Climbing mountains has been a test of endurance, skill, and spirit for centuries, attracting adventurers eager to conquer nature’s most formidable giants.  Yet not all summits are created equal. Some mountains are known not only for their height but for their lethality.  High death rates, caused by avalanches, altitude sickness, unpredictable weather, or technical difficulty, mark these peaks as especially dangerous. The mountains on this list, ordered by their death percentages, remind climbers that even with preparation, the risk of failure—and death—looms large.  For every triumphant summit, there are stories of heartbreak and loss, etching these mountains into legend.

#1: Annapurna I – 26,545 ft

Annapurna I in Nepal is notorious for its staggering death rate of approximately 30%, the highest of any 8,000-meter peak.  Part of the Himalayas, it rises to 26,545 feet and challenges climbers with its steep, avalanche-prone slopes.  Unlike Everest or K2, Annapurna I sees fewer climbers due to its unpredictability.  First summited in 1950 by Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal, their success came at a brutal cost, with frostbite forcing amputations and Herzog’s near loss of life.  The climb marked a pivotal moment in mountaineering but also highlighted the brutal reality of Annapurna’s dangers.

Annapurna’s reputation comes largely from avalanches, which strike with little warning.  One of the most tragic events occurred in 2014 when an unexpected snowstorm and avalanche killed 43 people, including trekkers and Sherpas.  The region’s rapidly changing weather and unstable ice make survival a matter of luck as much as skill.  With fewer than 200 successful summits and dozens of fatalities, Annapurna remains a deadly allure for climbers.  The mountain’s high risk-to-reward ratio ensures that only the most determined—and sometimes the most reckless—attempt its heights.

#2: K2 – 28,251 ft

K2, standing at 28,251 feet in the Karakoram Range on the Pakistan-China border, claims the second-highest death rate, hovering around 25%.  Known as the “Savage Mountain,” K2’s steep, icy slopes and unpredictable weather test even the best mountaineers.  Unlike Everest, K2 offers no straightforward routes; every path demands technical climbing skill.

The mountain’s reputation was cemented in 1954 when an Italian team achieved the first successful summit.  Since then, its history has been marked by tragedy, none greater than the events of 2008.  That year, an ice serac collapse caused chaos on the descent, claiming 11 lives.  Stories like Ger McDonnell’s—where he died attempting to rescue stranded climbers—highlight the moral dilemmas and peril climbers face.  K2’s difficulty lies not only in its ascent but in its descent; many climbers perish on the way down after exhaustion sets in.  Unlike Everest, K2 lacks commercial expeditions, making it a mountain for elite mountaineers willing to gamble everything.

#3: Nanga Parbat – 26,660 ft

Nanga Parbat, or the “Killer Mountain,” rises to 26,660 feet in Pakistan and has a death rate of about 22%.  Known for its daunting Rupal Face—the tallest vertical wall on Earth—Nanga Parbat is both beautiful and deadly.  Its early climbing history is marked by repeated German expeditions that ended in disaster.  Between 1932 and 1953, dozens of climbers died in avalanches or storms, earning the peak its ominous nickname.

Hermann Buhl finally conquered the mountain in 1953, completing the ascent solo and without oxygen, a legendary feat in mountaineering history.  Nanga Parbat’s danger isn’t limited to climbing; in 2013, militants attacked a base camp, killing 11 climbers and guides.  The mountain’s combination of technical difficulty, unpredictable weather, and its dark history ensures that it remains a fearsome challenge.

#4: Kangchenjunga – 28,169 ft

Kangchenjunga, the third-highest peak in the world, rises to 28,169 feet on the border between Nepal and India.  Its death rate sits around 20%, primarily due to avalanches and harsh weather.  Revered by locals as a sacred mountain, climbers are careful to avoid stepping on the true summit out of respect for tradition.

The first ascent was made in 1955 by a British team, but success has always come with risk.  The mountain’s remote location, crevasses, and avalanche-prone slopes make rescues nearly impossible.  Its relatively untouched nature and cultural significance add a mystique that draws climbers despite the danger.  In 2019 alone, multiple deaths occurred within weeks, illustrating the mountain’s enduring risks.

#5: Mount Everest – 29,032 ft

Mount Everest, the tallest mountain in the world, is also one of the deadliest, claiming over 300 lives since its first recorded summit attempt.  Located in the Himalayas on the border of Nepal and Tibet, Everest stands at a staggering 29,032 feet.  Despite its reputation as the ultimate climbing achievement, its dangers lie not just in height but also in the “death zone,” where oxygen levels are one-third of what they are at sea level.  The thin air forces climbers to use supplemental oxygen, but even then, exhaustion and altitude sickness set in quickly.  The weather is equally unforgiving, with fierce blizzards and subzero temperatures that can freeze exposed skin within minutes.

Climbers leave base camp prepared for a perilous journey through icefalls, crevasses, and towering ridges, but stories of frozen bodies left along the trail serve as grim reminders of Everest’s power.  One of the most haunting tales is of George Mallory and Andrew Irvine, who disappeared in 1924.  Mallory’s body was only found 75 years later, frozen in time, sparking endless debates about whether they reached the summit before their deaths.  Despite advancements in technology and safety, modern-day Everest remains a graveyard of those who underestimated its force.  A particularly deadly year was 1996 when a storm killed eight climbers, an event immortalized in Jon Krakauer’s Into Thin Air.  Everest’s long history and unrivaled heights make it both the ultimate dream and the deadliest challenge for climbers.

