The vertical distance above a reference point, typically sea level. Often used interchangeably with elevation but technically refers to height in the atmosphere.

A seasonal wind pattern bringing heavy precipitation. In the Himalayas, the summer monsoon (June–September) defines the climbing season.

A persistent body of dense ice that moves under its own weight, carving valleys and shaping mountain landscapes over millennia.

The highest point of a mountain or hill; the topmost elevation that climbers aim to reach.

An accumulation of rocks, sediment, and debris deposited by a glacier. Terminal, lateral, and medial moraines indicate past and present glacial activity.

The gradual physiological adaptation to decreased oxygen at higher altitudes, typically following a "climb high, sleep low" pattern.

A staging area at the foot of a mountain from which climbing expeditions are launched, stocked with supplies and used for acclimatization.

Any of the 14 mountains on Earth with summits above 8,000 meters, all located in the Himalayas and Karakoram ranges.