169:, in Tibet, sitting at 3,650 m (11,980 ft) has been permanently occupied since the 7th century and many smaller settlements across the Greater Himalaya thrive at elevations exceeding 4,000 m (13,000 ft). With humans living at high elevations for many millennia, nearby peaks to such settlements may or may not have been summited at some point in the past. However, many regions away from settlements may never have been explored, especially since some high peaks in the
202:
121:
305:, have no record of successful ascents. The unclimbed status of each of these peaks is difficult to confirm, although Mount Siple in particular is remote, uninhabited (and without any nearby habitation), and seldom visited. The most recent summiting of a formerly unclimbed most prominent mountain (with a prominence of 12,169 ft, 3,709 m) was on June 25, 2014 when Petter Bjørstad and four others climbed Mount Boising in the
20:
245:
232:. In Bhutan, the climbing of mountains higher than 6,000 m (20,000 ft) has been prohibited since 1994. The rationale for this prohibition is based on local customs that consider this and similar peaks to be the sacred homes of protective deities and spirits, and the lack of high-altitude rescue resources from any locale closer than
106:
Additionally, since climbing tall mountains is usually a major undertaking and climbers are attracted to climbing the tallest ones, lower peaks (even if they are very formidable) simply get less attention, and instead the taller peaks are summited again, by parties following a new route, or perhaps
42:
to the top. Determining which unclimbed peak is highest is often a matter of controversy. In some parts of the world, surveying and mapping are still unreliable. There are no comprehensive records of the routes of explorers, mountaineers, and local inhabitants. In some cases, even modern ascents by
252:
It is unclear which is the highest unclimbed non-prohibited mountain. While some recognize only peaks with 100 m (330 ft) of topographical prominence as individual summits, the
International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation uses a 30 m (98 ft) cutoff for determining
159:
It can be difficult sometimes to determine whether or not a mountain peak has been fully summited. Long before modern mountaineering commenced in the middle of the 19th century, evidence indicates that people did indeed travel up to the summits or near to the summits of major mountain peaks.
63:". Many virgin peaks exist because no one has had access to that mountain due to its geographic isolation or political instability. Some are off limits due to religious beliefs in that country or region which hold that a certain mountain is sacred and should remain inviolate. Of those,
129:
Many mountains, in addition to their highest point or peak, also have subpeaks. There is no universally accepted way of deciding when a subpeak is distinct enough to be classified as a mountain in its own right; therefore, any list of the world's mountains is subject to dispute. The
164:
have shown that humans traveled up to 6,739 m (22,110 ft) in prehistoric times. Permanent settlements as high as 4,500 m (14,800 ft) were established as far back as 12,000 years ago in the Andes. In the
Greater Himalaya region,
277:
Unclimbed candidates with high topographic prominence are by definition independent mountains, but some have relatively modest elevations. With such peaks, there is a greater possibility of undocumented ascents, perhaps occurring long ago.
55:
in the world that has not been fully summited. Gangkhar
Puensum has been off limits to climbers since 1994 when Bhutan prohibited all mountaineering above 6,000 m (20,000 ft) due to spiritual/religious beliefs.
43:
larger parties have been poorly documented and, with no universally recognized listing, the best that can be achieved in determining the world's highest unclimbed peaks is somewhat speculative. Most sources indicate that
236:. The prohibition was further expanded in 2003 when mountaineering of any kind was disallowed entirely within Bhutan. Gangkhar Puensum will likely remain unclimbed so long as the government of Bhutan prohibits it.
184:
the first climbers of the peak agreed to honor the wishes of locals and not set foot on the topmost part of the mountain. Succeeding mountaineering parties may (or may not) have followed this tradition. Similarly,
124:
Figure 1. Vertical arrows show the topographic prominence of three peaks on an island. The dashed horizontal lines show the lowest contours that do not encircle higher peaks. Curved arrows point from a peak to its
134:
of each apex and the general topography of the area both come into consideration when determining their status. Although objective criteria have been proposed, there is no widely agreed standard. In 1994, the
143:
whose summits were at least 4,000 m (13,000 ft) above sea level and with at least 30 m (98 ft) of topographic prominence over any adjacent
136:
1123:
While
Jurgalski listed this peak, also known as Masherbrum Far West, as unclimbed in August 2018, there is a report of a first ascent in September 1988.
