In which country are the Himalayan mountains located? Where are the Himalayan mountains located on the map. Characteristics of natural conditions

The Himalayas are a world whose name, translated from Sanskrit, literally means “the place where snow lives.” Located in South Asia, this mountain range divides the Indo-Gangetic Plain and is home to most of the closest points to the sky on planet Earth, including Everest, the highest point (the Himalayas are not called the “roof of the world” for nothing). It is also known under another name - Chomolungma.

Mountain ecology

The Himalayan mountains have a wide variety of landscape shapes. The Himalayas lie on the territory of five countries: India, Nepal, Bhutan, China and Pakistan. Three large and powerful rivers - the Indus, Ganges and Brahmaputra - originate in the mountains. The flora and fauna of the Himalayas is directly dependent on climate, rainfall, mountain height and soil conditions.

The area around the base of the mountains is characterized by a tropical climate, while the tops are covered with perpetual ice and snow. Annual precipitation increases from west to east. The unique natural heritage and height of the Himalayan mountains are subject to modification due to various climatic processes.

Geological features

The Himalayas are mountains consisting primarily of sedimentary and mixed rocks. Distinctive feature mountain slopes are their steepness and peaks in the form of a peak or ridge, covered eternal ice and snow and occupy an area of ​​about 33 thousand km². The Himalayas, whose height in some places reaches almost nine kilometers, are relatively young compared to other, more ancient mountain systems on Earth.

As it did 70 million years ago, the Indian plate is still moving and moving up to 67 millimeters per year, and over the next 10 million years it will move 1.5 km in an Asian direction. What also makes the peaks active from a geological point of view is that the height of the Himalayan mountains is increasing, gradually rising by approximately 5 mm per year. Such seemingly insignificant processes over time have a powerful influence in geological terms; in addition, the area is unstable from a seismic point of view, and earthquakes sometimes occur.

Himalayan river system

The Himalayas have the third largest deposits of ice and snow in the world after Antarctica and the Arctic. There are approximately 15 thousand glaciers in the mountains, which contain about 12 thousand cubic kilometers fresh water. The highest areas are covered with snow all year round. The Indus, which has its origins in Tibet, is the largest and deepest river, into which many smaller ones flow. It flows in a southwesterly direction through India, Pakistan and flows into the Arabian Sea.

The Himalayas, whose height reaches almost 9 kilometers at its highest point, are characterized by great river diversity. The main water sources of the Ganges-Brahmaputra basin are the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Yamuna rivers. The Brahmaputra joins the Ganges in Bangladesh and together they flow into the Bay of Bengal.

Mountain lakes

The highest Himalayan lake, Gurudongmar in Sikkim (India), is at an altitude of about 5 kilometers. In the vicinity of the Himalayas there are a huge number of picturesque lakes, most of which are located at an altitude of less than 5 kilometers above sea level. Some lakes are considered sacred in India. Nepal's Lake Tilicho, in the vicinity of the Annapurna mountain landscape, is one of the highest on the planet.

The Great Himalayan mountain ranges contain hundreds of beautiful lakes throughout India and neighboring Tibet and Nepal. The Himalayan lakes add special appeal to the magnificent mountain landscapes; many of them are steeped in ancient legends and interesting stories.

Impact on climate

The Himalayas have a great influence on climate formation. They prevent the flow of cold dry winds in south direction, which allows a warm climate to reign in South Asia. A natural barrier is formed for the monsoons (causing heavy rainfall), preventing their movement in a northerly direction. The mountain range plays a certain role in the formation of the Taklamakan and Gobi deserts.

The main part of the Himalayan mountains is influenced by subequatorial factors. In the summer and spring season it is quite hot here: the average air temperature reaches 35 °C. At this time of year, the monsoons bring with them large amounts of rainfall Indian Ocean, which then fall on the southern mountain slopes.

People and culture of the Himalayas

Due to climatic conditions, the Himalayas (mountains in Asia) are a fairly sparsely populated region. Most people live in the lowlands. Some of them earn their living as guides for tourists and escorts for climbers who come to conquer some Mountain peaks. The mountains have been a natural barrier for many thousands of years. They stopped the assimilation of the interior of Asia with the Indian peoples.

