Chapter 1
The shifting earth beneath our peaks
Chapter 2
Surviving the world's highest extreme zones
Chapter 3
Sacred peaks and human history
Chapter 4
Isolated worlds of mountain wildlife
YOUR GOAL
Master of Mountains of the world
Ch 2 · Surviving the world's highest extreme zones
schopenhauer The Death Zone
Above eight thousand, above eight thousand, we fade away.
schopenhauer One of the world's most dangerous climates is found on a relatively small peak.
schopenhauer Mountain dwellers have evolved unique biological traits to thrive in oxygen-poor environments.
BETA
schopenhauer Sort peaks by their height and location to discover the secrets of Earth's greatest ranges.
Fun Fact
Boiling points: On top of Mount Everest, water boils at just 68 degrees Celsius because the atmospheric pressure is so low.
Glossary
death zone (noun)
An altitude where the oxygen level is insufficient to sustain human life over an extended period. Mountaineers climbing Mount Everest must utilize supplemental oxygen when entering this lethal region above 8,000 meters.
An altitude where the oxygen level is insufficient to sustain human life over an extended period. Mountaineers climbing Mount Everest must utilize supplemental oxygen when entering this lethal region above 8,000 meters.
Quiz
From which ancient human relatives did Tibetans inherit their high-altitude adaptation gene?
Quiz
Which mountain in New Hampshire is famous for recording a historic 372 km/h wind speed in 1934?
Quiz
What is the name of the high-altitude, dry plateau located in the Andes of Bolivia and Peru?
Quiz
How many days a year does Mount Washington experience hurricane-force winds on average?
Quiz
What genetic adaptation helps Tibetan populations thrive in high-altitude environments?
Quiz
What famous geographic feature is located on the high-altitude Altiplano plateau?