7 mountains to conquer. The highest peaks in the world on all continents
According to the data, it is this shield volcano located on Hawaiian Islands is the highest, considering the height from the very base of the mountain.
As you know, with its height of 10203 meters, it is 1355 meters higher than Chomolungma. If you decide to visit this gigantic elevation, you will notice that most of the mountain is hidden under water, and only 4205 meters rise above sea level.
Mauna Kea has existed on earth for about a million years. According to experts, the last period of activity of the volcano was 500,000 years ago, the last eruption occurred approximately 4-5 thousand years ago, so it is considered inactive and there is no reason to worry.
It is believed that the top of the mountain of the volcano has everything best qualities, intended for astronomical observation: humid air, temperature, amount sunny days per year, environmental situation, etc. As you know, a number of powerful telescopes are already operating on its top, and in 214 the construction of the largest telescope in the world began there.
The highest mountains in the world from all continents. Description of seven the highest peaks by frequent light.
As you know, there is a project that includes a list of the highest peaks in the world around the world and it has the name "Seven Peaks". This seven includes the mountains of North and South America, as well as Asia and Europe. Climbers who have conquered all seven peaks automatically become honorary members of the Seven Peaks Club.
I consider it necessary to provide a list of mountains that are included in the list of "seven peaks":
- Chomolungma (Asia);
- Aconcagua (South America);
- McKinley ( North America);
- Kilimanjaro (Africa);
- Elbrus or Mont Blanc (Europe);
- Vinson Massif (Antarctica);
- Kosciuszko (Australia) or Cartens Pyramid (Punchak Jaya) (Australia and Oceania).
Chomolungma (Everest) as the highest peak in Asia
Geographically, it laid its southern mountain ranges (8760 m) on the border of Nepal and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, and the northern (main, 8848 m) - on the territory of China itself. The peak itself belongs to the Himalayas and the Mahalangur-Himal range. Its coordinates are 27.59`17` N. 86.55`31` E
An interesting fact is that we would not have known about this mountain, as the highest in the world, if in 1852, a certain mathematician and topographer Radhanat Sidkar, being in India, at a distance of 240 km. from India, did not determine this by trigonometric calculations.
The tallest Asian beauty has the shape of a trihedral pyramid. The southern skrod is notable for its geometric steepness and exposure, so snow and firn do not hold on it. As you know, many glaciers come down from the top, which end their existence at 5000 m-howl.
According to the facts, the first people to climb the highest peak were Sherpa Tenzing Norgay and New Zealander Yudmond Hillary, they climbed on May 29, 1953 through the South Col.
You should not hide the fact that the mountain is not very welcoming to guests. Its climate is very severe, the wind speed reaches 55 m/s, the temperature in some places drops to -60 degrees Celsius. According to statistics, every twentieth climber forever remains on the slopes of harsh peaks, even modern equipment and equipment, as a result of which 200 climbers from 1953 to 2014 left their lives without conquering the highest peak.
Aconcagua is the second of the Seven Peaks, the highest peak in the western and southern hemispheres of the Earth.
As you know, in Argentina, in the central part of the Andes, the highest mountain in South America, Aconcagua, is located. According to the data, this peak was formed at the confluence of two lithospheric plates Nazca and South American and is 6962 m in absolute height. It also has a large number of glaciers, the largest are the northeastern (Polish) and eastern.
Coordinates: 32.39`S 70.00`W
In comparison with Chomolungma, it will not be difficult to climb this peak if it is made from the northern slope. But despite this, it will be more difficult to conquer from the south or southwest. As you know, the British were the first to climb Mount Akonkaguu in 1898 with the expedition of Edward Fitzgerald.
The third of the "Seven Summits" is the highest mountain in North America - McKinley
Coordinates - 63.04`10` N 151.00`26` W
This miracle of nature is located in the center national park Denali, in Alaska. As the story goes, until 1867, that is, until Alaska was sold to the United States, it was considered the most high mountain Russian Empire. The first person who saw it from two sides is Lavrenty Alekseevich Zagoskin, the leader of the Russian expedition.
March 17, 1913, American climbers under the command of Hudson Stack are considered the first people to conquer this peak.
