3 facts
Standing at 7,570 meters (24,836 feet), Gangkhar Puensum remains unconquered due to Bhutan's ban on mountaineering above 6,000 meters since 1994. This respects local spiritual beliefs that mountains are homes of deities.
The extreme altitude, freezing temperatures, and treacherous terrain make it incredibly difficult and dangerous to retrieve bodies. Many serve as grim markers or warnings for ascending mountaineers.
The collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates continues to push the Himalayas upwards. This ongoing geological activity means the world's highest peak is constantly, albeit slowly, increasing in elevation, a testament to Earth's dynamic forces.