The only eight-thosander which is located in China, is known as Shishapangma which is the last mountain in the eitght thousands meter mountains ranking. Shishapangma is a name of Tibetan language which means “ Crest above the Grassy Plains”. Shishapangma was the last mountain peak climbed in the eight-thousands peaks category.

Shishapangma is located in Tibet. Photo by Juan Jose Aguilera

Shishapangma is also considered as a sacred place among the local community. Shishapangma  is located entirely within Tibet and for a long period, there remained a lots of  restrictions imposed by the Tibetan and the Chinese authorities on the foreigners to visit this region.

Shishapangma : Crest over the grassy plains

There is also an ancient tale associated with Shishapangma that once there occured a heavy snowfall that killed animals on this mountain. There was no food, but only the dead animals for the local people to eat. Therefore the people named this mountain as Shisha Pangma (shisha sbangma), symbolizing “meat of dead animals and malty dregs”. The first ascent on Shishapangma was made by a Chinese expedition via the northwest face and northeast ridge and face (“Northern Route”) on 2 May 1964. So far almost 25 people have died during the attempts made for its ascension. Shishapangma, the Crest above the Grassy Plains, is the lowest of the eight-thousanders, which has the total elevation of  8,013 m (26,289 ft).

Let’s come to the Gasherbrum massif again for knowing about the the 13th highest mountain on Earth. We call it as Gasherbrum II which is also known as K4. Gasherbrum II or K4 is located on the Pakistan and China border in the Gilgit Baltistan province of Pakistan. In the great Karakorum range of the Himalaya , Gasherbrum II has the elevation of 8,035 meters (26,362 ft).

Gasherbrum II - K4

Gasherbrum II is the second last mountain peak in rank of the eight-thousander list and the first successful expedition of this great mountain was made by an Austrian team in 1956. The difficulty status of Gasherbrum II is of Major Mountain Expedition, as this peak lies at the latitude of 35.757831 and the longitude of 76.653028. The most suitable climbing route is via the southwest ridge as it is relatively free of objective hazards such as ice falls and avalanches.

A beautiful image of the climbers on Gasherbrum ( Banana Ridge )

The normal period for the expedition of Gasherbrum II, worlld 13th highest Mountain lasts about 7 to 8 weeks. Gasherbrum II is also called in the traditional Chinese language as Pinyin. The first winter ascent of Gasherbrum II was accomplished in 2011 by Simone Moro, Denis Urubko and Cory Richards in alpine style.

Annapurna is a Sanskrit word which means “Goddess of the Harvests” and it is actually the name of a mysterious but magnificent territory of high and snow packed mountain peaks in the Himalayas in north-central Nepal .The whole Annapurna  zone includes 8,091 metres (26,545 ft) Annapurna I, thirteen additional peaks over 7,000 m (22,970 ft) and 16 more over 6,000 m (19,690 ft).This splendid section of the Everest region is also popular for the amazing trekking destinations and it attracts one of the largest numbers of trekkers from the world.

Annapurna I - Goddess of the Harvests

Annapurna I is the world 10^th highest mountain peak in the world and it is a dangerous mountain zone for climbing and trekking. Annapurna I is the lowest eight thousander situated in Nepal which is the most prominent portion of the massif which forms a barrier on the northern side of Pokhara valley. Annapurna I was first climbed by a French expedition in 1950.

Annapurna 1 is the world 10th highest mountain peak in the world

Annapurna I has a mythical significance in Hinduism as it is called as “The universal goddess of food” and it is associated as a source of food and wealth. The whole area around Annapurna I,“Goddess of the Harvests” is easily accessible and it is also having lots of tourist facilities. There are plenty of magnificent valleys and tremendous mountains which present themselves as a precious peace of the Heaven in our lovely planet.

The fifth highest eight-thousander of the world lives with her two sister peaks Kangchungtse, or Makalu II (7,678 m) and Chomo Lonzo (7,804 m) on the border between Nepal and China. This mountain is known as Makalu. This majestic mountain is associated with the Hindu god Shiva and the name is given because of its isolated and gigantic impression. The name Makalu is derived from Sanskrit word Maha-Kala ( extreme black ). In China, Makalu is known with the name of Makaru.

Makalu Summit Sunset From Makalu Base Camp South

20 Km away from the greatest Mount Everest, with its entire horrific influence, Makalu is a pyramid shaped mountain which is considered as one of the tough most Mounts in terms of its trekking routes full of dangerous pitches and sharp ridges.  The trekking routes towards its top are so arduous which make the expeditions almost impossible in winter. Makalu was first ascended on May 15, 1955 by Lionel Terray and Jean Couzy of a French expedition led by Jean Franco. Franco, G. Magnone and Sardar Gyaltsen Norbu the next day, followed by Bouvier, S. Coupe, Leroux and A. Vialatte on the 17^th.

Makalu - The Majestic Mountain is the fifth highest in the world.

The surrounding area of Makalu, the majestic Mountain possesses a fantastic environment and it is also famous for the Makalu National Park. This area is also culturally very important for the locals as it has the religious significance. The superb nature of whole of this area fascinates the trekkers a lot and its unique vegetation is also world renowned for its diversity.

She is a cutthroat but alluring bonny. She stands with all her grace since centuries in the great Himalayan range in the south of the mighty Indus River. She is truly the prestige of the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan. The mountaineers worldwide at once would have known that we are talking about the astounding eight-thousander, the naked mountain which is commonly known as Nanga Parbat. Nanga Parbat is a Sanskrit word which literally means the Naked Mountain. We named it as cutthroat due to its devastating trekking history which has killed many of the climbers in past. Even today it is famous with the name of Killer Mountain.

Nanga Parbat : The Killer Mountain located in Pakistan

For the climbers and mountaineers, Nanga Parbat is certainly is a sensational destination that is no doubt monstrous in the sense of world’s the most dangerous summits. But for a naturalist, Nanga Parbat is a wonderful place to be visited once in a life. The Naked Mountain or Nanga Parbat is the world’s 9^th highest peak having a summit elevation of 8,126 m (26,660 ft ) which is also not far from Karakorum range and it is located in the Astore District of Gilgit-Baltistan in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. For its deadliest trekking, Nanga Parbat is declared in the most prominent peaks of the world as well.

The reflection of the Naked Mountain in the lake's water

Nanga Parbat was first climbed on July 3, 1953 by Austrian climber Hermann Buhl, a member of a German-Austrian team. The climb of Nanga Parbat is so lethal due to the severe weather conditions and the dangerous avalanches. Nanga Parbat had taken more lives of the climbers than any other peaks of the world. Another prominent feature of Nanga Parbat is that it has never been climbed in winter. Nanga Parbat has three faces, the Rakhiot (Ra Kot) face in the north and south silver crags and silver plateau; the rocky Diamir face which converts itself into ice fields around Nanga Parbat peak. The Rupal face of Nanga Parbat is deemed the highest precipice in the world. It would not be an overwhelming statement that Nanga Parbat, the Killer Mountain is the top most dream for any professional alpinist, hiking of which is filled with ultimate adventure and thrill.