According to the stories, earlier the indigenous people, the Athabaskan Indians, called this mountain Denali, which means “great” in translation. It was also called " big mountain” at the time of ownership Russian Empire. It received its final name in 1896 in honor of the 25th American president.
The highest mountain in Africa and the fourth of the "seven" - Kilimanjaro
Geographical coordinates: 3.04`00` S, 37.21`33` E
This mountain is a potentially active volcano in northeastern Tanzania. Its ridge is made up of three extinct volcanoes: Shira is located in the west from 3962 m above sea level, Kibo in the center with a height of 5891.8 m, and in the east Mawenzi with a height of 5149 m.
Speaking of appearance mountains, then its peaks are covered with an ice cap. Unfortunately, this glacier is actively melting and its height is barely noticeable as in the old days, and experts predict its complete disappearance by 2020. Such active melting may be due to the clearing of nearby forests and reduced rainfall.
As evidenced by the facts, in 1889 the first ascent to this peak was made by Hans Meyer. It is important to say that the conquest of this mountain is not considered difficult from a technical point of view. since it is located close to the equator and is located at the intersection point of all types of altitudinal zonation.
The highest peak in Russia and Europe - Elbrus
Geographical coordinates: 43.20`45` N, 42.26`55` E
Due to the ambiguity of the border between Asia and Europe, yes this moment there are disputes about the attachment of this mountain to Europe. With a positive answer, this mountain can be considered the highest point in Europe, if not, then Mont Blanc can claim this peak.
About the location: as you know, Elbrus is located on the border of the republics of Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachevo-Cherkessia, which is in the Caucasus.
Outwardly, it looks like an auger-shaped cone of a volcano, with a height of 5642 m in the west, and 5621 m in the east. According to the data, in the 50s. before. AD last eruption was observed.
The hills of this mountain are covered with glaciers measuring 134.5 square kilometers, the largest of which are Big and Small Azau, Terskop.
From the point of view of climbers, the ascent is not difficult, but with the presence of particularly difficult routes. The first conquest was carried out during the expedition of General G.A. Emanuel, head of the Caucasian fortified line in 1929.
The highest mountain of Antarctica and the sixth of the "seven" - Vinson Massif
Geographic coordinates: 78.31`31` S, 85.37`01` W
The mountain is part of the Ellsworth Mountains and is geographically located 1200 km. from South Pole. Its scale is 21 m long and 13 km. in width. Vinson Peak is the highest point of the massif.
It was discovered thanks to American pilots in 1957, and on December 18, 1966, a sunrise was recorded by Nicholas Clinch.
The fifth of seven and the first mountain in Europe "Mont Blanc"
Geographic coordinates: 45.49`58` N, 6.51`53` E
This beauty is located on the border of France and Italy and belongs to the mountain system of the Alps. Its length is 50 km. it is part of the Mont Blanc crystalline massif. The mountain has a large and majestic cover with a length of 200 km., Mer de Glace is the largest glacier.
Jacques Balmat and Michel Paccard were the first to conquer the massif on August 8, 1786. Also interesting fact is also the fact that in 1886, during his honeymoon, this mountain was conquered by Theodore Roosevelt.
The seventh of the "Seven" and the first in continental Australia - Mount Kosciuszko
Geographic coordinates: 36.27`S 148.16`E
This array was discovered in 1840 and is located on the territory of the national park of the same name, in the Australian Alps in the south of New South Wales.
As you know, the name of the mountain in honor of the military and political figure Tadeusz Kosciuszko was given by the Polish traveler, geographer and geologist Pavel Edmund Strzelecki. It was he who in 1840 carried out the first conquest of this mountain.
The highest in Australia and Oceania and the seventh of seven - Carstens Pyramid (Puncak Jaya)
Geographic coordinates: 4.05` S, 137.11` E
It is impossible to miss the fact that there is currently a disagreement about which array should close the list of "seven" vertices. When taking into account the Austrian continent, Kosciuszko Peak will be considered, and when capturing the whole of Australia and Oceania, the Carstens Pyramid with a height of 4884 meters will be undeniably the highest. Because of this, two versions of the “seven peaks” were created, including two variants. But the main one is still considered the Pyramid of Carstens.
