The World’s Tallest Mountains Are Ones You Can Hike Up

Yes, you—with some advice from the fastest mountaineer on the planet.

Ultra - trail moon curser and nomadTyler Andrewsknows a thing or two about mountains . He ’s unarguably one of the truehearted mountaineer in the world . Over the last four years , Andrews has scud up 42 officialFKTs(field speak for “ fastest known time '' ) , and he ’s done it summiting some of the tallest peaks on Earth . He ’s hoofed it up high - height routes in a unequalled niche that blend marathon - dash space with theplanet ’s most inhospitable terrain . And he ’s got some favourite in mind that he thinks you could boost , too .

The Peruvian Inca Trail speed record ? Andrews tucker out it . Arizona ’s Flagstaff Loop ? Beat it twice . In February and March of this year , he crush his idols ’ record back - to - back on bucket - list quite a little Aconcagua and Mount Kilimanjaro . He shatter the premature Everest Base Camp Trail recordby an astounding 6.5 hours .

While words like “ elite ” typically prefix any mention of Andrews ’s name , his gravid successes might be his extreme - elevation survival runs . Andrews does n’t keep track of every tiptop - hop-skip stat , but he ’s competitively run 30 - 40 hatful and has nail 15 - 20 rise topping out above 20,000 feet — principally unsupported .

tallest mountains in the world

Photo courtesy of Tyler Andrews

Andrews founded theChaski Endurance Collective , an on-line coaching job platform designed to build up the global run community , in 2019 . He ’s also a dedicated fundraiser for societal melioration projects in South America . Chaski — a Quechua Logos for the idolize ancient Incans who ran coded messages throughout the Andes — has an all - star roll of certified coaches who empower athletes in training camp poised on pinnacles around the earth .

Andrews is a frequent visitant to the top of the world , where he ’s had unrivaled eyeshot normally reserved for birds . He has traversed glacial crevasses on Cotopaxi , Ecuador ’s stratovolcano . He overcame logistical nightmares with the support of his friends in Tanzania . He ’s battle subzero temps and breathlessness before dawn on Everestandwaded through flooded alpine plain in Argentina . Andrews ’s unbelievable treks have taken him to 28 countries across six continents . Here are some of his favorite place around the world to hike up plenty , as well as some of his baksheesh for doing so successfully .

One of the first step for new high - altitude climbing iron is to minimize the galling effects of elevation . In remote mountain neighborhood like the Andes , Alps , and Himalayas , altitude nausea can be serious and starts for sensitive multitude at 8,500 feet . So what ’s Andrews ’s top tip for acclimating ? “ Well , the first matter you demand to do is pick out your parents well ! ” he joke . “ The way people respond to altitude is an individual thing . ”

Tyler Andrews

Photo courtesy of Tyler Andrews

Andrews course reply well in these environment , so do n’t keep an eye on his footstepsexactlywithout right prep . He says the best bet for beating oxygen deprivation , especially for first - sentence crampon , is to go irksome . Do n’t make Brobdingnagian parachuting in altitude and take it really easy your first day or two . rest recollective and unvoiced , avoiding arduous activity , and plan for downtime . Make certain to stay hydrous — substance , no alcohol(no matter how tempt those holiday cocktails are ) .

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The country around the Khumbu Valley conduce up to Mount Everest is perchance the most spectacular place Andrews say he ’s ever been . The ordered series of the snow - capped mint , the dementedly steep valleys , and the incessantly flowing river coming off of the glaciers will take your hint by ( if the high-pitched height does n’t first ) .

These are long , multi - day trek . Give yourself two hebdomad to make the most of your clip . Fly in and out of Kathmandu and take the ( gently terrifying ) myopic flight to Lukla or the ( much longer ) bus or hike option into the valley . The little villages often have lodges and restaurants , making trekking or lead - running in this country logistically much simpler . The track are well maintained and the people who live in the valley are super friendly . The proficient times of yr to visit are March through May or September through November .

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Peru: Salkantay Inca Full Trail

Much like the Everest Base Camp in Nepal , the Salkantay Inca Trail in Peru offer an improbably rewarding adventure amidst nature ’s dependable . The terrain here is a absorbing mixture of gamy - altitude pass and plushy forests , culminate at the iconic Machu Picchu . While the Salkantay Pass itself is an absolute gem , the entire trail is plunge in lifelike smasher and historical traces of the Incan conglomerate .

Carve out a week for this journey , which kick back off from Soraypampa , about a three - 60 minutes cause from Cusco . The locals are welcome , and the path is dotted with lodge to lie and refuel , make the logistics of a tranquil trek or challenging run here pretty commodious . The ideal prison term to remove this trail is between May and September .

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Japan: Mount Fuji, Sea to Summit to Sea

As Japan ’s high-pitched peak and an iconic landmark seeable from downtown Tokyo , Mount Fuji beckons adventurers from across the ball . Its perfect , symmetric cone is surrounded by five lakes , and its crest gifts hikers with bird’s-eye views that are both inspiring and humbling . The mountain ’s historical and cultural significance adds astuteness to the experience ; you ’ll chance shrine and other traditional sites along the trails . get through the summit as morning breaks , see the sun ascend over a ocean of swarm , is a magical moment that imprint itself in the hearts of those who make the journey .

The Yoshida Trail is a pop route , and it ’s a near idea to take it slow , give up your body to acclimatize to the altitude as you ascend . The most favour fourth dimension to hike is during the official climbing season , which is little but sweet , sweep from early July to early September — but keep in intellect , it ’s super crowded during those calendar month .

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Argentina: Aconcagua, Park Entrance to Summit and Back

Towering at 22,841 feet , Aconcagua is the grandiloquent mountain outdoors of Asia and a gem in the Andes mountain range . For hikers , the fundament camp treks are a pop choice . The journey to Plaza de Mulas or Plaza Francia extend a taste of the mighty Andes without the technical demand of summiting . Along the trek , you ’ll witness vast landscapes and stupendous peaks , with Aconcagua commanding the skyline . The expanse is full-bodied with geological wonders and offer a sense of scale that ’s rarely experienced elsewhere .

Hikers should be well - prepared for altitude and variable weather conditions , as the mountain ’s moods can shift swiftly . Aconcagua is not just a salary increase ; it ’s an excursion into a land of behemoth , where every step take you closer to the ceiling of the Americas . The journey can take anywhere from 12 to 20 Day . The mounting time of year is from November to March , which offers the most amicable shape for the intimidating climb .

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Tanzania: Kilimanjaro, Park Entrance to Summit and Back

The iconic silhouette of Mount Kilimanjaro heighten majestically from the field of Tanzania . As Africa ’s eminent superlative , Kilimanjaro entice explorer from around the orb to conquer its 19,341 feet . The trek to the summit takes you through an regalia of ecosystems , from riotous rainforests to alpine comeuppance and , finally , to the frigid embracing of the glacier - capped pinnacle . Whether it ’s witness the sunup from Uhuru Peak or the sense of acquirement in reaching the summit , Kilimanjaro is aonce - in - a - lifespan type of hiking .

Kilimanjaro has several routes that cater to unlike fittingness levels , but all hikers should leave themselves a right six to nine day for the trek to acclimatise . The most popular metre to climb is during the wry seasons from June through October or January through March . As you make your path up , anticipate a journeying that not only challenge your body but also enchant your heart with its astounding beauty and the warmth of the local Chagga citizenry who inhabit the lower slopes .