Why aren’t all mountains meant to be climbed?
The world has many mountains that reach out and almost touch the sky. From Everest to K2—many mountains are daring the bravest souls to ascend them. Some of these mountains remain untouched—not because they are too high or dangerous, but because they are considered holy and worshipped. In contrast, others have mystery or taboo associated with them. They are — untouched, unclaimed, and unbeaten. No one dares to climb these sacred, forbidden, and perilous peaks across the globe —not because they cannot, but because they do not wish to do so.
1. Gangkhar Puensum, Bhutan – 7,570 meters (24,836 feet) — the most sacred unclimbed peak
Outlining the border between Bhutan and China, Gangkhar Puensum is the world’s highest unclimbed mountain. It is not just physically impossible to climb. Still, all mountaineering activity has been banned by the Bhutanese government since 1994 because the people in Bhutan consider it a holy mountain and abode of guardian deities and spirits. The commonly held belief among the Bhutanese people is – how can you set foot on the mountain you worship? This is why, unlike Everest, Gangkhar Puensum remains untouched by human feet.
2. Machapuchare, Nepal — 6,993 meters (22,943 feet) – the mountain nobody can summit
Though technically possible to climb, Machapuchare or “Fishtail Mountain,” in Nepal’s Annapurna Himal, remains unclimbed because it is considered the home of Lord Shiva.
According to legend, Wilfrid Noyce a British climber abandoned his climb about 150 meters from the top and turned back in 1957 out of respect for local beliefs. Since then the Nepal government does not grant permits to climbers wanting to set foot on the fabled twin-peaked summit in the Annapurna Range.
3. Mount Kailash, Tibet — 6,638 meters (21,778 feet) – the heaven on earth
Mount Kailash is neither the tallest, nor the most treacherous or unclimbable mountain but remains out-of-bound because it is considered sacred by Hindus, Buddhists, and Jains who consider it as the earthly abode of Lord Shiva and the spiritual centre of the world. According to popularly held belief Reinhold Messner, one of the world’s greatest alpinists, was offered a permit to climb it in the 1980s—but he declined, saying, “If we conquer this mountain, then we conquer something in people’s souls.” Since then the mountain has never been climbed – a rare humility in a field driven by conquest. Kailash reminds us that sometimes, the greatest respect we can show nature is to leave it alone.
4. Ulvetanna Peak, Antarctica – 2,930 meters (9,613 feet) — a peak even experts dare not defy
Located deep within the Orvin Mountains, Ulvetanna Peak (Norwegian for “Wolf’s Tooth”) – in Queen Maud Land, Antarctica is one of the most forbidding and least-climbed mountains in the world for several compelling reasons. It is inaccessible by normal means — climbers have to a remote base camp and use specialized transport (like snowmobiles or ski-equipped aircraft) to even approach the mountain. The Katabatic winds in this region are among the strongest on Earth. Temperatures can drop below -40°C and storms can hit without warning.
Ulvetanna is not just a peak — it’s a towering granite spire with sheer vertical walls. The rock is brittle and icy, requiring elite big-wall alpine climbing techniques. Routes involve dangerous mixed climbing — a blend of ice and rock requiring expert-level skill. Rescue is virtually impossible in case of emergency. There is no local support infrastructure, no nearby settlements, and no reliable emergency evacuation plan. This means climbers must be self-sufficient and carry everything — from fuel to medical supplies. The extreme isolation, dangerous weather, and ultra-technical climbing make it a peak that most climbers avoid. This limits casual or frequent attempts and raises the cost and complexity of any climb.
5. Mount Siple, Antarctica — 3,110 meters (10,200 feet) — a true terra incognita in mountaineering
Although technically “climbable,” Mount Siple (a shield volcano with gradual slopes) on Siple Island, surrounded by the Ross Sea remains a major mountain on Earth no one has dared to climb because of its isolation, glaciated terrain, crevasses, and unpredictable weather. It is not unclimbable — but no one has stepped forward to climb Mount Siple because of the extreme expenses, and risks involved.
It’s thousands of kilometers away from the nearest permanent research stations. There are no airstrips, roads, or even makeshift camps nearby. Just reaching the base of Mount Siple would require a custom polar expedition — involving cargo planes, helicopters, or icebreakers. It is extremely cold here (temperatures can drop below -40°C). Blizzards, snowstorms, and unpredictable katabatic winds are fairly common. These factors make planning even a reconnaissance expedition a logistical nightmare. There are no mapped routes, fixed camps, or documented climbing attempts, making it a true terra incognita in mountaineering.
6. Khunyang Chhish East, Pakistan — 7,400 meters (24,278 feet) — not a prize – worth dying for
Khunyang Chhish East in the Karakoram Range is one of the most difficult and least-climbed 7000+ meter peaks in the world. Not just its altitude, but the technical difficulties, extreme conditions, and remoteness deter even elite mountaineers. It is notorious for unpredictable and violent weather—frequent storms, heavy snowfall, and high winds. The route is riddled with hanging glaciers and ice cliffs that can collapse without warning, posing constant danger. Attempts to climb it have led to avalanches, sheer drops, and multiple fatalities. It’s not just a peak — it’s a test of perfection, patience, and pure alpine courage. But unlike Everest or K2, there are no fixed ropes, Sherpa support, or rescue teams. Any mistake here is likely to be fatal. Hence, it is not – worth dying for—twice.