Some tribes are based in the Himalayan mountain range, namely in Northeast India, Sikkim, Nepal, Bhutan, parts of West Bengal and others. Arunachal Pradesh itself is home to more than 80 tribes. The Himalayan mountains are one of the largest places in the world with a large number of endangered animal species as hunting is a very popular activity in the vicinity of the Himalayas. The main religions are Buddhism, Islam and Hinduism. A famous Himalayan myth is the story of Bigfoot, who lives somewhere in the mountains.

Height of the Himalayan mountains

The Himalayas rise almost 9 kilometers above sea level. They extend over a distance of about 2.4 thousand kilometers from the Indus Valley in the west to the Brahmaputra Valley in the east. Some mountain peaks are considered sacred among the local population, and many Hindus and Buddhists make pilgrimages to these places.

On average, the height of the Himalayan mountains in meters together with glaciers reaches 3.2 thousand. Mountain climbing, which gained popularity at the end of the 19th century, has become the main activity of extreme tourists. In 1953, New Zealander and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay were the first to conquer Everest (the highest point).

Everest: mountain height (Himalayas)

Everest, also known as Chomolungma, is the highest point on the planet. What is the height of the mountain? Known for its inaccessible peaks, the Himalayas attract thousands of travelers, but their main destination is the 8,848-kilometer-high Qomolangma. This place is simply a paradise for tourists who cannot imagine their life without risk and extreme sports.

The height of the Himalayan mountains attracts a large number of climbers from all over the globe. As a rule, there are no significant technical difficulties with climbing certain routes, but Everest is fraught with many other dangerous factors, such as fear of heights, sudden changes weather conditions, lack of oxygen and very strong gusty winds.

Scientists have accurately determined the height of every mountain system on Earth. This was made possible through the use of NASA's satellite observation system. Having measured the height of each mountain, we came to the conclusion that 10 of the 14 highest on the planet are in the Himalayas. Each of these mountains belongs to a special list of “eight-thousanders”. Conquering all these peaks is considered the peak of a mountaineer's skill.

Natural features of the Himalayas at different levels

The Himalayan swampy jungles located at the foot of the mountains are called "Terai" and are characterized by a wide variety of vegetation. Here you can find 5-meter thickets of grass, palm trees with coconuts, ferns and bamboo thickets. At an altitude of 400 meters to 1.5 kilometers there is a strip of rainforest. In addition to numerous species of trees, magnolias, citrus fruits and camphor laurel grow here.

For more high level(up to 2.5 km) the mountainous space is filled with evergreen subtropical and deciduous forests, here you can find mimosa, maple, bird cherry, chestnut, oak, wild cherry, and alpine mosses. Coniferous forests extend up to a height of 4 km. At this height, there are fewer and fewer trees, they are replaced by field vegetation in the form of grass and shrubs.

Starting 4.5 km above sea level, the Himalayas are a zone of eternal glaciers and snow cover. Animal world also varied. In different parts of the mountainous surroundings you can encounter bears, elephants, antelopes, rhinoceroses, monkeys, goats and many other mammals. There are many snakes and reptiles here, which pose a great danger to people.

The Himalayas are the highest mountain system on Earth. To date, the peak of Chomolungma (Everest) has been conquered about 1200 times. Among them, a 60-year-old man and a thirteen-year-old teenager managed to climb to the very peak, and in 1998 the first person with disabilities reached the peak.

In front of you detailed map Himalayas with names of cities and settlements in Russian. Move the map while holding it with the left mouse button. You can move around the map by clicking on one of the four arrows in the upper left corner. You can change the scale using the scale on the right side of the map or turning the mouse wheel.

In which country is the Himalaya located?

The Himalayas are located in Nepal. This is wonderful a nice place, with its own history and traditions. Coordinates of the Himalayas: north latitude and east longitude (show on large map).

Virtual walk

The “man” figurine above the scale will help you take a virtual walk through the cities of the Himalayas. By clicking and holding the left mouse button, drag it to any place on the map and you will go for a walk, while inscriptions with the approximate address of the area will appear in the upper left corner. Select the direction of movement by clicking on the arrows in the center of the screen. The “Satellite” option at the top left allows you to see a relief image of the surface. In the "Map" mode you will have the opportunity to familiarize yourself in detail with highways Himalayas and main attractions.

The Himalayas are a mountain system considered to be the highest in the world.

“Only mountains can be better than mountains.” Ever since school, everyone knows that the highest mountains in the world, as well as the most picturesque and mysterious, are the Himalayas.

The mythical Shambhala, the mysterious and formidable snowman - this is only a small part of the myths and legends, hidden from us by the eternal white ice of the mountain peaks.

