The Western Summit of Mount Elbrus

Located in the Caucasus Mountains, the snowy summit of Mount Elbrus towers over Europe and Russia at more than 18,500 feet.

While on the Everest Base Camp Trek in Nepal, people can stand face-to-face with Mount Everest, the “Goddess Mother of the Earth,” from the more easily reached high point of the 18,192-foot Kala Pattar. Trekkers climb this peak before dawn to catch a glimpse of Everest at sunrise.

The photographers’ adventures began with the trek to Everest Base Camp, where they spent 12 days in the mountains battling altitude sickness, an earthquake, mudslides, snowstorms and flash floods to reach their destination and capture this imagery.

Located in Sagarmatha National Park, the Tengboche Monastery is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery. Trekkers and those on expeditions visit the monastery to seek blessings for a safe journey.

A few Googlers decided to capture imagery of some of the world’s tallest peaks and make these photos available in Google Maps for all to see.

Lava Tower is a large rock formation along the Lemosho and Machame routes. From the top of Lava Tower, you can see spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.

This long bridge spans a chasm along the trekking route from Lukla to Namche Bazaar in Nepal. Mudslide Bridge has been destroyed by the elements multiple times, most recently in September 2011.

Most expeditions to the highest point on Earth are staged at Everest Base Camp (EBC). The route to EBC is one of the most popular trekking routes in the Himalayas and is visited by thousands of trekkers each year.

On each expedition, Google photographers carried camera equipment and captured a collection of panoramas at key camps and other interesting stops along the way, including a Buddhist monastery on the Everest trek and Soviet barrel huts on Mount Elbrus.

Those on expeditions to the summit of Mount Elbrus can take shelter in Diesel Huts from the often hostile weather.