#6: Dhaulagiri I – 26,795 ft

Dhaulagiri I, located in Nepal, stands at 26,795 feet and boasts a death rate close to 16%.  First summited in 1960, it was once considered the highest mountain in the world before accurate measurements dethroned it.  Known for its icy ridges and extreme winds, Dhaulagiri demands patience and resilience from climbers.

Avalanches remain its biggest danger, with narrow ridges forcing climbers into precarious positions.  The mountain’s name means “White Mountain,” a fitting descriptor for its constantly snow-clad peaks. Climbers often speak of its isolation and unpredictable weather, which can turn a clear day into a life-or-death struggle.

#7: Manaslu – 26,781 ft

Manaslu, standing at 26,781 feet in the Himalayas of Nepal, has a death rate of approximately 15%.  Known as the “Mountain of the Spirit,” Manaslu’s elegant, pyramid-like peak belies the deadly challenges lurking on its slopes.  First summited in 1956 by a Japanese expedition, Manaslu quickly became notorious for its unpredictable weather, avalanches, and treacherous crevasses that can swallow climbers whole.

The mountain’s dangers came into stark focus in 1972 when an avalanche buried an entire climbing team, killing 15 people in one of the deadliest single events on an 8,000-meter peak.  More recently, in 2012, a massive avalanche hit a base camp, claiming the lives of 11 climbers, including experienced mountaineers.  Manaslu’s lower death rate compared to Annapurna or K2 does not mean it is any less treacherous; its snow-covered ridges and narrow paths require technical expertise and stamina.

What sets Manaslu apart is its relative remoteness. Although it has become a popular alternative to Everest for climbers seeking less crowded routes, its dangers remain ever-present.  The mountain’s sheer beauty, coupled with its challenges, continues to draw climbers looking to test their limits against nature’s unforgiving forces.

#8: Makalu – 27,838 ft

Makalu, the fifth-highest mountain in the world, rises to 27,838 feet and has a death rate hovering around 14%.  Located in the Mahalangur Himalayas, near Everest, Makalu’s distinctive pyramid shape makes it one of the most visually striking peaks in the world.  Despite its beauty, the mountain’s steep ridges and technical challenges make it a formidable climb.

First conquered in 1955 by a French team, Makalu has remained an elusive target for many climbers.  Its exposed ridges and knife-edge summit pyramid require technical climbing skills, particularly in its final sections.  The mountain’s history is filled with both triumph and tragedy.  Climbers have perished not just due to falls or exhaustion but also because of sudden storms that transform its slopes into icy death traps.

Interestingly, Makalu remains less commercialized compared to Everest, meaning fewer support systems are available for climbers.  This isolation adds another layer of risk for those who dare to scale its heights.  The mountain’s raw, untamed beauty and reputation for demanding perfection from climbers ensure that only the most skilled and prepared attempt its slopes.

#9: Gasherbrum I – 26,509 ft

Gasherbrum I, also known as Hidden Peak, rises to 26,509 feet in the Karakoram Range on the Pakistan-China border.  With a death rate of around 11%, it is one of the less frequently climbed 8,000-meter peaks, yet its challenges are no less daunting.  Known for its remote location and harsh weather conditions, Gasherbrum I is often overlooked in favor of its more famous neighbor, K2.

The mountain earned its nickname “Hidden Peak” due to its isolated and concealed position among the Karakoram giants.  First summited in 1958 by an American team led by Nicholas Clinch, Gasherbrum I’s history is one of perseverance and quiet heroism.  Unlike other peaks, where commercial expeditions dominate, this mountain remains largely the domain of purist climbers seeking solitude and challenge.

The dangers of Gasherbrum I lie in its steep ascents and frigid winds, which can drop temperatures to lethal lows.  Climbers often face difficulties navigating its glacial terrain, where crevasses and seracs threaten at every turn.  While the death rate is lower than Annapurna or K2, the remoteness of Gasherbrum I means that rescue operations are nearly impossible, and one small mistake can mean disaster.

#10: Shishapangma – 26,335 ft

Shishapangma, the smallest of the 8,000-meter peaks at 26,335 feet, has a death rate of approximately 10%.  Located entirely within Tibet, it is unique among the highest mountains in the world.  Despite being considered “easier” than giants like K2 or Everest, Shishapangma still poses significant risks, including avalanches, altitude sickness, and sudden storms.

First climbed in 1964 by a Chinese expedition, Shishapangma was one of the last 8,000-meter peaks to be summited.  Its name means “Crest above the Grasslands,” reflecting its scenic surroundings. However, the mountain’s beauty hides deadly hazards.  One of the most tragic events occurred in 1999 when renowned American climber Alex Lowe and photographer David Bridges were killed in an avalanche, a sobering reminder of the peak’s unpredictability.

What makes Shishapangma especially dangerous is its final summit ridge, a narrow, exposed section that has turned back many climbers.  The mountain’s accessibility from Tibet makes it popular among experienced climbers, yet its low death rate compared to others on this list does not diminish its lethal potential.

The mountains on this list are among the most dangerous places on Earth, where beauty and peril collide.  From Annapurna’s avalanche-prone slopes to K2’s unforgiving icefields and Broad Peak’s deceptive summit ridge, each mountain tells a story of human perseverance, tragedy, and awe.  Climbing these peaks is not just a physical challenge but a test of mental fortitude and respect for nature’s power.  For those who attempt them, the risk is always present, yet the call of the summit continues to inspire climbers from all over the world.  These mountains serve as stark reminders that nature, in all its majesty, remains untamable and uncompromising.