Geographical location and characteristics

The vast area of ​​Central Asia is home to the highest mountain system on the planet - the Himalayas, which translated from Sanskrit means “abode of snow.” They are located on the territory of the following states:

• People's Republic of China (Tibet region);
• Nepal;
• India;
• Pakistan;
• Bangladesh (small part of it).

The mountain range, stretching almost 2,400 km in length, was formed approximately 50-70 million years ago as a result of the movement and collision of the Eurasian and Indo-American tectonic plates. But, despite being so ancient in earthly years, by geological standards these mountains are still young. The process of growth of the Himalayas continues to this day, for example, the highest point on the planet - Mount Chomolungma (Everest) is growing by about 6 cm per year.

The peaks of the Himalayas, sharp as peaks, rise above the Indo-Gangetic valley and consist of three steps:

The Great Himalayas are the highest part of the mountain range, rising 4 km or more above sea level. By the way, in the Himalayas there are 10 of the 14 “eight-thousanders” - mountain peaks whose height exceeds 8 km, as well as the highest point in the world - Mount Qomolungma, as the locals call it Everest, after the name of the surveyor George Everest, who in the mid-19th century determined the exact height of the peak. It was as much as 8848 m.

A little lower, at an altitude of 2-4 km above sea level, there are fertile valleys, for example, Kathmandu and Kashmir, alternating with mountain ranges. These are the so-called Lesser Himalayas. Pre-Himalayas, second name - Siwalik. These are the youngest and lowest elevations in the mountain system, their height does not exceed 2 km.

The area of ​​the ice sheet, located mainly on the slopes of high mountains, is 33 thousand square kilometers. The largest glacier is Gangotri (26 km long), it gives rise to the Ganges, the sacred river of the Hindus. There are also many picturesque alpine lakes in the Himalayas, for example, Lake Tilicho is located at an altitude of 4919 meters!

Himalayas on the map

Rivers

The largest rivers on the planet such as the Indus, Ganges and Brahmaputra originate from the Himalayas and carry their stormy waters.

Climate

Monsoons carrying warm air from the Indian Ocean most years supply the southern slopes of the mountains with life-giving moisture. The same cannot be said about the northern slopes of the Himalayas. The warm southern air is unable to overcome the mountain heights, so there is an arid continental climate.

The air temperature in the mountains reaches -40 degrees Celsius in winter, and wind speeds sometimes reach as much as 150 km/h. The Himalayas rank third on the planet for the amount of snow and ice after the Arctic and Antarctic.

Flora and fauna of the Himalayas

Diversity flora The Himalayas are directly proportional to altitude. At the southern foot of the mountains there are real jungles, which here are called “terai”, a little higher they are replaced by rainforests, then mixed, coniferous, and finally alpine meadows.

meadows in the Himalayas photo

On the drier and more deserted northern slopes, semi-deserts, steppes and mixed forests replace each other. Very valuable tree species grow in the Himalayas, such as dhak and sal trees. The boundaries of the ice sheet are approximately 6 km on the north side and 4.5 km on the south. Above 4 km, tundra-type vegetation is already found - mosses, dwarf shrubs, rhododendrons.

In Nepal there is national park"Sigarmatha" which is the object cultural heritage UNESCO. Here is the highest peak in the world, everyone famous mountain Everest, and two eight-thousander peaks, as well as endemic species (rare and endangered species of animals and plants) such as the snow leopard (irbis), Tibetan fox, Himalayan black bear and others.

Himalayan sheep photo

On the southern side, rhinoceroses, tigers, and leopards live and feel very comfortable. The north is home to bears, antelopes, yaks, wild horses and mountain goats.

Population

It is worth saying a little about the population of this mountainous region, because it is quite diverse. Already 8000 BC these mountains were inhabited by tribes. Ancient Aryans lived in the south, Persian and Turkic peoples lived in the west, and Tibetan tribes lived in the east. They lived in isolated valleys, where they created their own state formations and closed ethnic groups.

In the 19th century, the Himalayas were a possession of the British Empire, and in 1947, they became a zone of military conflict due to the division of India and Pakistan. The population is still engaged in subsistence farming. Cereals are grown on the damp southern slopes, and transhumance is practiced in drier and less fertile areas.

Development and interesting facts

Among all the eight-thousanders, Chomolungma has always been of particular interest. Local tribes did not climb its peaks for a long time, considering the mountain sacred. Everest was first conquered in 1953 by New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Sherpa (Sherpas are a people living in Eastern Nepal) Tenzing Norgay.

