Aconcagua is the highest mountain in South America and also Earth's highest mountain outside of Asia and in the Southern and Western Hemisphere. It is believed to have been a holy mountain for the Inca. The first known ascent of Aconcagua took place in 1897. Being one of the Seven Summits it is a very popular destination for mountaineers from all over the world. Climbing Aconcagua is not particularly difficult and hardly requires any advanced climbing skills. The ascent is not free of risks, though. Low temperatures, strong winds, and altitude sickness can challenge climbers, especially on the upper part of the mountain.
Monte Adamello is, after Presanella, the second-highest summit of the mountain group of the same name on the border between Lombardy and Trentino. The west and north faces of the Adamello rise steeply to the top, while the mountain falls away more gently towards the south-east. The Adamello lies in the Parco regionale dell’Adamello, which borders the slightly larger Parco naturale Adamello-Brenta directly to the east. Alongside ibex and chamois, larger birds of prey such as golden eagles and bearded vultures can occasionally be seen here, and brown bears only rarely.
Áhkká is situated in northern Sweden, in the Stora Sjöfallet national park. It is also known as the “Queen of Lapland”. The mountain massif is dominating its surrounding area and is of high importance in the Sami culture. Its name refers to the mother goddess Maderakka. The summit region of the Áhkká-massif consists of twelve peaks with Stortoppen being the highest. Nordosttoppen (north east peak) also reaches a height of over 2000 meters. The first recorded ascent of Stortoppen was accomplished in 1924.
The two peaks of the Aiguille du Dru in the northern part of the Mont Blanc massif rise steeply into the sky of the French Alps. The Grand Dru is the higher summit. The Petit Dru is about 20 meters lower. The impressive shape of the mountain has fascinated generations of climbers in Europe, and notably in France. The first ascent of the Grand Dru was accomplished in 1878 via the south-east face.
South of Chamonix, the peak of Aiguille du Midi towers in the Mont Blanc massif. It offers a magnificient view and is the starting point for various climbing routes to the surrounding four-thousander peaks, most of all the famous Mont Blanc. A cable car has been running up the Aiguille du Midi since 1955, making the summit, which is now equipped with restaurants and tourist shops, easy to reach. The highest peak of the Aiguille du Midi was climbed for the first time in 1856. Nowadays, the south face is particularly popular for its many climbing routes.
The Aiguille Verte, the “Green Needle”, is located in the Mont Blanc massif, east of Chamonix. With its rocky, pointed shape, it lives up to its name. The Aiguille Verte's massive rock face makes it one of the most challenging mountains to climb in the Alps. In some places the gradient reaches up to 55°, which is why even the normal route through the Whymper Couloir should not be underestimated. Additionally the mountain massif is surrounded by glaciers, which makes the ascent routes even more difficult.
The rock spires of the Aiguilles d’Arves rise in the Maurienne, east of Grenoble. The southern peak, the Aiguille Méridionale, is the highest of them. It is followed by the Aiguille Centrale, just one metre lower, and, set slightly apart further north, the Aiguille Septentrionale, also known as ‘Tête de Chat’ – cat’s head. Since many are drawn to the famous and popular Écrins massif to the south, the Aiguilles d’Arves have become something of an insider tip for anyone looking for quieter mountain and climbing tours.
The Aletschhorn is the second-highest summit of the Bernese Alps and is often described as the coldest mountain in the Alps, as it is particularly exposed to cold winds. From the top there is a breathtaking view of the surrounding three- and four-thousand-metre peaks of the Bernese and Valais Alps. Around the Aletschhorn lie the Aletsch Glaciers, which were once connected. The Great Aletsch Glacier is the largest glacier in the entire Alpine region.
Lying close to many four-thousand-metre peaks of the Valais Alps, the Almagellerhorn is not the most conspicuous summit in the region. Yet the shapely mountain, which appears as a perfect rock pyramid from Saas-Fee, deserves all the attention. The ascent, which is not overly difficult, is worth it too: from the summit of the Almagellerhorn you have a splendid view of the surrounding peaks and ranges such as Weissmies to the north, Stellihorn to the south and, of course, the peaks of the Mischabel group and Monte Rosa to the west.