1391:
908:
193:
had only one summit attempt back in 1957 when climbers came within 150 m (490 ft) of the summit; Nepal then banned future attempts.
1368:
1414:
1036:
1455:
1114:
Jurgalski considers the unclimbed peak known as "Apsarasis III" just higher than "Apsarasis I" (7241 m), which was climbed in 1976.
321:
The following peaks, with a minimum prominence of 150 m (490 ft), were thought to be unclimbed as of August 2018.
181:
1090:
1475:
1095:
1351:
1244:
1204:
189:
has also been climbed but the topmost summit was not ascended and the primary summit is now off limits to climbers.
229:
166:
290:
75:
of China, with an altitude of 6,638 m (21,778 ft) is one of the most prominent. It lies in the
1441:
1151:
1221:
285:(3,840 m or 12,600 ft, prominence of 3,252 m or 10,669 ft), the high point in the
83:, in the western part of the Tibetan Plateau. Mount Kailash is considered sacred in four religions:
1480:
1269:
1173:
72:
48:
173:
are so remote that they were unknown to local inhabitants until they were sighted by explorers.
1418:
216:
The mountain most widely claimed to be the highest unclimbed mountain in the world in terms of
131:
478:
262:
8:
1292:
1329:
Asian Sacred
Natural Sites: Philosophy and practice in protected areas and conservation
1197:
Inca
Rituals and Sacred Mountains: A Study of the World's Highest Archaeological Sites
1347:
1200:
978:
724:
632:
520:
374:
310:
306:
269:(7,221 m or 23,691 ft with a prominence of 895 m or 2,936 ft).
221:
206:
100:
68:
44:
297:(3,110 m or 10,200 ft, prominence of 3,110 m or 10,200 ft) on
919:
915:
780:
265:(7,250 m, 23,790 ft) with prominence of 570 m (1,870 ft) and
430:
286:
170:
39:
1469:
1020:
866:
662:
606:
400:
282:
177:
144:
103:
there are annual pilgrimages to see it, but setting foot on it is forbidden.
80:
76:
64:
23:
1147:
1073:
752:
546:
298:
190:
201:
1045:
1041:
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504:
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individual summits. Unclimbed summits include one on the massif known as
120:
948:
851:
694:
302:
186:
994:
808:
217:
893:
563:
462:
445:
266:
248:
A secondary summit of Kabru is one of the tallest that is unclimbed
88:
84:
52:
107:
during the winter when conditions are generally more treacherous.
1327:
Verschuuren, Bas (2016). "Nye within protected areas of Bhutan".
92:
19:
1369:"What's The World's Highest Mountain That's Never Been Climbed"
225:
210:
35:
254:
233:
161:
1222:"Oldest High-Altitude Human Settlement Discovered in Andes"
1176:. UIAA-International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation
140:
244:
148:
96:
1456:"AAC Publications - Asia, Pakistan, Masherbrum Far West"
239:
1442:"High Asia – All mountains and main peaks above 6750 m"
1293:"Gankarpunzum & First Ascent Of Liankang Kangri"
137:
International
Climbing and Mountaineering Federation
1392:"7 of the Tallest Unclimbed Mountains in the World"
154:
1322:
1320:
316:
180:, has been summited a number of times, but on the
59:Unclimbed mountains are sometimes referred to as "
1467:
272:
1417:(in Norwegian). Bergens Tidende. Archived from
1317:
1270:"The Four Forbidden Mountains in the Himalayas"
1194:
1346:. Macmillan International Higher Education.
1326:
1195:Reinhard, Johan; Ceruti, Constanza (2010).