The first Soviet expedition took place in 1982. Since 1953, Everest has been conquered more than 3,700 times, however, there are other, sadder statistics - about 570 people died during the ascent. Besides Everest, the Annapurna mountain range is considered the most dangerous “eight-thousander”; the mortality rate among climbers for the entire time since the first ascent is as much as 41%! True, according to statistics for 1990-2008, the most dangerous peak Kanchenjunga (8586 meters above sea level) began to be considered, the mortality rate over these years was 22%.

flora of the Himalayas photo

The Himalayas are becoming more and more “inhabited” areas of the planet every year. The flow of tourists increases from season to season, which entails the development of infrastructure and the entire tourism system as a whole. Not long ago, the authorities of China and Nepal agreed on the development transport communication between their countries through the construction of a railway tunnel. It is expected to pass under the highest peak on the planet - Everest! Preparatory work on this project is already underway.

In 2011, a dinner party was held in the Himalayas at an altitude of 6805 meters! Seven climbers climbed to a record height, taking with them a table, chairs, equipment and food. Lunch still took place, despite the cold and strong wind. Initially, the climbing group wanted to have lunch at an altitude of 7045 meters, but hurricane winds did not allow this.

The Himalayas are a mountain system located in southern Asia. The Himalayas are part of countries such as Nepal, India, Pakistan, Tibet and Bhutan. This mountain range is the highest in the world, reaching an altitude of almost 9,000 meters above sea level. The Himalayas separate the Indian subcontinent from the interior of Asia. The word “Himalaya” itself means “house of snow”.

In the Himalayas, as many as 14 mountains exceed 8,000 meters in height, among them K2, Nanga Parbat and Mount Everest. The height of the latter is 8848 meters, making it the most high mountain in the world. The Himalayas stretch over 1,500 miles (2,400 km) from the Indus Valley in the west to the Brahmaputra Valley in the east. Their width is from 100 to 250 kilometers.

Many mountain peaks are sacred to the people who live in surrounding area Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims come here and pray to God.

How the Himalayas were formed

The Himalayas are among the youngest mountain systems in the world. They were formed when the Indian subcontinent, which was originally part of the southern plate, moved north and crashed into Asia. This movement began about 70 million years ago and continues to this day. The Himalayas are still getting taller, growing by about 7 cm per year. Earthquakes and volcanoes are evidence of the high activity of the region.

Rivers and lakes

Glaciers and permanent snow fields cover the high mountainous regions of the Himalayas. They are the source of streams that flow into two big rivers this region. The Indus flows backward and through Pakistan into the Arabian Sea. The Ganges and Brahmaputra flow east and join in Bangladesh. They form the world's largest river delta.

Climate

Almost every type of climate is found at different altitudes in the mountains. The lower slopes in the south are home to tropical plants and tea. Trees grow up to a height of 4000 meters. Wheat and other cereals grow in more high areas.

The Himalayas influence the climate in both India and Tibet. They form a barrier against the monsoon winds that blow from the Indian Ocean through India. There are heavy rains on the outer side of the mountains, while dry winds blow across the plains of Tibet.

Population

The Himalayas are very sparsely populated due to the harsh climate. Most people live on the low Indian slopes. Many people make their living as Sherpas, guiding tourists and climbers to mountain peaks.

Mountains have been a natural barrier for thousands of years. They stopped people from China and interior parts of Asia from mixing with the Indian population. Genghis Khan, Emperor of the Mongols was stopped from expanding his empire south due to the height of the mountains.

Most of the roads that cross the Himalayas are at an altitude of over 5,000 meters. IN winter period they are covered with snow and almost impassable.

Tourism

Mountaineering has become a major tourism activity in the Himalayan mountains. It started almost at the end of the 19th century when many climbers began climbing the peaks. In 1953, climber Edmund Hillary and a representative of the indigenous Tibetan people, Sherpa Tenzing Norgay, were the first to conquer the most high point our planet - the top of Everest.

The Himalayas abound a huge amount rocky, almost vertical slopes that are very difficult to climb, you have to use all sorts of technical devices in the form of driven hooks, ropes, special ladders and other climbing equipment. Often, rocky ledges alternate with deep cracks, and so much snow settles on the mountain slopes that over time it is compressed and turns into glaciers that close these cracks, which makes walking through these places deadly. It is not uncommon for snow and ice to descend, which, rushing down, turn into huge avalanches, demolishing everything in their path and capable of crushing climbers in seconds.

