Mount Fuji, Japan (12,389 feet / 3,776 meters)

In the Land of the Rising Sun, Mount Fuji stands tall. Revered in Japanese culture, this perfectly conical volcano is not just a place of beauty but a spiritual symbol. Whether adorned in cherry blossoms in spring or snow in winter, Mount Fuji’s silhouette is an emblem of Japan’s natural and cultural richness.

Mount Cook (Aoraki), New Zealand (12,218 feet/3,724 meters)

Aoraki, also known as Mount Cook, is the highest peak in New Zealand and a place of immense reverence to the Ngāi Tahu, the local Māori people. It graces the Southern Alps and has a commanding presence in Mount Cook National Park. Aoraki means “Cloud Piercer” in Māori.

Ecuador Mountains

Blending lush tropical rainforests and snow-capped mountains, Ecuador is a fantastically diverse and vibrant country located along the Equator in the northwestern part of South America. The country is home to 1,289 named mountains, the highest and most prominent of which is Chimborazo (6,268m/20,564ft).

Mount Chimborazo is Actually the Highest Point on Earth

Mount Chimborazo is Actually the Highest Point on Earth | Condé ...

The Mountain K2: 28,251 Feet

Coming in at a close second, the succinctly named K2 is set within the Karakoram Mountain Range in the Himalayas. The K in the mountain’s name is abbreviated from Karakoram, while the 2  meant it was the second mountain to be discovered during the 19th century Great Trigonometrical Survey. Known for being the deadliest mountain range for explorers to tackle, K2’s notorious nickname is ‘Savage Mountain,’ a nod towards its sheer slopes and exposed terrain. Its mortality rate is at 29%, compared with Everest’s modest-by-comparison 4%.

 

Historical studies of the mountain  were observed from more hospitable terrains. The first attempt to climb to the top was in 1902, in a group including the notorious Aleister Crowley. An Italian group was first to reach the mountain summit in 1954, led by Ardito Desio, who headed a team of 11 accomplished climbers.

Mount Everest: 29,029 Feet

Topping the bucket list of explorers worldwide, Mount Everest is widely recognized as the tallest mountain in the entire world, reaching 29,029 feet toward the sky. Set within the Mahalangur Himalayas, the notoriously challenging mountain range was named after the Surveyor General of India, George Everest. Around 500 people try to climb Mount Everest during the springtime every year, where they face harsh weather conditions, altitude sickness, and high winds.

 

Such a dangerous trek is not to be taken lightly; around 300 people have died while trying to reach the summit of the mountain, many of whom have never been found. It wasn’t until 1953 that a group of British explorers led by Colonel John Hunt were able to reach the summit of Mount Everest, along with the Sherpa guide Tenzing Norgay and the mountaineer Edmund Hillary, who took the less deadly 

Minuet Mountain Laurel

A multi-stemmed evergreen shrub, minuet mountain laurel (Lalmia latifolia  'Minuet') has a rounded habit with cup-shaped flowers that bloom from May through June. This plant can tolerate a broad range of light conditions, so you can plant it just about anywhere in your garden.

Rocky Mountain Juniper Skyrocket

If you like the Rocky Mountain juniper but want a variety that grows faster, the skyrocket cultivar (Juniperus scopulorum) is the way to go. It’s still not the fastest-growing conifer on this list, but it’s a nice alternative to the original. The Skyrocket has a slender silhouette with dense, silvery blue needles and is best suited as an accent tree.

Mountain Mint, Flowers

Another member of the mint family that draws pollinators is mountain mint, a low-maintenance herbaceous perennial  with pink-speckled blooms that open in midsummer. "The crushed foliage has a minty aroma, different from the mint types grown as common herbs, but still minty overall," says Talabac. "It's popular with a lot of other pollinators, like native bees, solitary wasps, and honeybees, teeming with activity when a clump is in peak bloom."

MOUNT KANIN, SLOVENIA

This stunning 104-square-foot cabin straddles the Slovenian and Italian borders in the Alps, and is secured with cables to withstand harsh weather conditions.