Collection
The eight-thousanders
Fourteen mountains rise above 8,000 metres above sea level. This launch collection covers the peaks currently present in the verified Giant Mountains dataset and explains why route character, prominence and expedition complexity matter alongside elevation.
What qualifies as an eight-thousander
An eight-thousander is a mountain whose accepted summit elevation exceeds 8,000 metres above sea level. The label is useful because the physiological demands of prolonged exposure become extreme at these elevations, but the category does not imply that all fourteen mountains have comparable routes or comparable technical difficulty.
Eight-thousanders in the launch dataset
| Mountain | Elevation | Prominence | Range | Activity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Everest | 8,849 m | 8,849 m | Mahalangur Himal, Himalaya | High-altitude expedition climbing |
| K2 | 8,611 m | 4,017 m | Karakoram | Highly technical expedition climbing |
| Kangchenjunga | 8,586 m | 3,922 m | Himalaya | High-altitude expedition climbing |
| Lhotse | 8,516 m | 610 m | Mahalangur Himal, Himalaya | High-altitude expedition climbing |
| Makalu | 8,485 m | 2,386 m | Mahalangur Himal, Himalaya | Highly technical expedition climbing |
| Cho Oyu | 8,188 m | 2,340 m | Mahalangur Himal, Himalaya | High-altitude expedition climbing |
| Dhaulagiri I | 8,167 m | 3,357 m | Dhaulagiri Himal, Himalaya | High-altitude expedition climbing |
| Manaslu | 8,163 m | 3,092 m | Mansiri Himal, Himalaya | High-altitude expedition climbing |
| Nanga Parbat | 8,126 m | 4,608 m | Himalaya | Highly technical expedition climbing |
| Annapurna I | 8,091 m | 2,984 m | Annapurna Himal, Himalaya | Highly technical expedition climbing |
| Gasherbrum I | 8,080 m | 2,155 m | Karakoram | High-altitude expedition climbing |
| Broad Peak | 8,051 m | 1,701 m | Karakoram | High-altitude expedition climbing |
| Gasherbrum II | 8,035 m | 1,524 m | Karakoram | High-altitude expedition climbing |
| Shishapangma | 8,027 m | 2,897 m | Jugal Himal, Himalaya | High-altitude expedition climbing |
Elevation and prominence tell different stories
Lhotse is one of the highest summits on Earth but has much less topographic prominence than Everest because the South Col connects the two mountains at very high elevation. Nanga Parbat, by contrast, has exceptional local relief and a much larger prominence value. These differences do not make one route safer or easier; they describe the shape and independence of the mountain.
Why route descriptions matter
Cho Oyu is often described as comparatively moderate by eight-thousander standards, while K2, Makalu, Annapurna I and Nanga Parbat are associated with steeper or more objectively hazardous terrain on their commonly attempted lines. Those descriptions are relative. Every ascent above 8,000 metres involves severe altitude exposure, uncertain weather and expedition-scale consequences.
How Giant Mountains handles changing information
Seasonal access, permits, route conditions and expedition rules can change. The mountain profiles therefore separate stable geographic facts from changing access information and direct visitors to current authorities for decisions that depend on the present season.