The air temperature in the Himalayas, when rising in altitude, decreases by about 6 degrees for every 1000 meters. So if at the foot of the mountain in summer the temperature is +25, then at an altitude of 5000 meters it will be about -5.

At altitude, the movements of air masses are usually intensified, often turning into hurricane winds, which makes movement very difficult, and sometimes makes it impossible, especially on the narrow ridges of mountain ranges.

Starting at an altitude of 5,000 meters, the atmosphere contains approximately half the oxygen at sea level to which the human body is accustomed. Lack of oxygen has a detrimental effect on the human body, sharply reduces its physical capabilities and leads to the development of so-called mountain sickness - shortness of breath, dizziness, chills and interruptions in heart function. Therefore, at this altitude, the human body usually needs time to acclimatize.

At an altitude of 6000 meters, the atmosphere is so thin and oxygen-poor that complete acclimatization is no longer possible. No matter what kind of physical activity a person experiences, he begins to slowly suffocate. Climbing to an altitude of 7000 meters is already mortally dangerous for many; at such a height the consciousness begins to become confused and even thinking becomes difficult. The height of 8000 meters is called the “death zone”. Here, even the strongest climbers can survive for only a few days at best. Therefore, all high-altitude ascents are carried out using oxygen breathing apparatus.

But representatives of the Nepalese Sherpa tribe, who permanently live in the Himalayas, feel quite comfortable at altitude and therefore, as soon as the Europeans began to “master” the mountain peaks of the Himalayas, the men of this tribe began to work as guides and porters on expeditions, receiving payment for this. Over time, this became their main profession. By the way, Sherpa Tenzing Norgay, together with Edmund Hillary, were the first to climb the top of the Himalayas - Everest, the highest mountain in the world.

But these sometimes deadly dangers did not stop mountaineering enthusiasts. It took more than one decade for all these peaks to be conquered. Here is a brief chorology of climbing the highest mountains on our planet.

1950, June 3 - Annapurna

French climbers Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal climbed Annapurna Peak, which is 8091 meters high. Anapurna is considered the seventh highest mountain in the world. Located in Nepal, in the Himalayas east of the Gandaki River, which flows through the deepest gorge in the world. The gorge separates Annapurna and another eight-thousander, Dhaulagiri.

Climbing Anapurna is considered one of the most difficult climbs in the world. Moreover, this is the only conquest of an eight-thousander that was accomplished the first time, and moreover, without oxygen apparatus. However, their feat was successful at a high price. Since they were wearing only leather boots, Herzog froze all his toes and, due to the onset of gangrene, the expedition doctor was forced to amputate them. Over the entire period, only 191 people successfully climbed Annapurna, which is less than any other eight-thousanders. Climbing Annapurna is considered the most dangerous, with a mortality rate of 32 percent, like no other eight-thousander.

1953, May 29 - Everest "Qomolungma"

Members of the English expedition, New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Nepalese Norgay Tenzing were the first to conquer Everest, a peak 8848 m high. In Tibetan, this mountain is called Qomolungma, which means “Goddess Mother of Snow.” Her Nepalese name is “Sagarmatha”, that is, “Mother of the Universe”. This is the highest mountain in the world. on the border of Nepal and China.

Everest is a triangular pyramid with three sides and ridges that extend to the northeast, southeast and northwest. The southeastern ridge is gentler and is the most widely used climbing route. It was this route to the top through the Khumbu glacier, the valley of silence, from the foot of Lhotse through the South Col that Hillary and Tenzing blazed for their first ascent. The British first attempted to climb Everest back in 1921. They then could not go from the south side, due to the ban of the Nepalese authorities, and tried to climb from the north, from Tibet. To do this, they had to go around the entire Chomolungma mountain range, traveling more than 400 kilometers to get to the top from China. But the time to go around was lost and the onset of the monsoons did not make it possible to climb. After them, a second attempt along the same route was made in 1924 by British climbers George Leigh Mallory and Andrew Irwin, which was also unsuccessful, ending in the death of both at an altitude of 8500 meters.

Despite its reputation dangerous mountain The commercialization of climbing Everest has made it a very popular tourist attraction over the past few decades. According to the latest data, 5,656 successful ascents of Everest have been made, while 223 people have died. The mortality rate was about 4 percent.