The peak is part of the Maoke massif and is located in the western part of the island New Guinea.
The mountain is named after the Dutch explorer Jan Carstens, who discovered it in 1623. For the first time its hills were conquered by a group of four Austrian climbers led by Heinrich Harrer in 1962.
Our planet holds many secrets and mysteries. Most of them are hidden in the highest mountains of the Earth. There is an opinion that the first people descended from the mountains when the great water began to recede.
Hundreds of thousands of archaeologists, historians, topographers, geographers, biologists and ordinary travelers every year make a pilgrimage to the great mountains, which are most closely associated with the word eternity.
The 7 highest peaks of the world are not the highest mountains on the planet, they are the highest points of each continent.
There is even an informal climbing society called the 7 Peaks Club, which includes people who have successfully climbed all 7 mountains.
This idea first appeared in 1981, since then very few have been able to climb all 7 peaks of the world.
There are some disagreements, and specifically they relate to the highest point of Australia and Oceania. If only the continent of Australia is taken into account, then the highest point will be the Kosciuszko (or Kosciuszko) peak, 2,228 meters above sea level. But many do not agree, since the peak is of no climbing interest.
If we take into account Australia and Oceania, then the highest point is the Karstensz Pyramid, or Puncak Jaya, whose height is 4,884 meters above sea level, located in Indonesia. In order to avoid eternal disputes, today there are two programs for climbing 7 peaks. Everyone chooses the peak that he considers correct, in any case it will be counted as the conquest of 7 peaks of the world.
Some manage to climb 8 peaks, thereby leaving no room for omissions.
The very first conqueror and creator of the idea was Dick Bass, who completed the program on April 30, 1985 by climbing Everest. In his version, the Kosciuszko Peak was included in the program.
The first with the version of both mountains of Australia and Oceania was Reinhold Messner, who was not satisfied with the role of the second, and he decided to conquer all 8 peaks.
The race for records in climbing the 7 peaks of the world has been going on for a long time, and every year new records and new disagreements appear. There is a special site where detailed and clear statistics are kept about each ascent.
What kind of mountains so attract conquerors of peaks that beckons them up. To quote the first person to climb Everest, you can say: "I climb this peak because it is."
The second name of Mount Chomolungma. Height above sea level - 8 848 meters. This is the highest point in Asia and the whole world, according to all versions. It is located on the border of Nepal and China, these days, several hundred people every year try to conquer the roof of the world, but not everyone succeeds. Every year, many die while pursuing their dreams.
Despite all these factors, more than 1,000 people have already been to the top of the mountain. The cost of the ascent will be about $40,000.
Pyramid Carstensz. The second name is Puncak Jaya. Height above sea level - 4884 meters. Located on the island of New Guinea. The top itself is easy.
Discomfort and difficulties are caused by inaccessibility and unusual climate. The cost of the ascent will be about $19,000.
Height above sea level - 2228 meters. For climbers, this mountain is of no interest, since it can be climbed without special preparation. It's more like a checkmark, in the list of 7 peaks of the world.
The cost of the ascent will be about $ 5,000.
I would also like to note some records related to the conquest of the 7 highest peaks of 7 continents.
The youngest conqueror of the 7 summit program was Jordan Romero at the age of 15. The oldest conqueror of the program was Carlos Soria, at the age of 71.
This once again proves that the impossible is possible, you just have to want it. And if you are currently sitting on the couch and reading this article, then get up and go to conquer the highest point in the district, for example, climb a 20-story building on foot.
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Members Club 7 Summits(7 Summits Club) are climbers who have reached the highest peaks of all 7 continents. The idea of this project arose in 1981 (of course, in America), and the first members of the Club appeared in 1985 and 1986 (there are two versions of the list of 7 highest peaks, more on that below). Today, Seven Peaks is one of the most popular commercial programs among "climbing collectors": tens of thousands of people are trying to implement it. At the end of 2011, at least according to one version, only 348 climbers managed to do this. As part of the 7 Summits program, ascents are usually carried out along the simplest "standard" routes.