The Alpspitze is located in the Wetterstein mountains close to Germany's highest mountain, the Zugspitze. In spite of its low prominence the mountain's unique pyramid shaped peak makes it one of the most iconic mountains of the Northern Limestone Alps and one of the best-known landmarks of nearby Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
The Altmann rises steeply almost 1000 metres over the valleys of the Alpstein. The second highest summit of the Appenzell Alps is a classic climbing mountain. The view from the top is impressive and goes from Lake Constance, over the Rhine valley, the Allgäu Alps, the Rätikon, the Silvretta Alps, up to the Bernese Alps, and Lake Zurich. Around the Altmann you have a fairly good chance to meet Alpine ibexes, which are widespread in the area.
Ama Dablam is occasionally called the ‘Matterhorn of the Himalayas’, yet this striking summit sets standards of beauty entirely its own. On the way to Everest Base Camp the mountain dominates the eastern panorama of walkers and mountaineers for a long stretch. Like the arms of a caring mother, or ‘ama’, its prominent ridges reach down from the summit. The glacier hanging between them recalls a ‘dablam’, a traditional pendant worn by Sherpa women. After Everest and Cho Oyu, Ama Dablam is the most popular mountain for climbers in the Himalayas. Unlike the highest mountain on earth, which is climbed mainly in May, autumn is the favourite season for ascents of Ama Dablam.
Annapurna I is the tenth-highest mountain on Earth and the highest point of Nepal's Annapurna massif, which stretches over a good 55 kilometres and contains numerous six- and seven-thousand-metre peaks. The name Annapurna goes back to the Hindu goddess of the harvest, whose name is made up of the words ‘anna’ (food) and ‘purna’ (filled). Annapurna I was climbed as early as 1950, the first eight-thousand-metre peak ever to be summited. Yet the second successful ascent only followed in 1970, via the roughly 3000-metre south face, which is considered one of the most difficult climbing routes of all.
While the Marmolada is regarded as the queen of the Dolomites, Antelao is their king. Unusually for this mountain group, the peak rises majestically as a free-standing rock pyramid to the south-east of Cortina d'Ampezzo. Together with Monte Pelmo to the west, the second-highest summit of the Dolomites forms a gigantic gateway into the Val di Cadore.
According to a Maori legend Aoraki was the tallest of three brothers who stranded with their canoe and were turned into stone. The mountain is the high point of New Zealand, in the Southern Alps. The British named the mountain after explorer Captain James Cook. In 1998 it was officially named Aoraki / Mount Cook to also honor the native name of the mountain.
Up to this day there is still a strong belief by some that Mount Ararat is the resting place of Noah’s Arc. With over 5000 meters in elevation the dormant volcano is the highest mountain in Turkey, situated in the east of the country, close to the borders to Armenia, Iran and Azerbaijan. In Turkish the mountain is known as Ağrı Dağı. Right next to it the Little Ararat rises to 3896 meters. The ascent of Ararat was tried many times since the middle ages. Yet, only in 1829 the first expedition finally reached the summit. Climbing Ararat in the winter is still rarely undertaken, since it is much more difficult. due to low temperatures and severe storms on the mountain.
Baboquivari Peak, in southern Arizona, is the highest point in the Baboquivari Mountains and the Baboquivari Peak Wilderness. The mountain top rises up sharply and is a popular destination for tourists and climbers. The Kitt Peak National Observatory lies close-by. Baboquivari Peak is of particular importance for the native Tohono O’odham people. According to their believe the creator I'itoi resides in a cave below the mountain base.