1953, July 3 - Nanga Parbat

The peak is located in the north of Pakistan in the western part of the Himalayas. This is the ninth highest eight-thousander, 8126 meters. This peak has such steep slopes that even snow cannot stand on its top. In Urdu, Nangaparbat means "Bare Mountain". The first to climb the peak was the Austrian climber Hermann Buhl, a member of the German-Austrian Himalayan expedition. I made the ascent alone, without an oxygen apparatus. The ascent time to the top was 17 hours, and the descent time was 41 hours. This was the first successful ascent in 20 years of attempts; 31 climbers had already died there before.

According to the latest data, a total of 335 successful ascents have been made to Nanga Parbat. 68 climbers died. The mortality rate is about 20 percent, making it the third most dangerous eight-thousander.

1954, July 31 - Chogori, "K2", "Dapsang"

The first to summit K2, the second highest peak in the world, were Italian climbers Lino Lacedelli and Achille Compagnoni. Although attempts to conquer K2 began back in 1902.

Chogori Peak or Dapsang Peak is 8611 meters high, located on the Baltoro Muztagh ridge in the Karakoram mountain range, on the border of Pakistan and China. This mountain received the unusual name K2 in the 19th century, when a British expedition measured the heights of the peaks of the Himalayas and Karakoram. Each newly measured peak was given a serial number. K2 was the second mountain they stumbled upon and since then this name has been attached to it for a long time. Locals call this Lamba Pahar, which means " High mountain" Despite the fact that K2 is lower than Everest, it turned out to be more difficult to climb. Over the entire period, there have been only 306 successful ascents on K2. 81 people died while attempting to climb. The mortality rate is about 29 percent. K2 is often called the killer mountain

1954, October 19 - Cho Oyu

The first to climb the peak were members of the Austrian expedition: Herbert Tichy, Joseph Joechler and Sherpa Pazang Dawa Lama. The peak of Cho Oyu is located in the Himalayas, on the border of China and Nepal, in the Mahalangur Himal mountain range of the Qomolangma mountain range, approximately 20 km west of Mount Everest.

Cho Oyu means "Goddess of Turquoise" in Tibetan. It has a height of 8201 meters, it is the sixth highest eight-thousander. A few kilometers west of Cho Oyu is the Nangpa La pass with an altitude of 5716 m. This pass is the passage from Nepal to Tibet, paved by the Sherpas as the only trade route. Because of this pass, many climbers consider Cho Oyu to be the easiest eight-thousander. This is partly true, because all ascents are made from Tibet. But on the Nepal side, the southern wall is so difficult that only a few managed to conquer it.

In total, 3,138 people climbed Cho Oyu safely, more than any other peak except Everest. Mortality is 1%, less than any other. It is considered the safest eight-thousander.

1955, May 15 - Makalu

For the first time, the Frenchmen Jean Cousy and Lionel Terre climbed to the top of Makalu. The ascent to Makalu became the only one in the entire history of conquest of eight-thousanders, when all nine members of the expedition reached the summit, including the senior group of Sherpa guides. This happened not because Makalu is such an easy mountain, but because the weather was extremely good and nothing prevented the climbers from achieving this triumph.

At 8,485 meters, Makalu, the fifth highest mountain in the world, is located just 20 kilometers southeast of Everest. In Tibetan, Makalu means "Big Black". This unusual name was given to this mountain because its slopes are very steep and the snow simply does not hold on them, so it remains bare most of the year.

Defeating Makalu turned out to be quite difficult. In 1954, an American team led by Edmund Hillary, the first person to climb Everest, tried to do this, but they failed. And only the French, after a lot of preparatory work and well-coordinated team work, were able to accomplish this. In total, 361 people successfully climbed Makalu over the entire period, while 31 people died while attempting to climb. The mortality rate for climbing Makalu is about 9 percent.

1955, May 25 - Kanchenjunga

British climbers George Band and Joe Brown were the first to successfully climb Kanchenjunga. Before the ascent, local residents warned the climbers that the Sikkimese god lives on the top of this mountain and should not be disturbed. They refused to accompany the expedition and the British went to the ascent on their own. But either due to superstition, or for some other reason, having climbed to the top, they did not reach the very top a few feet, considering that the peak had been conquered.

