mountain
Climbers scale it
A mountain is a large natural elevation of land, typically rising steeply and significantly higher than the surrounding terrain.
Mountains are distinguished from hills mainly by height and ruggedness, though no universal threshold exists.
The term extends to any massive quantity: a mountain of debt, a mountain of paperwork.
To move mountains is to accomplish something seemingly impossible.
To make a mountain out of a molehill is to exaggerate a minor problem.
Slow-moving ice mass
- moraineGlacier-deposited debris pile
- cirqueGlacier-carved mountain basin
- arêteSharp mountain ridge
- crevasseDeep glacial fissure
tarn · horn · icefall · serac · névé · firn · kettle · erratic
Utmost height attained
- apexUppermost point or culmination
- pinnacleUtmost summit or spire
- zenithPoint straight overhead
- crestHighest point or tuft
crown · top · highpoint · summit · acme · vertex · culmination · capstone
Distant or controller
- solitudeState of being alone
- backcountrySparsely populated wilderness areas
- untouchedNot contacted or affected
- secludedSet apart, private
desolate · pristine · tranquil · isolation · refuge · sanctuary · retreat · trailhead
Measured height above reference
- exposureState of being unprotected
- treelineElevation limit for forests
- snowlinePermanent accumulation boundary
- subalpineJust below treeline zone
permafrost · windswept · oxygen · hypothermia · frostbite · whiteout · avalanche · rockfall
Impressively dignified and beautiful
- grandeurImpressive splendor and scale
- awe-inspiringEvoking reverential wonder
- toweringOf imposing height
- imposingImpressively grand in scale
monumental · breathtaking · panoramic · picturesque · vastness · lofty · sublime · serene
glacier
Slow-moving ice mass
crevasse · tarn · horn · icefall · serac · névé · firn · kettle · erratic · till
peak
Utmost height attained
crest · crown · top · highpoint · summit · acme · vertex · culmination · capstone · tip
slope
Angled terrain or steepness
ravine · valley · gorge · canyon · saddle · col · scree · talus · boulder · rockface
remote
Distant or controller
- solitudeState of being alone
- backcountrySparsely populated wilderness areas
- untouchedNot contacted or affected
secluded · desolate · pristine · tranquil · isolation · refuge · sanctuary · retreat · trailhead · hut
altitude
Measured height above reference
- exposureState of being unprotected
- treelineElevation limit for forests
- snowlinePermanent accumulation boundary
subalpine · permafrost · windswept · oxygen · hypothermia · frostbite · whiteout · avalanche · rockfall · weather
majestic
Impressively dignified and beautiful
- grandeurImpressive splendor and scale
- awe-inspiringEvoking reverential wonder
- toweringOf imposing height
imposing · monumental · breathtaking · panoramic · picturesque · vastness · lofty · sublime · serene · pristine
ascent
Upward movement
- expeditionOrganized exploratory journey
- alpinismHigh-altitude peak climbing
- belayAnchor a rope
rappel · traverse · pitch · ledge · crampon · ice-axe · carabiner · rope · sherpa · acclimatization
mountainvalley
Low ground between heights
depression · gorge · canyon · chasm · hollow
- mountain bikeBicycle for unpaved paths
- mountain rangeSeries of connected peaks
- mountain climbingAscending peaks on foot
- mountain lionLarge tawny American feline
- mountain villagesCommunities in elevated terrain
- mountain climberOne who ascends peaks
mountains, mountainous, mountain fold, mountaintop, mountainside, mountain bike, mountain lion, mountaineer, mountain goat