The Ballunspitze is well-known among the visitors of the ski resort Galtür, which is situated in Tyrol on the northern slopes of the mountain, near the town of Wirl. The chairlift Ballunspitzbahn gets you up to 2200 meters. West of the ski area, in Vorarlberg, the Kops water reservoir can be found, which was constructed in the 1960s. South of the Ballunspitze the Threethousanders of the Silvretta Alps dominate the view.
The Barre des Écrins is the Alps' western- and southernmost four-thousander, situated in the Dauphiné-Alps, a wild and rough region in southeastern France. The mountain's north face is covered by the mighty Glacier Blanc, which climbers usually pass on their way to the summit. There are no classic Alpine ski resorts around the mountain but La Grave in the north of the Barre des Écrins has become one of the centers for freeriding and extreme skiing in the Alps.
Situated in the Pennine Alps in the Swiss canton of Valais the main summit of the Becs de Bosson, the Grand Bec, rises up to 3149 metres. The subpeak, Petit bec, is only 20 centimetres lower. The mountain chalet Cabane de Becs de Bosson at an altitude of 2983 metres is the starting point or rest stop for many climbers attempting to reach the summit.
Ben Nevis, east of Fort William, is the highest mountain in Scotland and Great Britain. The Gaelic name “Beinn Nibheis” can be translated as “mountain with its head in the clouds”. The summit of the former volcano is covered in fog or rain 300 days a year due to its maritime location. The weather conditions pose a severe risk for mountaineers. The first documented ascent of Ben Nevis took place in 1771. Today it is one of the world's most frequented peaks. The 700 meter high northeast face is particularly popular for ice climbing.
The Biberkopf (beaver's head) rises at the end of the main ridge of the Allgäu Alps and is considered to be Germany's most southern mountain. The border to Austria runs along the distinctive summit. The name of the mountain goes back to larger beaver colonies that populated the nearby Lechtal and the surrounding high moors. Beavers are also part of the traditonal womens' costumes of the area which include beaver hats.
The Birkkarspitze is the highest mountain in the Karwendel. Together with the three Ödkarspitzen peaks west of the summit, it forms an impressive massif. The Karwendeltal runs to the north of the Birkkarspitze. Its length and gentle gradient make it ideal for mountain biking, and long ski tours with an impressive panorama are popular there too.
The Birnhorn is the highest point of the Leoganger Steinberge and one of the 30 most prominent summits in the Alps. It rises almost 2000 metres above the valley of the Leoganger Ache to its south. The mountain’s south-east face, around 1400 metres high, is one of the highest rock faces in the Eastern Alps and is even compared to the famous east face of the nearby Watzmann.
The Bischofsmütze, German for “bishop's hat”, owes its name to the distinctive shape of the double summit. The border between the Archduchy of Austria and the Archdiocese of Salzburg ran along the mountain, until the beginning of the 19th century. The mountain was said to keep watch over the Eastern Pongau region, which was administered by the Archbishop of Salzburg. Even though in 1993 the Bischofsmütze lost a 200 meter cliff wall in a massive rock slide, which changed the mountain's appearance significantly, it remains a popular destination for mountain climbers since the first ascent, made in 1879.
Borah Peak is Idaho's highest mountain and the highest peak of the Lost River Range in the Rocky Mountains. It is surrounded by many of the other highest mountains of the state, like Mount Idaho or Leatherman Peak. Borah Peak was named after William Borah, a long-term serving US-senator from Idaho. On the way to the summit one has to cross passages, usually covered with ice and snow, year-round, which makes ascending the mountain quite challenging. The first successful recorded ascent was made in 1912.
Boundary Peak in the White Mountains, east of the Sierra Nevada, is the highest natural point in Nevada. The summit got its name because it is siutated only one kilometre from the state border to California. Boundary Peak is generally considered not to be an independent mountain, but a sub-peak of the significantly higher Montgomery Peak (13441 ft) on the Californian side of the White Mountains. Thus Boundary peak has a relavively low prominence of only 253 feet.