Kanchenjunga is located on the border of Nepal and India, approximately 120 kilometers south of Everest. The name "Kanchenjunga" translated from Tibetan means "Treasury of the Five Great Snows". Until 1852, Kanchenjunga was considered the highest mountain in the world. But after Everest and other eight-thousanders were measured, it turned out that it is the third highest peak in the world, its height is 8586 meters.

Another legend existing in Nepal says that Kanchenjunga is a woman mountain. And women are not allowed to attend on pain of death. Of course, climbers are not superstitious people, but nevertheless, only one female climber, an Englishwoman, Ginette Harrison, has ever climbed to its peak. All would be well, but a year and a half later, Ginette Harrison died while climbing Dhaulagiri. Over the entire period, 283 climbers successfully climbed Kanchenjunga. Of those who tried to rise, 40 people died. The lethality of the climb is about 15 percent.

1956, May 9 - Manaslu

The mountain is 8163 meters high, the eighth highest eight-thousander. There have been several attempts to climb this peak. For the first time in 1952, when, in addition to the British, the Swiss and French teams took the lead in conquering Everest, the Japanese decided to first conquer the Manaslu peak, located in Nepal about 35 kilometers east of Annapurna. They scouted out all the approaches and mapped out the route. The following year, 1953, we began the ascent. But the blizzard broke all their plans and they were forced to retreat.

When they returned in 1954, the local Nepalese took up arms against them, citing the fact that the Japanese had desecrated the gods and aroused their anger, because after the departure of the previous expedition, misfortune befell their village: there was an epidemic, a crop failure, a temple collapsed and three priests died. Armed with sticks and stones, they drove the Japanese away from the mountain. To settle matters with local residents, in 1955, a special delegation arrived from Japan. And only the following 1956, having paid 7,000 rupees for damages and 4,000 rupees for the construction of a new temple and having organized a big holiday for the village population, the Japanese received permission to climb. Thanks to beautiful weather, Japanese climber Toshio Imanishi and Sirdar Sherpa Gyaltsen Norbu climbed the peak on May 9. Manaslu remains one of the most dangerous eight-thousanders. In total there were 661 successful ascents of Manaslu, sixty-five climbers died during the ascent. The lethality of ascents is about 10 percent.

1956, May 18 - Lhotse

Fritz Luchsinger and Ernst Reiss, members of a Swiss team, became the first people to climb the 8,516-metre Lhotse peak, the fourth highest peak in the world.

Lhotse Peak is located on the border of Nepal and China, a few kilometers south of Everest. These two peaks are connected by a vertical ridge, the so-called South Col, whose entire height is above 8000 meters. Typically, ascents are carried out along the western, gentler slope. But in 1990, the Soviet Union team rose to south side, previously considered completely inaccessible, since it is a 3300-meter almost vertical wall. A total of 461 successful ascents have been made on Lhotse. Over the entire period, 13 climbers died there, the mortality rate is about 3 percent.

1956 July 8 - Gasherbrum II

The peak is 8034 meters high, the thirteenth highest mountain in the world. For the first time, Austrian climbers Fritz Moravec, Josef Larch and Hans Willenpart climbed Gasherbrum II. They climbed to the summit along the south side along the southwest ridge. Before ascending to the peak itself, rising to a height of 7,500 meters, they set up a temporary camp for the night, and then launched an assault early in the morning. This was a completely new, untested approach to rock climbing, which was subsequently used by climbers from many countries.

Gasherbrum II is the second of four Gasherbrum peaks in the Karakoram on the Pakistan-China border, approximately 10 kilometers southeast of K2. The Baltoro Muztagh ridge, which includes Gasherbrum II, is known for the longest glacier of the Karakoram, more than 62 kilometers long. This was the reason that many climbers descended almost from the very top of Gasherbrum II on skis, snowboards and even with a parachute. Gasherbrum II is considered one of the safest and easiest eight-thousanders. 930 climbers successfully climbed Gasherbrum II and only 21 people died in unsuccessful attempts to climb. The mortality rate of ascents is about 2 percent.

1957, June 9 - Broad Peak

The mountain is 8051 meters high, the twelfth highest eight-thousander. The Germans first tried to climb Broad Peak in 1954, but due to low temperatures and stormy winds, their efforts were unsuccessful. The first to climb the peak were Austrian climbers Fritz Wintersteller, Markus Schmuck and Kurt Dimberger. The ascent was carried out along the southwestern side. The expedition did not use the services of porters and all the property was lifted by the participants themselves, which was quite difficult.

