There’s nothing that a man wouldn’t sooner or later try. Every time we think that we reach a peak or a boundary, and we’re so close to giving up, some people appear who say: not so fast! And then they do it. There are those who crave it - the feeling when you do something impossible or almost impossible, the thrill and the danger. That’s why so many people dream about going to space, driving faster than ever before, jumping from buildings and, of course, climbing higher and more dangerous mountains. Mountains have claimed lives of thousands of men and women, even more of them lived through trauma up there, but there are still those who feel that they have to challenge Mother Nature. So if you’re looking for a thrill, here are some of the deadliest mountains in the world, besides the most obvious Mount Everest.

6. Aconcagua, Argentina This is the highest peak outside the Himalayas with its almost 7,000 metres (23,000 feet) and it bears a nickname of Mountain of Death for a reason. It claims around three lives every year and has already claimed more than 100 since people started to record it - it’s the highest death rate in South America. Apart from standard dangers linked to the height and the weather, there’s also a problem of improper disposal of human waste that’s extremely dangerous to both humans and animals. You can’t drink anything that you find on your way and you have to be contracted to get a toilet service. There are 120 barrels of waste disposed there each season and, because the toilet service is very often expensive, a lot of people defecate and leave their waste on the mountainside. But if you still feel like climbing Aconcagua, check over here to find more concrete information.

5. Kangchenjunga, Nepal and India At 8,586 metres (28,169 ft feet) it’s the 3rd highest mountain in the world and it’s widely-known because of its difficult conditions - frequent avalanches, extreme cold, weather that changes unusually often - and about 20% fatality rate. It’s a paradox that, while other mountains have become more accessible because of the development of technology and safety improvements, Kangchenjunga has actually become even more dangerous to climb over time. It’s where in May 2013, Zsolt Erőss, who had already climbed 10 of 14 highest peaks on the planet, along with his four men, reached the summit and disappeared during the descent.

4. Dhaulagiri, Nepal Sitting as high as 8,167 metres (26,795 feet) above sea level, Dhaulagiri is the 7th highest mountain in the world and its fatality rate remains at around 16%. It was climbed for the first time in 1960, but to this day nobody has been able to reach the summit from the south, and not because of the lack of trying - the mountain has already claimed over 70 lives over the years.

3. Nanga Parbat, Pakistan At 8,126m (26,660 ft) above sea level, Nanga Parbat is the 9th highest mountain in the world. Due to its 22% fatality rate, it’s widely-known as a Killer Mountain or a Man Eater. Along with K2, it’s considered by all climbers to be one of the most difficult mountains to climb. It’s mostly because of the Rupal Face, or the face of the Earth - the largest (4,600 metres or 15091,86 feet) rock wall on the planet. You will need a lot of bravery, perseverance and skills if you want to climb it. The first who managed to do it was Hermann Buhl - he climbed Nanga Parbat in 1953 after it has already claimed 31 lives. Buhl also remains the only person who has done it all by himself and he was under the influence of pervitin, a drug used by soldiers during World War II.

2. K2, China-Pakistan border Because of the statistics (around one for every four climbers dies on his way to or from the summit of K2), it has fairly gained its nickname - Savage Mountain. It’s the second in the whole world both by its height and the death rate. All climbers agree that, despite not being as tall as Everest, it’s much more difficult to climb. To give you an idea - Everest is being climbed by more than 500 climbers each year, while K2 can go many years without anyone making it to the summit.

1. Annapurna, Central Nepal It’s the 10th highest mountain in the world with its 8,000 metres (26,545 feet), but it’s considered to be the most dangerous one. Only 191 climbers have actually made it to the peak and about 63 have died on their way to or from the top - the fatality rate is therefore over 33 percent which makes Annapurna the deadliest mountain in the world. It was the first of 8,000-metre peaks to be conquered and it still remains one of the biggest challenges on the planet. It’s also well-known because of the hiking tracks in the region and Nepal’s worst-ever trekking disaster that took place in 2014 when suddenly, within 12 hours, 6 feet of snow fell, which caused avalanches that killed 43 people, and over 500 people needed help.

So, are you ready for a challenge? Have you picked your adventure yet?