7 Peaks
So, the 7 highest peaks of all continents are:
1. Everest (Chomolungma), 8848 m. Asia
2. Aconcagua, 6962 m. South America
3. McKinley (Denali), 6194 m. North America
4. Kilimanjaro, 5895 m. Africa
5. Elbrus, 5642 m. Europe
6. Vinson Peak, 4897 m. Antarctica
7a. Pyramid Carstens (Punchak Jaya), 4884 m. Australia and Oceania (New Guinea)
7b. Peak Kosciuszko (Kosciuszko), 2228 m. Australia
There is controversy regarding the highest point in Australia. If we consider only the continent of Australia, this will be the Kosciuszko peak with a height of 2228 m. The highest point of Australia and Oceania (which, in addition to Australia, includes the adjacent islands and archipelagos) will be the highest point of the island of New Guinea - Carstens Pyramid (Punchak Jaya), 4884 m. Therefore, today day there are two versions of the Seven Summits program: with the Kosciuszko Peak and with the Carstens Pyramid. The main (and more complex) is the Carstens pyramid program.
Route to Elbrus from the south, through Priyut 11
The route of climbing Elbrus from the North
4897 m. Antarctica. Perhaps the most difficult peak of the seven. The Vinson Massif was discovered only in the 50s of the last century during an aircraft overflight. Unexpectedly, this peak turned out to be the highest in Antarctica. Technically, the route is not difficult, but it is extremely difficult and expensive to get to the foot of the mountain, especially since the organization of ascents is monopolized by the Canadian-English office Adventure Network. Nevertheless, more than a thousand people have already visited the summit of Vinson.
View of Vinson Massif
Carstensz Pyramid (Punchak Jaya, Carstensz Pyramid), 4884 m. is located in the mountains of Irian Jaya on the island of New Guinea (in its western part, belonging to Indonesia) and is the highest point in Australia and Oceania. The first ascent of Carstens in 1962 was made by the Austrian climber Heinrich Harrer (known to us from the film "7 Years in Tibet"). However, until recently, the peak was little known and this ascent did not arouse much interest. Climbing the limestone peak itself is not particularly difficult, the main difficulties are the lack of infrastructure, inaccessibility and the difficult equatorial climate.
Carstensz Pyramid (Punchak Jaya, Carstensz Pyramid)
Peak Kosciuszko, 2228 m - the highest point in Australia. It is a peak in the ridge of the Snowy Mountains (Snowy Mountains), slightly rising above the neighboring ones. The ascent does not represent any technical difficulty.
Peak Kosciuszko ... somewhere there
History of the 7 Summits project
The idea to climb the highest peaks of all continents first occurred to an American millionaire Dick Bass after he climbed McKinley (Denali) - the highest point in America in May 1981. Another millionaire became his partner in the implementation of the project - Frank Wells. In 1981, they went to Elbrus - organizationally it turned out to be not difficult, the system of MALs, the forerunners of today's commercial mountaineering, was already working. Only Bass made it to the top. Aconcagua was next, and not the easiest Polish route was chosen (like acclimatization and training before Everest). Only Bass made it to the top again. In 1982, Bass and Wells joined Lou Whittaker's expedition, which planned to take the route along the Norton couloir - unfortunately, without success.
In 1982, after climbing Everest in the classics from the south, the idea of the 7 Summits project captured and Patrick Morrow, professional climber and photographer from Canada. An unspoken competition has begun.
In September 1983, Bass and Wells go to Kilimanjaro, and a week later - to Elbrus. Morrow in 1983 climbed three peaks from the list - Elbrus, Kilimanjaro and Kosciuszko Peak in Australia. Until the completion of the program, he was left with only Vinson in Antarctica, in those years practically inaccessible to climbers. Bass and Wells managed to organize an expedition to Antarctica in late 1983, which also included Chris Bonnington and a. Morrow did not have the $200,000 needed to join this expedition. At the end of November, the expedition members managed to go to the top (), Miura, in addition, went down from the top on skis. On the way back, Bass and Wells stopped at Kosciuszko Peak in Australia. Morrow organized an expedition to Antarctica in the winter of 1984-85, but due to bad weather and aircraft breakdowns, they were unable to reach their destination.
