How Challenging and Expensive is it to Climb All 14 Peaks Above 8,000 Meters?

There are only 14 mountains in the world that stand over 8,000 meters tall, yet the obsession to conquer them goes back more than 100 years.

At altitudes above 8,000 meters, in what is called the “Death Zone,” not only does the game of mountaineering change, but basic human principles often take a back seat. Here, climbers face the raw power of nature, where death awaits in the form of bone-chilling cold, skin-piercing winds, and lethal avalanches.

If a climber finds themselves in trouble at such heights without strong companions nearby, they are often left to die.

In the world of mountaineering, no one is more respected than Reinhold Messner. It took him 16 years to summit all 14 of these peaks.

Reinhold believes that conquering even one 8,000-meter peak is a monumental achievement, and that one lifetime is not enough to summit all 14.

Nevertheless, over 50 climbers worldwide have managed to achieve this near-impossible feat, including two young Pakistani climbers, Shehroze Kashif and Sirbaz Khan.

Thirty-seven-year-old Sirbaz Khan became the first Pakistani to summit all 14 peaks on October 3, 2024, when he reached the top of Shishapangma, the 14th highest peak in the world at 8,027 meters in China. Six days later, 22-year-old Shehroze Kashif, known as the “Broad Boy,” became the youngest Pakistani to achieve the same honor.

On the same day, 18-year-old Nepali climber Nima Rinji Sherpa set the world record for being the youngest climber to summit all 14 of the world’s highest peaks. The previous record was held by Nepal’s Mingma Gyabu David Sherpa, who completed the feat at the age of 30 years and 166 days.

It’s important to note that although Nima is the youngest climber to summit all 14 peaks, he does not hold the record for doing it in the shortest time. That record belongs to Nepal’s Nirmal Purja, who summited all 14 peaks in just six months and six days (from April to October 2019).

In this article, we explore why summiting these 14 peaks is such a dream for climbers, so much so that they risk their lives.

Where Are the World’s 14 Tallest Peaks Located?

The 14 tallest peaks in the world, in order, are:

• Everest (8,849 meters)
• K2 (8,611 meters)
• Kangchenjunga (8,586 meters)
• Lhotse (8,516 meters)
• Makalu (8,485 meters)
• Cho Oyu (8,188 meters)
• Dhaulagiri I (8,167 meters)
• Manaslu (8,163 meters)
• Nanga Parbat (8,126 meters)
• Annapurna I (8,091 meters)
• Gasherbrum I (8,080 meters)
• Broad Peak (8,051 meters)
• Gasherbrum II (8,034 meters)
• Shishapangma (8,027 meters)

Here’s where they are located:

• China: Shishapangma
• Pakistan and China: K2, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum I, Gasherbrum II
• Nepal and China: Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu
• Nepal: Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Annapurna
• Nepal and India: Kangchenjunga
• Pakistan: Nanga Parbat

Why is Summiting These Peaks Every Climber’s Dream?

In the documentary 14 Peaks, legendary mountaineer Reinhold Messner states that when you ask climbers today why they want to summit all 14 peaks, they respond, “Because it’s fun.” But, he says, “there’s no fun in it—climbing is painful, and above 8,000 meters, you have to learn to endure pain.”

Nepal’s Gelje Sherpa, who has summited all 14 peaks, and was part of the team that made the first winter ascent of K2, says, “Some climbers are driven by adventure, while others are motivated by the desire to set records.”

Pakistani climber Naila Kiani, who has summited 11 peaks, says that while summiting even one peak is a huge achievement, summiting all 14 is considered equivalent to winning an Olympic gold medal in mountaineering.

How Expensive is the Dream of Summiting 14 Peaks?

The dream of summiting all 14 peaks is far from cheap, with costs including permits, visas, flight tickets, accommodation, transport, climbing gear, and oxygen cylinders.

According to Sonu Sherpa, who has been in the profession for 18 years, climbing any of the 8,000-meter peaks requires at least two to three Sherpa guides, who can be quite expensive.

In Nepal, the total cost for summiting all 14 peaks can amount to about 20 million Pakistani Rupees (PKR).

Naila Kiani explains that even the so-called “cheaper” peaks can cost around $15,000-$20,000 for the expedition alone, with the total cost including equipment often reaching $40,000.

Which Peak is the Most Difficult to Summit?

Based on the number of fatalities, K2, Annapurna, and Nanga Parbat are considered the most challenging peaks. However, each climber’s experience can vary depending on weather and terrain, which change year to year.

For Naila Kiani, the most challenging was Gasherbrum I, where the weather deteriorated rapidly, and they were left with just three climbers. She notes that having more climbers can make an expedition easier.

Sherpa Sanu considers Annapurna and Shishapangma to be the most difficult, while K2 and Nanga Parbat are seen as very technical and dangerous.

Which Peak is the Easiest to Climb?

Sherpa Sanu believes the easiest is Cho Oyu, followed by Manaslu and Makalu. These peaks are less technical and pose fewer risks of avalanches.

For Naila, the easiest peak was Nanga Parbat, as the weather was favorable, and she felt mentally and physically strong.

Which Country Poses the Most Challenges for Climbers?

Most climbers agree that Nepal is the easiest in terms of permits, visas, and climbing infrastructure, with visa-on-arrival available to most nationalities.

Pakistan is considered more challenging, with climbers often waiting 40 days for visas, followed by additional delays for permits and security clearances.

China is viewed as the most difficult, with frequent closures of mountains, leaving climbers stranded.