The Breithorn is a mountain range in the Pennine Alps whose highest summit carries the same name and lies on the border between Switzerland and Italy. It sits on the main chain of the Alps, roughly halfway between the Matterhorn and Monte Rosa and east of the Theodul Pass. Most of the massif is glaciated and includes several subsidiary peaks, all of them east of the main summit: the Central Breithorn, the western Breithorn Twin, the Gendarme and the Roccia Nera.
Three Swiss cantons border on the top of the Brienzer Rothorn. A cable car from Sörenberg in Lucerne almost reaches the summit from the northern side. In the winter the are is part of the ski resort Sörenberg / Rothorn. The mountain station of the other cable car, going up from Brienz in Bern from the south, is located about 100 meters below the summit. The Brienzer Rothorn is known for the Alpine ibexes which populate its slopes. One might spot the animals when following the route of the “Ibex Trek” starting at Sörenberg.
Broad Peak is the second-highest eight-thousand-metre peak of the Gasherbrum group. South-east of K2 rise the north summit, the central summit and finally the main summit. The long summit ridge of this enormous mountain reminded William Martin Conway, the Briton who named it, of the Breithorn in Switzerland, so he simply carried its name over into English. In 1988 the Polish mountaineer Maciej Berbeka became the first person to climb above 8000 metres in winter when he reached Broad Peak's fore-summit (Rocky Peak) at 8028 metres.
The Brocken is the highest peak of the Harz and is also considered to be the high point of Northern Germany. Since 1899 the summit can be accessed via the Brocken Railway. The mountain, which is often covered in fog, is also known under the name Blocksberg and lots of myths and legends are known about the Brocken. Some said it was a gathering point for witches. The optical illusion Brocken spectre, usually occuring during foggy periods, also played its part for the creation of many of the stories.
Cascade Mountain is a familiar sight for visitors to Banff in Alberta. The foot of the mountain reaches almost to the town boundary in the north, and pictures of Banff Avenue in the centre often show the peak rising impressively above the town in the background. Like its present-day name, the Indigenous name "Minihapa" ("mountain where the water falls") refers to the waterfall on the mountain's southern flank. Among locals the name "Stoney Chief" is also common, echoing the neighbouring mountain "Stoney Squaw". The nearby Norquay Ski Area is a popular starting point for the ascent to the summit.
Castle Peak, in the centre of Idaho, is the highest mountain in the White Cloud Mountains, a range within the Rocky Mountains. It rises above nearby Merriam Peak to the north. On clear days you can see more than 25 lakes from the summit. The Bald Mountain, Dollar Mountain and Soldier Mountain ski areas are close by. With a climbing grade of III, the ascent to the summit is best left to experienced mountaineers.
When standing on top of Chimborazo you have reached the farthest point on our planet's surface from the inner core of Earth, thanks to the location of the mountain close to the equator. Ecuador's highest peak is one of the most prominent summits on the planet with over 4000 meters in topographical prominence. There is no higher mountain on the American continent north of Chimborazo. Until the beginning of the 19th century it was even assumed to be Earth's highest mountain above sea level. This lead to numerous summit attempts by Europeans. Yet, the first successful climb to the mountain top was only accomplished in 1880.
Cho Oyu, the sixth-highest mountain on earth, rises in the west of the Mahalangur Himal, the part of the Himalayas that also contains Mount Everest, only about 20 kilometres away. West of Cho Oyu lies the Nangpa La pass at 5716 metres, which has been one of the most important trade routes between Tibet and Nepal for centuries. In 1954 the Austrians Herbert Tichy and Joseph Jöchler, together with the Sherpa Pasang Dawa Lama, made the first ascent of Cho Oyu – without supplementary bottled oxygen, an extraordinary mountaineering achievement.
The Churfirsten form a striking mountain range in the Appenzell Alps in the Swiss canton of St. Gallen. Of its seven summits, the Hinterrugg is the highest at 2306 m. While the range tapers off relatively gently to the north, to the south it drops steeply down to the Walensee at an altitude of around 420 m.