257:(7,318 m or 24,009 ft prominence
115:
110:
946:
692:
660:
428:
1439:
1342:Mason, Colin (2014). "Nepal and Bhutan".
224:(7,570 m, 24,840 ft). It is in
1366:
324:Mountains with prominence over 300 m in
243:
200:
119:
18:
1389:
1383:
1245:"Where are the world's highest cities?"
1142:
1140:
26:is off limits due to religious beliefs.
1468:
1440:Jurgalski, Eberhald (17 August 2018).
1284:
47:(7,570 metres, 24,840 ft) on the
1341:
1290:
1219:
1152:"The mountains we have never climbed"
1146:
240:Highest unclimbed non-prohibited peak
1242:
1137:
1091:List of mountain peaks by prominence
139:classified 82 mountain peaks in the
16:Summit never reached by mountaineers
1166:
291:border between Kazakhstan and China
196:
13:
1412:
1367:Jennings, Ken (14 December 2015).
1243:Gill, Nicholas (8 February 2016).
1199:. Institute of Archaeology Press.
1096:List of highest mountains on Earth
160:Archaeological excavations in the
14:
1492:
1291:Itami, Tsuguyasu (October 2001).
1390:Newcomb, Tim (19 January 2018).
176:The world's third-tallest peak,
155:Verification of unclimbed status
1448:
1433:
1406:
1360:
1117:
1108:
317:List of highest unclimbed peaks
1335:
1262:
1236:
1220:Ghose, Tia (23 October 2014).
1213:
1188:
947:
693:
661:
429:
1:
1130:
273:Most prominent unclimbed peak
258:
228:, on or near the border with
99:. Because of its status as a
1272:. Climb Report. 6 March 2016
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261:100 m or 330 ft),
79:(GangdisĂŞ Mountains) of the
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1476:History of mountaineering
1174:"Mountain Classification"
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116:Definition of a mountain
111:Challenges in definition
1344:A Short History of Asia
73:Tibet Autonomous Region
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151:, as a distinct peak.
132:topographic prominence
126:
27:
963:Annapurna Dakshin NE
263:Labuche Kang III/East
247:
204:
123:
22:
1300:Japanese Alpine News
413:Kunyang Chhish West
209:from Gophu La pass,
67:, a mountain in the
1394:. Popular Mechanics
910:Mandu Kangri ?
765:Chongtar Kangri NE
645:Skyang Kangri West
49:Bhutan–China border
677:Yermanendu Kangri
250:
214:
127:
38:that has not been
32:unclimbed mountain
28:
1421:on 18 August 2016
1415:"Først på toppen"
1082:
1081:
979:Annapurna Dakshin
301:off the coast of
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737:Namcha Barwa II
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633:Gangkhar Puensum
521:Apsarasas Kangri
434:
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375:Gangkhar Puensum
331:
330:
311:Papua New Guinea
307:Finisterre Range
260:
222:Gangkhar Puensum
207:Gangkhar Puensum
197:Gangkhar Puensum
69:Ngari Prefecture
45:Gangkhar Puensum
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1150:(4 July 2014).
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1128:
1127:
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1118:
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1109:
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868:Praqpa Kangri I
856:Pakistan/China
826:Urdok Kangri II
781:Chongtar Kangri
479:Lapche Kang III
319:
281:As of mid-2014
275:
242:
199:
182:1955 expedition
157:
118:
113:
101:sacred mountain
51:is the tallest
17:
12:
11:
5:
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1481:Highest things
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1413:Kvamme, Lars.
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1224:. Live Science
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431:Kunyang Chhish
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171:Greater Ranges
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1353:9781137340634
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1206:9781931745765
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1148:Nuwer, Rachel
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1025:Bhutan/China
1024:
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1021:Tongshanjiabu
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709:Chamar South
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663:Skyang Kangri
659:
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637:Bhutan/China
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607:Tongshanjiabu
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81:Transhimalaya
78:
77:Kailash Range
74:
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65:Mount Kailash
62:
57:
54:
50:
46:
41:
37:
36:mountain peak
33:
25:
24:Mount Kailash
21:
1450:
1435:
1423:. Retrieved
1419:the original
1408:
1396:. Retrieved
1385:
1373:. Retrieved
1371:. Conde Nast
1362:
1343:
1337:
1331:. Routledge.
