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The highest mountain peaks in the world are concentrated in a few major ranges, including the Himalaya and Karakoram of Asia. All rise above 8,000 meters (26,000 feet), putting them into the so-called “death zone,” where the lack of oxygen is perilous to human beings.
Read on for everything you need to know about these extreme summits, the 14 eight-thousanders, who has climbed them, and where they are located as of 2025.
What Are the 14 Peaks Higher Than 8,000 Meters?
The table below lists the world’s fourteen “eight-thousanders” in order of height, with their locations, elevations, and first ascents.
| Mountain | Location | Height | First Person to Summit (& Nationality) | Date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meters | Feet | ||||
| 1. Everest1 | Nepal/China (Tibet Autonomous Region) | 8,849 | 29,032 | Edmund Hillary (New Zealand), Tenzing Norgay (Nepal) | May 29, 1953 |
| 2. K2 (Godwin Austen) | Pakistan/China | 8,611 | 28,251 | A. Compagnoni, L. Lacedelli (Italy) | July 31, 1954 |
| 3. Kangchenjunga | Nepal/India | 8,586 | 28,169 | G. Band, J. Brown, N. Hardie, S. Streather (UK) | May 25, 1955 |
| 4. Lhotse | Nepal/China | 8,516 | 27,940 | F. Luchsinger, E. Reiss (Switzerland) | May 18, 1956 |
| 5. Makalu | Nepal/China | 8,463 | 27,766 | J. Couzy, L. Terray, J. Franco, G. Magnone, J. Bouier, S. Coupé, P. Leroux, A. Vialatte (France) | May 15, 1955 |
| 6. Cho Oyu | Nepal/China | 8,188 | 26,864 | H. Tichy, S. Jöchler (Austria), Pasang Dawa Lama (Nepal) | Oct. 19, 1954 |
| 7. Dhaulagiri | Nepal | 8,167 | 26,795 | A. Schelbert, E. Forrer, K. Diemberger, P. Diener (Switzerland), Nyima Dorji, Nawang Dorji (Nepal) | May 13, 1960 |
| 8. Manaslu | Nepal | 8,163 | 26,781 | T. Imamishi, K. Kato, M. Higeta (Japan), G. Norbu (Nepal) | May 9, 1956 |
| 9. Nanga Parbat | Pakistan | 8,125 | 26,660 | Hermann Buhl (Austria) | July 3, 1953 |
| 10. Annapurna I | Nepal | 8,091 | 26,545 | M. Herzog, L. Lachenal (France) | June 3, 1950 |
| 11. Gasherbrum I | Pakistan/China | 8,080 | 26,509 | P. K. Schoening, A. J. Kauffman (USA) | July 5, 1958 |
| 12. Broad Peak | Pakistan/China | 8,051 | 26,414 | M. Schmuck, F. Wintersteller, K. Diemberger, H. Buhl (Austria) | June 9, 1957 |
| 13. Gasherbrum II | Pakistan/China | 8,035 | 26,362 | F. Moravec, S. Larch, H. Willenpart (Austria) | July 7, 1956 |
| 14. Shishapangma | China (Tibet Autonomous Region) | 8,027 | 26,335 | Hsu Ching and team of 9 (China) | May 2, 1964 |
What Are the 14 Peaks Higher Than 8,000 Meters?
The 14 eight-thousanders are the only mountains in the world taller than 8,000 meters. All are located in the Himalaya and Karakoram of Asia. As of 2025, they remain the ultimate prize for extreme mountaineers.
These climbs are among the most dangerous on Earth, requiring technical skill, endurance, and the ability to face altitude sickness, extreme cold, avalanches, and rockfalls. Only a small number of climbers attempt them each year.
The first 8,000-meter peak summited was Annapurna I in 1950; the last was Shishapangma in 1964. Since then, hundreds of expeditions have followed, but the challenge remains immense.
Who Has Climbed the 14 Peaks Higher Than 8,000 Meters?
As of 2025, just over 50 climbers have summited all 14 eight-thousanders. This exclusive list began with Reinhold Messner in 1986 and continues to grow slowly each year.
Notable records include:
- Reinhold Messner (Italy), first to complete all 14 (1986).
- Ed Viesturs (USA), first American, completed without bottled oxygen (2005).
- Nirmal “Nims” Purja (Nepal), fastest completion, all 14 in just 189 days (2019).
- Mingma David Sherpa (Nepal), youngest climber to finish all 14.
- Sanu Sherpa (Nepal), first person to climb all 14 twice, finishing his second round in 2022.
- Kristin Harila (Norway) with Tenjen Lama Sherpa (Nepal), set a new speed record in 2023, summiting all 14 in just 92 days.
The complete roster includes climbers from across Europe, Asia, and the Americas, with most ascents by Nepali and international alpinists.
Conclusion
The world’s 8,000-meter peaks remain a symbol of both natural majesty and human determination. From Everest’s iconic summit to the remote slopes of Shishapangma, these mountains challenge climbers like no others. As of 2025, conquering all 14 continues to represent one of the greatest feats in mountaineering.
See also Climbing the World's 14 8,000-meter Peaks, The Seven Summits, Mortals on Mount Olympus: A History of Climbing Everest, and the Everest Almanac.
See Named Summits in the U.S. Over 14,000 Feet Above Sea Level for U.S. peaks.