On April 30, 1985, Bass managed to climb Everest from Nepal - thus he became the first member of the 7 Summits club in the Kosciuszko Peak option. Frank Wells never climbed all 7 peaks, in 1994 he died in a plane crash.
Patrick Morrow went to the top of Vinson on November 19, 1985, and Elbrus still remained for him. He was not satisfied with the role of the second, so he decided to support the idea, which he actively promoted Reinhold Messner- in the list of 7 Peaks there should be the highest point of Australia and Oceania with a height of almost 5 kilometers, and the Kosciuszko peak, which is of no climbing interest, is only 2228 m high.
Messner at that time (actively trying to become the first climber to climb all 14 eight-thousanders, which he managed in 1986) also decided to join the race for the Seven Summits. He climbed Carstens back in 1971, it was his first peak from the list of 7 Peaks. In 1983, Messner ascends Elbrus and Kosciuszko Peak - and he is left with only the hard-to-reach Vinson, having entered which on December 3, 1986, he becomes the 2nd member of the club according to the "Carstens Pyramid" version (this option is also called "Messner's List") and 5th - according to the Kosciuszko Peak (Bass list). Morrow climbed Elbrus on August 5, 1986, becoming 1st in the Carstens Pyramid list and 3rd in the Kosciuszko Peak list. Morrow was also the first to climb all 8 highest peaks (this list includes Carstens' Pyramid and Kosciuszko Peak).
Records
The very format of the Club - "the highest peaks of the world" - involves the pursuit of records and their careful recording. The number of possible “very first” nominations is almost endless, but we will still list the most significant “records”. So:
The first woman to complete the 7 Summits program was Junko Tabei in 1992.
In 2007, Austrian Christian Stangl climbed all 7 Summits in the Messner version alone (presumably without the help of guides - it's hard to imagine a solo on Everest along the classical route) and without additional oxygen. However, Messner, Ed Vesturs, and the Czech climber Miroslav Kaban also went to Everest without additional oxygen (and it is not needed at other peaks) as part of the 7 Summits program.
American Kit DesLauriers in October 2006 not only climbed all 7 peaks in the Bass version, but also skied down from them (as far as it was possible). A year later, Swedes Olof Sundström and Martin Letzter skied off the Carstens Pyramid, skiing down all 8 of the highest peaks.
Lecter with skis under Carstens' pyramid. It’s not clear where you can go there, but at least you skied to the top :)
Age records: On May 17, 2006, Rhys Jones completed the program on his 20th birthday, after which the record was updated almost every year, on December 24, 2011, American Jordan Romero climbed all 7 peaks (the last one was Vinson), in age 15 years 5 months and 12 days.
In January 2010 Spaniard Carlos Soria Fontán climbed Mount Kilimanjaro with a 7 summit program at the age of 71.
New Zealanders Rob Hall and Gary Bol were the first to climb all 7 peaks during the year, in 2008 Dane Heinrich Christiansen completed the program in 136 days, in 2010 Vern Tejas improved this achievement by 2 days. Christiansen's schedule was as follows: Vinson on January 21, Akocagua on February 6, Kotsyushko Peak on February 13, Kilimanjaro on March 1, Carstens Pyramid on March 14, Elbrus on May 8, Everest on May 25 and Denali on June 5. The women's record of 360 days was set by Englishwoman Annabelle Bond, and in 2013 Vanessa O'Brien climbed all 7 peaks (including Carstens' pyramid) in 10 months.
How much does it cost?
The 7 Summits program is one of the most popular commercial climbing products. Moreover, it is almost impossible to organize an ascent to some peaks, such as Vinson Peak or the Carstens Pyramid, due to their remoteness and inaccessibility.
For example, the cost of climbing according to the 7 Summits program of one of the Western operators (in $) and one of the Russian ones (in rubles). Surely you can find cheaper prices, but these figures give a general idea.
Material prepared:(Leonid Smidovich)
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The dream of every climber is to conquer the "Seven Peaks" - these are the seven highest mountains in the world. And it’s not for nothing that they say: Better than mountains there can only be mountains!”, because this is a passion! Once you have been to the top, you will never be able to live in the former peace. They will call you, beckon you with their beauty and originality. Standing at the top, feelings fill every cell of the soul, these raging emotions cannot be conveyed by any of the words. It needs to be FEELED!
