I have an innate curiosity when it comes to mountains and that includes the ones I would never dream of hiking! I might consider Everest Basecamp at some stage down the line but wouldn’t even attempt any of the Himalayas summits. Aside from the fact I lack the technical skills to do so, I just don’t like the look of the death rates!
And right at the top of that deadly list of mountains is Annapurna I.
Now, I mentioned that I have a bit of a (possibly morbid) fascination with lots of mountains – particularly the notoriously dangerous ones. So for those of you who share the same fascination, here’s a rundown of 8 facts about Annapurna I.
Annapurna I Death Rate
Annapurna I is the deadliest mountain in the world in terms of number of summiteers vs deaths.
The death rate shared ranges from 27% to 32% depending which figure you read and how you measure it. But the thing we do know is that as of 2022:
- 365 people had summited Annapurna I
- 72 had died during an attempt
It’s reasonable to say though that a around quarter of people who attempt to summit it will die in their pursuit.
I don’t like those odds.
Annapurna I Location
Annapurna I is one of the Himalayas and sits in Nepal.
Annapurna I’s First Recorded Summiters
The summit of Annapurna was reached for the first time in June 1950, when a group French climbers led by Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal successfully made it to the top.
Annapurna I Height
Annapurna I is 8,091m (or 26, 545 feet) high, making it the 10th highest mountain in the world.
Despite only being in position 10 in terms of height, it’s deadlier than any of the others.
The First of the 8000ers to be Climbed
Despite being the most dangerous, Annapurna I was also the first of the peaks over 8,000m to be climbed.
The Annapurna Massif
Annapurna I is part of an impressive massif. The Annapurna Massif is an incredible 55km long ridge line which is home to over 30 peaks of 6,000m or higher. Mountaineers’ dream right there!
Meaning of Annapurna
The mountain is named after “Annapurna” which from Sanskrit and means “the giver of food.” Annapurna is the Hindu Goddess of food and nourishment.
Tempted to Climb it?
If you have the budget, there are companies running expeditions for the Annpurna Summit. I am neither fit, technically capable nor rask-taking enough myself. But you do you šĀ
A more commonly taken route, though, is a circuitĀ aroundĀ Annapurna taking in some apparently unreal views and trekking. And a number of different expedition companies offer those routes.
