These Are the 10 Mountains With the Most Avalanches

10. Wasatch Mountains

Also with a high risk of avalanches are the Wasatch Mountains in Utah. The mountains are often under an avalanche warning due to large amounts of snow on steep slopes. However, the greatest risk occurs between the months of January and April when the daytime temperatures are fairly warm which softens the snow, making it unstable. According to the Utah avalanche report, there were 92 people caught in avalanches during the 2022-2023 season in the state, resulting in three deaths.

9. Makalu

Just 12 miles from Mount Everest is Makalu, which has an elevation of 27,825 feet. It has a pyramid-shaped peak with four sides and is an incredibly challenging mountain to climb. The steep slopes of Makalu mean the terrain is already perilous, but when combined with bitter temperatures and high winds, there is an almost constant threat of avalanches.

8. Denali

The highest mountain in North America, Denali, makes the list due to the high number of avalanche-related fatalities. Since 1976, at least 45 people have died on the mountain due to avalanches alone, with the total fatality rate for all reasons sitting at nine deaths per 100 climbers. Denali has an elevation of 20,310 feet above sea level but has the tallest base-to-peak height of 18,000 feet.

7. Manaslu

The next mountain on the list is Manaslu in Nepal, which is notorious for its devastating avalanches. Manaslu is a technically difficult mountain to climb due to its treacherous ridges and jagged peaks. The temperature on the mountain can often vary, and this contributes to the high risk of avalanches occurring.

6. Kangchenjunga

The third-highest mountain in the world is Kangchenjunga in the Himalayas which stands at 28,169 feet above sea level. The mountain has several satellite peaks that form a large massif which is just 78 miles from Mount Everest.

Kangchenjunga also has several glaciers on it. There are four main routes to the summit but Kangchenjunga is regarded as being a technically difficult mountain to climb, with the section from the final camp to the summit being the most treacherous. The harsh weather conditions on the mountain add to the risk and, combined with the steep slopes, mean that avalanches are a constant threat.

5. K2

Also known as “Savage Mountain”, K2 is one of the deadliest mountains in the world, as well as one of the most challenging. It is the second-highest mountain, with a height of 28,251 feet. K2 is regularly exposed to severe weather conditions, and there is an almost constant danger of avalanches occurring on it. One of the deadliest avalanches on the mountain occurred in 2008, when eight climbers were killed.

4. Mount Everest

It’s not surprising to find the highest mountain in the world on the list of mountains with the most avalanches. Mount Everest is incredibly popular with climbers, but it also has a reputation as being one of the toughest and most challenging mountains. There’s a high number of fatalities on the mountain, due to both the steep rock faces as well as avalanches. In 2014, 16 climbing guides were killed on the mountain by an avalanche, while the following year a further 22 people were killed by another avalanche, making it one of the most deadly days on the mountain.

3. Nanga Parbat

With an elevation of 26,660 feet, Nanga Parbat is the ninth-highest mountain in the world and is located in Pakistan within the western area of the Himalayas. It often goes by the local name of “Diamer”, but also has the notorious nickname “Killer Mountain” because of its difficult terrain and the high risk of fatality to climbers.

Nanga Parbat has three challenging faces and is regarded as being one of the toughest mountains in the world to climb. It regularly experiences heavy snowfall, which means that the avalanche risk is high. Several climbers have died on the mountain after being caught in avalanches, and the winter conditions are so bad that it took until 2016 for it to be successfully climbed during the winter season.

2. Mont Blanc

Mont Blanc, meaning “white mountain”, has an elevation of 15,766 feet, making it the highest mountain in the Alps. It is one of the most popular locations for climbing, hiking, and skiing. However, it is also one of the most dangerous due to its steep slopes and unstable glaciers and crevasses. Weather conditions on the mountain are harsh, with high winds and temperatures at the summit often being around -4 degrees Fahrenheit. Avalanches regularly occur on Mont Blanc, often with fatal results. In fact, in April of this year, six people died near Mont Blanc in a single avalanche incident.

1. Annapurna

The mountain with the most avalanches is widely regarded to be Annapurna. It is also considered to be the most deadly mountain in the world. It has a fatality rate of around 20%, which has only dropped in recent years from 32%. Annapurna is located in Nepal and has a height of 26,545 feet. The mountain regularly experiences adverse weather conditions, including low temperatures and heavy snowfall. Avalanches regularly occur on the mountain, but the most dangerous section is the Base Camp trail.