6 World-Class Mountain Climbs That Beckon Adventurers
Climbing mountains appeals to people longing for a physical challenge accompanied by the far-reaching beauty of alpine landscapes. The accomplishment of reaching a summit delivers a rush of satisfaction and a view that will be remembered for a life time.
Mountaineers are always planning their next climb. New challenges entice people with the mountain-climbing bug, and the world’s mountain ranges offer variety, danger, and fame. The five peaks on this list represent the diversity of climbs available.
Mount Khuiten
To really get away from the daily grind, a mountaineer could choose Mount Khuiten in Mongolia. Extremely remote, this 14,350-foot peak in the Altai Mountains awaits climbers where Mongolia meets China and Russia.
Kilimanjaro
World-famous, this iconic African mountain in Tanzania actually includes three extinct volcanoes called Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira. While hiking to its highest point at 19,340 feet, a climber will experience micro-climates and see wildlife.
Mount Everest
This Nepalese titan holds the record for the highest land-based peak in the world. Despite the dangers involved in going up this 29,035-feet mountain in the Himalayas, it remains a very popular climb that attracts climbers from all over the world. Except for the most experienced climbers, people often hire professional guides to assist them during an ascent. Altitude sickness and extreme shifts in the weather are among the many challenges faced by climbers, who sometimes die in avalanches.
Matterhorn
People consider this peak in the Swiss Alps to be the birthplace of mountaineering as a sport. It actually has two summits, separated in height by a mere 4 feet. The Swiss summit reaches to 14,690 feet, and the Italian summit hits 14,686 feet.
Denali
As the tallest peak in North America, Denali lifts the Alaskan wilderness up to 20,320 feet. Well-known as a challenging climb, its next on the list for the co-owner of the Milwaukee Bucks, according to an article about the climbing adventures of Wesley Edens in Forbes. Also known as Mount McKinley, the mountain threatens climbers with low temperatures all year round. Because of its far-northern location, the air is also thinner than at locations closer to the Equator. This means, climbers have even more difficulty coping with the altitude than on other climbs.
Aconcagua
The Andes Mountains give many choices to climbers, and Aconcagua is the highest mountain in the Western Hemisphere. At 22,841 feet, this peak will test climbers with oxygen deprivation despite its proximity to the Equator where the air is thicker.
A person could spend decades trying to tackle all the exotic mountains around the world that offer breathtaking challenges and adventure. Variables that go into choosing climbs differ according to a person’s desires and abilities. If traveling to remote Asia is not viable, for example, a climber might choose a peak closer to home. A climber must measure personal strength and resources against the requirements of any particular climb.
