What is the top of a mountain called?

Many terms are used to refer to the top of a mountain, including cap, crest, mountaintop, peak, pinnacle and summit. The highest mountain peak in the world is Mount Everest in the Himalayas.

The upper reaches of a mountain are typically composed of bare rock and snow, even in tropical climates. Mountain peaks receive a greater amount of precipitation than low lying areas as a consequence of the cooler air found at higher altitudes. Cold air is not able to carry as much moisture, leading to more frequent rainfall. The cold temperatures also prevent the snow found at the mountaintop from melting.