There are 14 mountains on earth, all in central Asia, whose peaks are over eight thousand meters above sea level. Collectively these are known as the Eight-Thousanders, and are considered the ultimate challenge amongst mountaineers. 33 people have ascended all 14 peaks, of which 15 have completed the feat without oxygen tanks. To add an even greater challenge, some have attempted winter ascents, when conditions are even more unpredictable and harsh. At present, all of the Eight-Thousanders have been climbed in winter except K2. The extreme difficulty of climbing K2 has given it the nickname 'Savage Mountain'. One in five people who attempt to climb it die. Though there is still one mountain with a higher death rate: Annapurna. Although it has been ascended in winter, Annapurna has the highest death rate of any mountain: a shocking one in three who attempt the climb die. The south face of Annapurna is considered by some the most dangerous climb on earth. It should come as no surprise, therefore, that of the Eight-Thousanders Annapurna has been successfully ascended by the fewest number of climbers: 191 (in comparison with 306 for K2, and 5656 for Everest).
Bonus:
The 3rd highest mountain on earth, Kangchenjunga, lies partially in what was the ancient Kingdom of Sikkim (now part of India). When it was first climbed in 1955 the Chogyal (King) of Sikkim requested that climbers stop short of the summit, so that the sanctity of the mountain would remain intact. This request is still honoured today, meaning that technically nobody has stepped food on the exact summit of Kangchenjunga.
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