Lhotse

Lhotse, the world's fourth-highest peak at 8,516 meters (27,940 feet), adjoins Mount Everest via the South Col in Nepal's Himalayas. Its dramatic south face—the steepest 8,000-meter slope—remains a coveted yet deadly challenge for elite climbers. First summited in 1956, Lhotse shares Everest’s deadly "Death Zone" but offers fewer routes, with only 26% of attempts succeeding in 2022. Named "South Peak" in Tibetan, its knife-edge ridges and hidden couloirs demand technical precision. A silent sentinel to Everest’s glory, it’s a climber’s ultimate test.