If the air contains less oxygen in the mountains than at the seaside, it is because the pressure there is lower. The explanations.
K2, the “mountain without pity” With 8,611 meters, K2 is the second highest peak in the world, located on the border between China and Pakistan in the Karakoram massif. However, it is considered much more difficult to climb and dangerous than Everest. Only just over 300 climbers made it to the summit and 81 people died there. To date, no climb has been undertaken in winter given the extreme conditions. © Maria Ly CC BY 2.0 For climbs of this type, it is better to be well equipped. K2 is also a brand of ski and mountain products!
Denali, one of the most difficult peaks to climb From its height of 6,190 meters, the Denali (formerly Mount McKinley) is the highest point in North America. Located in Alaska, it imposes extreme conditions on climbers that make it one of the most difficult mountains to climb. The first ascent of Denali dates back to 1913. Each year an average of 1,200 climbers take to the summit. © Nic McPhee – CC BY-SA 2.0
Everest, the highest peak in the world This view presents the north face of Everest, considered the most difficult to reach the summit which rises to 8,848 meters. Located in the Mahalangur Himal, a massif of the Himalayas, Everest is the highest of the seven peaks. Besides the dangerousness of its ascent (more than 200 people lost their lives), this mountain also imposes extreme climatic conditions: down to -60 ° C during the coldest period (January) and -19 ° C during the hottest month (July). © Luca Galuzzi CC by-sa 3.0
Kilimanjaro, the king of the African continent In northeastern Tanzania rises Kilimanjaro (5,891.8 meters). It is a set of three extinct volcanoes that are the Shira (3,962 meters), the Mawenzi (5,149 meters) and the Kibo whose Uhuru peak is the highest point in Africa. Kilimanjaro is also known for its famous “eternal snow”, an ice cap whose disappearance is predicted to disappear in the coming decades. © Muhammad Mahdi Karim GFDL
Lhotse, Everest’s little brother With 8,516 meters, Lhotse is one of 14 peaks over 8,000 meters above sea level. It is located in the Himalayas and its Tibetan name means “southern peak” because it is connected to Everest by the South Pass. Its name means southern peak in Tibetan because it is a satellite summit of Everest from which it is separated by the South pass (7,906 meters). The first ascent of Lhotse was made in 1956. © Mckaysavage CC by 2.0
Aconcagua, the “colossus of America” Located in Argentina, very close to the Chilean border, the Aconcagua rises to 6,962 meters. Nicknamed the “Colossus of America”, it is the highest point of the Andes mountain range and it is also the highest peak outside of Asia. The first officially recorded ascent took place in 1897 but evidence suggests that this mountain was occupied by the Quechuas long before that time. The Acacongua is located in a semi-desert region that experiences little rainfall while being battered by strong winds that can reach 250 km / h. © Nicolas Solop CC BY-NC 2.0
Chimborazo, the emblem of Ecuador The Chimborazo volcano located in Ecuador is the highest peak in the Ecuadorian Andes (6,268 meters). The last eruption took place over ten thousand years ago. The glacier supplies the townships of Bolivar and Chimborazo with drinking water. The volcano appears on the coat of arms of Ecuador. © Dabit100 CC by-sa 3.0
Mount Vinson rules Antarctica Mount Vinson was not discovered until late, in 1958, and the first ascent was not made until 1966. It has the privilege of being one of the seven highest peaks of the seven continents. Due to its geographical location, Mount Vinson is exposed to a polar climate with temperatures that can reach -35 ° C at the top. This makes his ascent difficult. Since 1966, 1,100 people have climbed Mount Vinson. © Se7en Summits CC BY-NC 2.0
Elbrus, the giant of the Caucasus Located in the north of the Caucasus, the Elbrus culminates at an altitude of 5,642 meters. It is at the same time the highest summit of Russia but also of the Old European continent in front of the Mont Blanc. Elbrus is originally a volcano that was active until the beginning of our era. It is characterized by two peaks separated by a neck. This massif has produced nearly a hundred glaciers, some of which are up to 400 meters thick. They feed the Baksan, Kouban and Malka rivers. © Philip Milne CC BY-NC 2.0
Kangchenjunga dethroned by Everest In Tibetan, Kangchenjunga means “the five treasures of the snow”. Located in the Himalayas on the border between India and Nepal, Kangchenjunga actually consists of four interconnected peaks, the highest of which rises to 8,586 meters. It was considered the highest peak in the world before relinquishing this title to Everest in 1856. © Tomabarker CC BY 3.0
The Annapurna, the first “8,000” climbed by man Giant of the Himalayas (Nepal), the Annapurna is unique in more than one way. It is the first summit of more than 8,000 meters (8,091 meters to be exact) to have been climbed by men, moreover French (Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal in 1950). But this summit is also the one that has been conquered the fewest times (191 climbs) and has the highest mortality rate (32%). © Arite CC by-sa 3.0
Mont Blanc, the “Roof of Europe” Straddling Haute-Savoie in France and the Aosta Valley in Italy, Mont Blanc dominates Western Europe from its 4,809 meters high. This summit is one of the most legendary for all mountain enthusiasts. The object of an abundant literature and cinematography, it was climbed in 1786. Relatively accessible to any well-trained person, the ascent of Mont Blanc has become very popular. Every year, between 2,000 and 3,000 people reach the top, but the business is nonetheless perilous and fatal accidents occur almost every year. © Needle CC0 1.0
The peak of Teide, in the Canaries Teide or peak of Teide is a volcano located in Spain on the island of Tenerife (Canary Islands). With an altitude of 3,715 or 3,718 meters, it is the highest peak in Spain. The last eruption dates back to 1909. The installation of a cable car that goes up to 3,555 meters makes the ascent accessible to a large public. Once at the top, visitors can admire the crater, 70 meters in diameter and 45 meters deep. © Joao Carlos Medau CC by 2.0
Mount Logan, Canada’s highest point Located in the Kluane National Park and Preserve, in the Yukon, Mount Logan is the highest peak in Canada (5,959 meters). This mountain has eleven peaks that exceed 5,000 meters in altitude. The first ascent was made in 1925. Nowadays, the number of climbers reaching the summit each year does not exceed a hundred. © Isteffen CC by-sa 3.0
Nanga Parbat, the “Bare Mountain”, in the Himalayas The ninth highest peak on Earth at 8,125 meters, Nanga Parbat is also found in the Himalayas, Pakistan. Its name means “Bare Mountain” and it is considered one of the most difficult peaks to climb. The first ascent was successful in 1953, after thirty-one people lost their lives in the attempt. To date, there are 186 successful ascents of Nanga Parbat for 61 deaths. © Aasim85 CC by-sa 3.0
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As one ascends in altitude to the top of a mountain, theair contains less and less oxygen. It is because the pressure air decreases.
Up to about 80 or 85 kmaltitude (therefore beyond the stratosphere), the proportions of the various components of the atmosphere (nitrogen, carbon dioxide, oxygen, etc.) do not change, or little (the air still contains 21% oxygen and 78% nitrogen, for example), because the air is fairly well mixed.
Altitude: lower pressure in the mountains
When the pressure is lower, the same volume air contains less molecules, therefore less oxygen, but also less nitrogen and less carbon dioxide. Thus, on Mount Everest, the highest peak on Earth, which culminates at 8,848 m, the atmospheric pressure is one third of that of sea level. The same volume of air (for example each breath of a mountain) therefore contains three times fewer molecules.
Above an altitude of 85 km, these proportions change, due to the molecular weight of the components: the heavier ones become scarce faster than the light ones. But even the planes don’t fly that high!
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