1328:
1307:. Retrieved
1303:
1299:
1286:
1274:. Retrieved
1264:
1252:. Retrieved
1249:The Guardian
1248:
1238:
1226:. Retrieved
1215:
1196:
1190:
1178:. Retrieved
1168:
1156:. Retrieved
1119:
1110:
1074:Namcha Barwa
1068:
1063:
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753:Namcha Barwa
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547:Teram Kangri
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299:Siple Island
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191:Machapuchare
175:
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128:
105:
61:virgin peaks
60:
58:
31:
29:
1180:14 February
1158:14 February
1040: [
914: [
793:Asapurna I
591:Kula Kangri
505:Lapche Kang
343:Prominence
295:Mount Siple
1470:Categories
1131:References
949:Masherbrum
852:Sia Kangri
695:Masherbrum
303:Antarctica
287:Saur Range
205:Summit of
187:Nanda Devi
995:Teri Kang
955:Pakistan
898:Pakistan
809:Annapurna
701:Pakistan
669:Pakistan
467:Pakistan
437:Pakistan
349:Location
218:elevation
1398:14 March
1375:14 March
1309:14 March
1276:16 March
1254:14 March
1228:14 March
1085:See also
1037:Sanglung
894:Skilbrum
564:Karjiang
463:Skilbrum
446:Summa Ri
267:Karjiang
89:Buddhism
85:Hinduism
53:mountain
1425:16 July
346:Parent
340:Height
289:on the
125:parent.
93:Jainism
40:climbed
1350:
1203:
1078:China
983:Nepal
969:23379
814:Nepal
799:23425
785:China
771:23442
757:China
743:23445
729:Nepal
725:Chamar
715:23494
683:23501
651:23537
595:China
552:India
509:China
453:23957
419:24114
293:, and
226:Bhutan
211:Bhutan
1296:(PDF)
1154:. BBC
1102:Notes
1059:23278
1048:]
1006:23376
966:7126
932:23383
922:]
879:23406
837:23415
796:7140
768:7145
740:7146
712:7161
680:7163
648:7174
618:23645
576:23691
532:23763
490:23786
450:7302
416:7350
386:24836
337:Peak
334:Rank
255:Kabru
234:India
230:China
167:Lhasa
162:Andes
34:is a
1427:2014
1400:2018
1377:2018
1348:ISBN
1311:2018
1278:2018
1256:2018
1230:2018
1201:ISBN
1182:2018
1160:2018
1069:3264
1054:7095
1016:1490
1001:7125
975:495
972:151
942:2067
927:7127
889:2192
874:7134
847:1053
832:7137
805:860
802:262
777:673
774:205
749:545
746:166
721:719
718:219
689:535
686:163
657:636
654:194
628:5764
623:1757
613:7207
586:2936
571:7221
542:1991
527:7243
500:1870
485:7250
459:807
456:246
425:663
422:202
396:9826
391:2995
381:7570
326:bold
141:Alps
95:and
1064:995
1011:454
960:17
937:630
884:668
842:321
790:13
762:12
734:11
706:10
581:895
537:607
495:570
363:ft
357:ft
309:of
220:is
149:col
147:or
97:Bon
30:An
1472::
1319:^
1302:.
1298:.
1247:.
1139:^
1046:de
1044:;
1042:ca
1031:19
989:18
920:de
918:;
916:cs
904:16
862:15
820:14
811:I
674:9
642:8
549:I
442:3
410:2
360:m
354:m
328:.
313:.
259:c.
91:,
87:,
71:,
1458:.
1444:.
1429:.
1402:.
1379:.
1356:.
1313:.
1304:1
1280:.
1258:.
1232:.
1209:.
1184:.
1162:.
601:7
566:I
558:6
515:5
473:4
369:1
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