But do not underestimate the seemingly simple upward movement. Mountains are sometimes very treacherous, they require a lot of technical knowledge in mountaineering and good physical fitness. The weather on the peaks is very different from the amazing climate of the Maldives: eternal cold reigns there and strong winds blow. Snowstorms and avalanches can fall on you during the assault on the summit, so it’s worth weighing your abilities objectively, because the unprepared play with death…
Now let's delve into the history of each of them in more detail.
Everest
Everest is a European name. Long time ago locals They called the mountain Chomolungma, which in Tibetan means - the holy mother of the universe. Therefore, this name is considered the original, and therefore the main one.
Everest is the highest point of the Earth, due to which it attracts great attention of climbers who seek to overcome themselves and visit the top of the world. Its height is 8848 m above sea level, and its age has exceeded 60 million years.
Everest is located on the Himalayan ridge, where Nepal and China border. by the most popular route lift is the southern slope. There are a lot of people who want to conquer the mountain, but the question price arises ... So how much does it still cost to climb to the top? Using the services of a guide, it will be about 50.000-60.000 $, you will be accompanied by Sherpa porters who will help carry the tent, food and other equipment throughout the ascent. If you decide to go on your own, it will cost approximately $30,000: $20,000 for the obligatory tax from the Nepalese government from tourists, and the remaining amount for good equipment and clothes. But keep in mind that climbing alone is prohibited, so you will have to find additional members for your team.
It takes about 40 days for one group to complete the ascent, which is enough for transitions from one base camp to another and for acclimatization. At an altitude of 6500-7000 m, the so-called "death zone" begins, where, due to changes in atmospheric pressure, rarefied air, low temperatures reaching minus 60C, and strong winds (about 55 m / s), the human body does not even sleep restores, but wastes strength. Climbers expend a lot of energy every day, and by the end of the expedition, participants lose 7 to 10 kg in weight.
Everest is the most polluted mountain, because due to the large number of tourists, an incredible amount of oxygen tanks and food bags remain at the top.
Chomolungma is a treacherous mountain. According to estimates for 2015, almost 300 people have already died on it. The main reason is the collapse of snow and stones, avalanches and of course mountain sickness, from which people lose their minds. Losing him means signing your own death warrant.
The first ascent of Everest was made by a climbing group consisting of Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary on May 29, 1953. The youngest person to reach the summit is 13-year-old Jordan Romero, and the oldest is 80-year-old Japanese Miura Yuchiro.
aconcagua
It is the highest extinct volcano in the world. Previously, it periodically erupted lava flows, but now it has calmed down under a thick layer of ice and snow. Aconcagua rises to 6960 meters above sea level. The name of the mountain, translated from the language of the Quechua Indians, means “stone guard”.
Aconcagua is geographically located in South America in the province of Mendoza and is a landmark of the Aconcagua State Park. On the mountain there are the largest glaciers, such as Polsky and Vostochny.
When climbing from the north side of the mountain, climbers do not need to move in bundles with ropes, so the ascent is considered quite easy. The most suitable period for the rise is the period from January to mid-March.
Briton Edward Fitzgerald was the first to climb Aconcagua in 1897. The youngest and oldest people to climb the mountain are 10-year-old Matthew Monitz and 87-year-old Scott Lewis, and the fastest summit took 5 hours and 45 minutes.
Denali
Mount Denali or as it is also called Mount McKinley is the highest in North America. Denali means "great" in Native American. It is located in the center of Alaska and rises to 6190 meters. Before Alaska was sold to the US, Denali belonged to the Russian Empire.
The classic ascent to the peak is carried out along the western Buttress. Despite the fact that the complexity of the mountain from a climbing point of view is small, but before the beginning of 2000, more than 50% of the climbers did not reach the very top, and about 100 people died. Wide windy plateaus with a bunch of ice gaps still create some difficulties even for professionals. The temperature at the top reaches -30 C.
The fastest ascent of Denali was made in 2014 by the Spanish climber Kilian Jornet Burgada in 11 hours and 40 minutes. And in 2015, the American Lonnie Dupre was the first to climb this peak alone in winter.