Photo by Giuseppe Mondì on Unsplash

The great business icons who have gone down in history have one major thing in common: they’re enormous risk-takers. They don’t give a f*** about coloring inside the lines. They break new ground without permission. Sometimes they fight the system. In the IDGAF interview series, I chat with business people who aren’t afraid to swim against the current or speak against the status quo. Together, we explore the downfalls, reality and hard truths in business today. In this interview, we’re talking about why playing it safe is one of the worst things you can do — and we’re not holding back.

True confession – I can’t ski. Well, I am a beginner. I am 41. I live in Colorado, and I have since 2005. I have put little effort into mastering the sport, but I make an annual pilgrimage to the mountain. I fail brutely. I do yoga and ride my bicycle (not that fast or competitive). I have never played sports. Most of my life, I studied music and writing. I am super creative and quite the klutz. This year, this changes. I am going to 22 ski resorts from Coloradoski.com to learn-how-to-ski, how to grow, how to learn something new, even when the odds are against me. 

Winter holidays are near and people are rushing to get things done before they set off to the nearest mountain resort. Whether you are planning to ski, ride a snowboard or sip tea in the evening next to the fireplace, you need to get ready for winter delights. These preparations are as smart as they are physical in nature. By creating a list of things to take to your winter holiday trip, you are making sure that everything runs smoothly so you can max out the fun.

Several layers of clothing

If our grandparents have taught us anything, then it’s the fact that we should wear clothes in layers when it’s cold outside. A single winter jacket is not enough to keep us warm regardless of how stuffed it is. Several layers of clothes are a far better option so be sure to pack T-shirts as well since they’ll make for that initial layer of clothing. Before you start packing, do the math to calculate how many suitcases full of clothes you’ll need for a family of four.

Don’t forget to bring the charger

Needless to say, a mountain lodge doesn’t have a grocery store next door. That’s why it is essential not to forget the stuff you would normally forget to bring with yourself because you cannot buy a replacement that easily once you arrive in your accommodation.

One item that we frequently forget to pack when traveling is the phone charger. We usually charge the phone the night before the trip, unplug it in the morning and just leave it like that on the table. You really shouldn’t make this mistake this winter as well since a phone with a dead battery won’t do you much good in the woods. Not only can it be used to call for help but is flashlight is a lifesaver if you stay outdoors after dark. 

Planning your itinerary

In order to avoid a scenario in which you get lost in the snow, you should preplan your itinerary. Exploring the wilderness on your own might be alluring but you should plan for such walks and calculate the distance and time necessary to cover it.

For instance, don’t go off jogging after dusk in the spur of the moment. If you like running in the snow in the woods, then plan this activity for the following morning, when there is plenty of daylight. Remember, you are not in an urban settlement, as cold air and snow will cause you to get tired faster than you normally would. 

Keep the kids busy 

As far as your children are concerned, you need to keep them busy while the adults go skiing or snowboarding. While you’re still driving in the car, snacks are the ideal distraction but once you arrive at the resort, you’ll need to find a daycare center, if available. If not, then you can play their favorite cartoons or take them for a (daytime) walk through the woods. There’s nothing like a long stroll and playing in the snow that can wear a child down so they will fall asleep fast.

Find out more on Rockay. 

https://rockay.com/ 

Keep a first-aid kit near at hand

You are probably used to cuts and bruises on the summer holiday but injuries not uncommon in the snow as well. The tree bark you are skiing close by is all but smooth and to mention the worst-case scenario of falling down a tree well. For safety reasons, keeping a first-aid kit near at hand is a smart move to make. Once you settle in, you can move the first-aid kit from the car to the hotel room.

As you have seen from the examples above, getting ready for activities in the snow is nothing complicated. If you create a list of things to pack and wear, you are making sure that you’ll have tons of fun in the snow this season. 

Europe ski gear & equipment market is projected to reach USD 1,567.05 million by 2024, witnessing a CAGR of 2.78% during the forecast period (2019-2024). Increasing participation rate in outdoor activities like skiing and other snow sports increased government initiatives to encourage participation in skiing, and growth in the number of ski resorts are some of the major factors contributing to the increased sales of ski gear & equipment across the region.

Have you ever found yourself growing tired of the winter season? Do you dread the colder weather? Do you sit inside and bemoan the fact that you’ve already seen all the good holiday movies three times? Well then, it sounds like you need a new winter hobby, and we think that new hobby might just be skiing! When you first dive into the world of snowsports, it can be a bit overwhelming to figure it all out. But you don’t need to fear! We’ve compiled a list of the best skis for women right here to help you sift through a handful of our very favorite skis.