It is largely avoided even by the world’s most seasoned climbers, not because it is sacred, but because it pushes human endurance to the edge. It may not be holy, but is terrifying – a place where “even a small mistake can kill you.” is one of the most formidable peaks in the Karakoram Range.
7. Baintha Brakk (The Ogre), Pakistan — 7,285 meters (23,921 feet) – a mountain that breaks people
Baintha Brakk, famously known as “The Ogre,” is one of the most notoriously difficult peaks in the world, located in the Karakoram Range of Pakistan. The Ogre demands expert-level rock, ice, and mixed climbing across sheer granite walls and knife-edge ridges. It’s not just steep—it’s relentlessly vertical with limited resting points. It gained notoriety after legendary climbers Doug Scott and Chris Bonington made the first ascent in 1977—during the descent, Scott broke both legs, and Bonington broke his ribs. Their survival—crawling for days in extreme conditions—is legendary in mountaineering.
It took over two decades for a second successful ascent. The Ogre’s reputation precedes it. Climbers whisper its name with both reverence and dread. It’s not banned. It’s not sacred. It’s just a mountain that breaks people. Its steepness, remoteness, and history of near-death descents have made it a mythical figure in mountaineering that few dare to defy, and fewer survive unscathed. It’s not just a climb — it’s a confrontation.
8. Muchu Chhish, Pakistan – 7,452 m (24,449 ft) – Highest Legal Unclimbed Peak
Located in the Batura Muztagh range of Pakistan’s Karakoram, Muchu Chhish has repelled every expedition. It is legal to climb, but the sheer remoteness, constant rockfall, and technical difficulty have kept even top-tier mountaineers away. This isn’t Everest with base camps and guides — it’s raw, high-altitude wilderness with zero infrastructure.
9. Mount Namuli, Mozambique — 2,419 meters (7,936 feet) – a mountain people dare not trespass
Mount Namuli in Zambezia Province of Mozambique is a fortress of mystery, culture, and ecological wonder. Shaped like a granite monolith rising nearly vertically from the forested landscape—its cliffs and sheer rock walls make it inaccessible from most sides. Locals believe Namuli is the sacred dwelling place of ancestral spirits. This is why certain parts of the mountain are considered off-limits due to spiritual beliefs. Legends say disturbing the spirits could invite illness, misfortune, or even death. The taboo against trespassing is so strong that even during the war, the mountain was avoided.
Also Read: Why some people can’t bear cold as compared to others?
Mount Namuli isn’t feared for altitude. Still, no one dares to climb it. Not because they can’t—but because they choose not to trespass.
10. Kabru North, India-Nepal Border – 7,338 m (24,075 ft) — The Ghost Summit
Kabru North lies in the shadow of Kangchenjunga and is often shrouded in clouds — both literally and historically. The peak lies in a sensitive military zone, with restricted access from India. A 1935 expedition claimed the summit, but later analyses cast doubt on whether they reached the true peak. Most modern climbers avoid it due to the unpredictable snowpack and deadly avalanches.
Kabru North is a majestic and fierce Himalayan sentinel, guarding the eastern frontier of the Indian subcontinent. With its towering height, political sensitivity, and historical significance, it remains a silent, near-forgotten giant in the shadow of Kangchenjunga.
11. Labuche Kang III, Tibet – 7,250 m (23,786 ft)—the secret seven-thousander
Labuche Kang III — also known as Labuche Kang East — is one of the highest unclimbed peaks in the world. It lies in a remote section of Tibet, west of Cho Oyu and northeast of Shishapangma, in a seldom-visited part of the Himalayan Plateau.
Few have even heard of Labuche Kang III, buried deep in Tibet’s remote valleys. Its combination of bureaucratic red tape, fierce cold, and lack of reconnaissance has left it untouched — a blank spot on the map even in the age of satellite imagery.
Labuche Kang III is the highest unclimbed peak not considered sacred. Unlike Mount Kailash (unclimbed for religious reasons), Labuche Kang III is climbable in theory, but politically and logistically out of reach.
12. Karjiang I, Tibet – 7,221 m (23,694 ft) — The Lost Peak
Karjiang I is one of the highest unclimbed mountains in the world. It lies in a remote, rarely visited region of south-eastern Tibet, close to the borders of Bhutan and northeast India. Despite its relatively moderate elevation compared to the 8,000-meter giants, no one has ever stood on its summit.
Climbing in this part of Tibet is heavily restricted by the Chinese government, and foreign expeditions are often denied access. Border proximity to India and Bhutan adds strategic sensitivity.
Attempts have been made — most notably by Dutch climbers in the early 2000s — but ice cliffs, knife-edge ridges, and severe weather forced them to retreat. The mountain features steep ridges, broken glaciers, and heavily corniced summits—all of which make the climb treacherous and technically very demanding.
Why do some mountains remain untouched
These peaks represent more than topographical obstacles:
- Logistical nightmares: Accessing them would require weeks of travel, multiple flights, and tons of gear.
- Lack of fame or commercial value: Unlike Everest or K2, these climbs won’t bring media coverage or sponsors.
- Extremely high risk: Most have no margin for error. If something goes wrong, help is non-existent.
Conclusion:
Letting some mountains remain untouched is not a defeat—it’s a declaration of respect for nature, culture, and the sacred.
Not every mountain is meant to be conquered. Some are meant to be worshipped, protected, or simply left alone— untouched, unclaimed, and unbeaten.
