611 meters, this height makes it the second-highest mountain in the world. Unlike Everest, K2 is known for its treacherous climbs and has often been dubbed the Savage Mountain. Located on the China-Pakistan border, K2’s remoteness and severe weather conditions contribute to its reputation as one of the most difficult mountains to climb.

The first successful summit was achieved by an Italian expedition led by Ardito Desio in 1954. Third on the list of the 10 highest mountains in the world is Kangchenjunga, marking the border between Nepal and India, rising to 8,586 meters. It’s the third-highest mountain in the world. The name Kangchenjunga means The Five Treasures of Snows, reflecting the mountain’s five peaks.

The first successful ascent was by a British team in 1955. Climbers approaching its summit traditionally stop just short as a gesture of respect to the beliefs of the local populace, who consider the summit sacred. Lhotse, connected to Everest via the South Col, is the world’s fourth-highest mountain at 8,516 meters.

Its proximity to Everest means it shares some of the same routes, making it a formidable challenge in its own right, among the 10 highest mountains in the world. The first ascent was made in 1956 by a Swiss team. Lhotse is renowned for its dramatic South Face, a towering wall of ice and rock that poses one of mountaineering’s greatest challenges.

Makalu is the fifth-highest mountain in the world, standing at 8,485 meters. It is located 19 kilometers southeast of Everest, on the border between Nepal and China. Makalu is known for its pyramid shape. The mountain was first summited in 1955 by a French expedition led by Jean Franco.

Cho Oyu stands at 8,188 meters, making it the sixth on the list of the 10 highest mountains in the world. It lies about 20 kilometers west of Mount Everest, on the China-Nepal border. Cho Oyu is considered one of the easier eight-thousanders to climb and was first summited in 1954 by an Austrian team.

Dhaulagiri is the seventh-highest mountain, standing at 8,167 meters. Located in Nepal, its name means White Mountain, reflecting its beautiful snow-capped appearance. Dhaulagiri was once thought to be the highest mountain in the world before surveys confirmed Everest’s height. The first successful summit was in 1960 by a Swiss/Austrian/Nepali team.

Manaslu, also known as Kutang, is the number eighth on the list of the 10 highest mountains in the world, at 8,163 meters. Situated in the Mansiri Himal, part of the Nepalese Himalayas, it was first climbed in 1956 by a Japanese expedition. Its name means Mountain of the Spirit, and it is revered by locals as the home of a benevolent deity.

Nanga Parbat, meaning Naked Mountain in Urdu, is the ninth-highest mountain in the world at 8,126 meters. Located in Pakistan, it is notoriously difficult to climb due to its dramatic, steep faces and has been nicknamed the Killer Mountain after numerous mountaineering deaths in the early and mid-20th century.

Its first successful ascent was by Austrian climber Hermann Buhl in 1953, solo and without supplemental oxygen. Annapurna rounds out the list of the 10 highest mountains in the world as the tenth one at 8,091 meters. Located in Nepal, Annapurna holds a fearsome reputation.

It was the first of the eight-thousanders to be climbed, with a French expedition led by Maurice Herzog reaching the summit in 1950. Despite its lower rank, Annapurna is considered one of the most dangerous mountains to climb, with a high fatality rate among those who attempt it.

These mountains are not just geographical features, but are beacons that call to those who dare to challenge the limits of human endurance and spirit. The stories of those who have climbed these peaks are a testament to the incredible feats humans are capable of when they set their minds to conquer the natural world’s most daunting obstacles.