Before the first successful ascent of Nanga Parbat in 1953, this monster mountain had claimed the lives of 31 people, earning its fearsome nickname, Killer Mountain. Due to the location, vulnerability to the weather and complete exposure to the jet stream, any ascent is considered treacherous.

Add to that the world's highest face, the Rupal – a 15,000-foot (6,600m) wall of rock and ice – and you can understand why this mountain is considered one of the most difficult climbs in the world behind K2 and Annapurna.

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