Of all the history, only one thing is unclear: who was the first to conquer one of the 7 peaks? There is a lot of discussion and debate about whether it was Frederick Cooke or Robert Peary. It is still not known, since none of them managed to accurately prove the superiority.
kilimanjaro
The highest peak in Africa is Uhuru Peak on Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. There are three extinct volcanoes on the mountain: Mavensi, Shira and Kibo. The highest of them is Kibo (5895 meters above sea level). He is the peak of Uhuru.
At the foot of the mountain there is always a sultry, sometimes unbearable heat, but when climbing, the temperature drops to -10C. Therefore, climbing it, like any other mountain, will not do without warm clothes. The slope leading to Uhuru Peak is quite simple and does not require special climbing skills. Anyone can test their strength here.
Kilimanjaro was first climbed in 1889 by climbers Hans Mayer and Ludwig Purtsheller. The fastest ascent and descent were made in 6 hours and 42 minutes by the Swiss Karl Igloffu. Seven-year-old Keats Boyd also climbed Uhuru Peak, thus becoming the youngest conqueror of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Elbrus
Elbrus is the highest mountain in Russia and Europe. It is located on the border of Europe with Asia. Elbrus used to be active volcano, periodically spewing lava and increasing height. He has been quiet for a long time now. From afar, two peaks are visible on the mountain, the height of one of them is 5621 meters, and the height of the other, which is the top of Elbrus, is 5642 meters. Climbing the mountain is not technically difficult, it has gentle slopes, so only due to the high altitude requires good physical shape and endurance.
The most common routes are on the northern and southern slopes. The average time for a full ascent is about 8-10 hours. The first ascent was made by a Russian group led by Emmanuel Georgy Arsenievich in 1829. During the Second World War, military operations were even carried out on the top against the German division.
To date, high-speed races are held on Elbrus, called the Elbrus World Race. The fastest ascent was made by the athlete Carl Eglof, a native of Ecuador, who set a world record: 3 hours 24 minutes.
Vinson Massif
The Vinson Massif, as it is also called Mount Vinson, is located on the remote Antarctica and is its highest point. There are many peaks on the mountain, the height of which differs slightly from each other, and for a long time scientists have identified which of them will be the peak. As a result, this place of honor went to Vinson Peak, 4892 meters above sea level. The mountain and the peak were named in honor of the American deputy Carl Vinson, who assisted in the development of Antarctica by scientists from the United States.
Technically, the Vinson Massif is not difficult, but due to its open slopes, the mountain is very windy and cold. Favorable time for climbing is from the beginning of December to the end of February. To climb to the top, an organized team is required, since the expedition takes quite a long time.
There were many attempts to reach the summit, but the first full ascent took place in December 1966. Half of the group led by Nicholas Clinch reached the summit of Mount Vinson on December 18, the next day the second half also climbed from the assault camp.
Punchak Jaya
The rocky mountain of Punchak Jaya was also nicknamed the Carstens Pyramid. It is located in Australia, and its height is 4884 meters above sea level. From Indonesian, the name of this mighty peak means "Peak of Victory".
The first to conquer Puncak Jaya was a group of climbers led by Heinrich Harrer in 1962. Climbing Puncak Jaya is considered the technically most difficult of the 7 peaks and requires special climbing equipment and training. But the climate is very similar to the Crimean one, so there will be no long acclimatization and the route can be covered in one day. The easiest is to climb the northern slope and the favorable period for this is from February to November. But climbing the Carstens Pyramid is not cheap. Due to the mines of non-ferrous and precious metals nearby to the mountain, the government has introduced a collection of funds from tourists and has tightened the passage to Punchak Jaya, while the mines themselves are reliably guarded by the armed forces and access to them is prohibited.
Only mountains can be better than mountains - Vysotsky sang and was right. Mountains have always attracted people. Brave people, despite the cold, lack of oxygen, dangers and difficulties stubbornly "climbed" to the heights. What drew them there? Curiosity? Want to test yourself? Thirst for glory? Do you want to prove your superiority to yourself and others? Thirst for knowledge? It is difficult to find any logic in the inexplicable craving of people for mountains.