Broad Peak or "Jangiyang" is located on the border between China and Pakistan, a few kilometers southeast of K2. This area is still little studied and geographers hope that over time it can gain sufficient popularity. Over the entire period, there have been 404 successful ascents of Broad Peak. They were unsuccessful for 21 climbers who died while attempting to climb. The lethality of ascents is about 5 percent.

1958, July 5 - Gasherbrum I "Hidden Peak"

Mountain 8080 meters high. The top refers mountain range Gasherbrum - Karakorum. Attempts to climb Hidden Peak began a long time ago. In 1934, members of an international expedition were only able to rise to a height of 6300 meters. In 1936, French climbers reached the 6,900-meter mark. And only two years later, Americans Andrew Kaufman and Pete Schoening climb to the top of Hidden Peak.

Gasherbrum I or Hidden Peak, the eleventh highest eight-thousander in the world, one of the seven peaks of the Gasherbrum massif is located in Kashmir in the Pakistan-controlled Northern Region on the border with China. Gasherbrum is translated from the local language as “Polished Wall”, and it fully corresponds to this name. Due to its steep, almost polished, rocky slopes, climbing it was rejected by many. A total of 334 people successfully summited the peak, while 29 climbers died while attempting the summit. Climbing mortality rate is about 9 percent.

1960, May 13 - Dhaulagiri I

“White Mountain” is 8167 meters high, the seventh highest of the eight-thousanders. The first to reach the summit were members of the European team: Dimberger, Shelbert, Diener, Forer and Sherpas Nyima and Nawang. For the first time, an airplane was used to transport expedition members and equipment. On " White Mountain“The French, participants in the 1950 expedition, drew attention back in 1950. But then it seemed inaccessible to them and they switched to Annapurna.

Dhaulagiri I is located in Nepal, 13 kilometers from Annapurna, and the Argentines tried to climb to its peak back in 1954. But due to a strong snowstorm, we didn’t reach the top by only 170 meters. Although Dhaulagiri is only the sixth highest by Himalayan standards, it is quite a tough nut to crack. So in 1969, while attempting to climb, the Americans left seven of their comrades on the southeastern ridge. In total, 448 people successfully climbed to the top of Dhaulagiri I, but 69 climbers died in unsuccessful attempts. The lethality of ascents is about 16 percent.

1964, May 2 - Shishabangma

The peak with a height of 8027 meters. Eight Chinese climbers were the first to conquer Shishabangma: Xiu Jing, Zhang Zhongyan, Wang Fuzhou, Zhen San, Zheng Tianliang, Wu Zongyue, Sodnam Dozhi, Migmar Trashi, Dozhi, Yonten. For a long time, climbing this peak was prohibited by the Chinese authorities. And only after the Chinese themselves climbed to its peak, did it become possible for foreign climbers to participate in the climbs.

The Shishabangma mountain range, in Chinese “Geosenzhanfeng”, in Indian “Gosaintan”, is located in China in the Tibet Autonomous Region, a few kilometers from the Nepalese border. It consists of three peaks, two of which are higher than 8 kilometers. Shishabangma Main 8027 meters and Shishabangma Central 8008 meters. The ascent to the main peak is included in the “All 14 Eight-Thousanders of the World” program. In total there were 302 successful ascents of Shishabangu. Twenty-five people died trying to reach the summit. The mortality rate of ascents is about 8 percent.

As can be seen from the chronology of ascents to highest peaks The Himalayas took more than 40 years to conquer. Moreover, according to the analysis of the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, the most dangerous of all are: Annapurna, K2, and Nanga Parbat. On the ascents of these three peaks, the Himalayas took the life of every fourth person who encroached on their inaccessibility.

And yet, despite all these mortal dangers, there are people who have conquered all eight-thousanders. The first of them was Reinhold Messner, an Italian climber, a German by nationality from South Tyrol. And although already during the first ascent of Nanga Parbat in 1970, his brother Gunther died, and he himself lost seven toes; During the second ascent of Manaslu in 1972, his teammate died, this did not stop him. From 1970 to 1986, he climbed all 14 of Zamli's highest peaks one after another. Moreover, he climbed Everest twice, in 1978, together with Peter Habeler, along the classic route through the South Col, and in 1980 alone along northern route, and during the monsoon season. Both ascents did not use oxygen apparatus.

In total, there are now 32 people in the world who have conquered all 14 eight-thousanders, and these are probably not the last people who are waiting for the Himalayas.