Recall the past years, when during the Great Patriotic War the German mountain division "Edelweiss" with fierce battles broke through to the very high mountain Europe - Elbrus, to install Nazi flags on its top. Why did the pragmatic Germans need to spend their energy on conquering this peak? Did Hitler even need such proof of his own greatness?
Mountains are the greatest creation of mother nature. They are great, powerful and eternal. Representatives of the species Homo sapience are deprived of these qualities. Rising to the sky, they try to join the great secret of the universe, and when they reach the top, they begin to see clearly. Against the backdrop of the cold gigantic peaks, everything that they lived before seems petty and insignificant.
Let's commit virtual journey and climb to the tops of the highest mountains of all the continents of the Earth and enjoy the fantastic landscapes that open before the eyes of brave climbers. Maybe we will be able to comprehend the secret of these natural monuments.
The main Caucasian Range, "under the command" of the mighty Elbrus, "cuts through" a dense veil of clouds (Photo source:).
Everest (Asia) - Height: 8848 meters Chomolungma) is the highest peak of our planet, part mountain system Himalayas. For many climbers, this mountain is the most desired trophy. But not everyone can climb this mountain. As a result, mountain climbers are sometimes forced to face cynical decisions about whether to rescue those in distress or continue on their way. Often the rescue of climbers in distress at high altitude is simply not possible, since here every step is given with incredible difficulty. Therefore, on the slopes of the mountains you can meet the bodies of dead climbers. You can familiarize yourself with very "unsightly" stories and photographs.
Photo on the left: the road to Everest, photo on the right: base camp at an altitude of 8300 meters (Photo source:).
Aconcagua (South America) - Altitude: 6962 meters
- the highest peak of the Andes mountain range in South America. Aconcagua "part-time" is the highest extinct volcano in the world.
In the photo, ant-sized climbers make their way forward towards the summit. A giant whirlwind of snow is circling above them (Photo source: ).
Sunrise over Aconcagua. The majestic panorama of the Andes appears in all its guise before the brave climbers (Photo source:).
McKinley (North America) - Height: 6194 meters
The summit of Alaska occupies an honorable third place among the highest peaks of the continents in our ranking.
Giant McKinley against the backdrop of the coniferous forests of Alaska (Photo source:).
View from the heights of McKinley. A dense blanket of clouds "creeps" on the peaks (Photo source:).
Kilimanjaro (Africa) - Altitude: 5895 meters
The highest point in Africa - the mountain is located in the northeastern part of Tanzania. It is a very unusual sight to see a snowy peak in the sultry African savannah. Recently, scientists have been sounding the alarm, the Kilimanjaro ice cap is rapidly decreasing in volume. Over the past decades, 80% of the ice on this mountain has already melted. As the main culprit of this process, climatologists call.
African elephants against the backdrop of the snowy peaks of Kilimanjaro are a very unusual sight (Photo source:).
On the way to Kilimanjaro. The landscape is fantastic (Photo source: ).
View of the veil of clouds from the very high point African continent (Photo source: ).
Elbrus (Europe) - Height: 5642 meters
In Russia, there is also a mountain-record holder - this is the highest peak in Europe -. Elbrus is part of the Main Caucasian Range and is located on the border of the two Russian republics of Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachay-Cherkessia. In the past (about 50 AD) Elbrus was an active volcano.
Handsome Elbrus (Photo source:).
Camp on the spurs of Elbrus (Photo source:).
Panorama of the mountains, opening to climbers from the top of Elbrus (Photo source:).
Silent and mysterious land of snows and clouds of Elbrus (Photo source:).
Unusual atmospheric phenomenon. The shadow of the top of Elbrus in the morning haze (Photo source:).
The beauty of the Elbrus region. End of all seasons. Greening alpine meadows and the spurs of Elbrus covered with snow (Photo source:).
At the top of Elbrus - a fantastic world of white snow and clouds (Photo source:).
Vinson Massif (Antarctica) - Height: 4892 meters
The coldest continent of the planet - Antarctica also has its mountains. The highest of them were discovered relatively recently, at the end of the 50s of the last century. The Vinson Massif is part of the Ellsworth Mountains and is located 1200 kilometers from the southernmost point of the planet.
This is what the Vinson Array looks like from space (Photo Source:
