Ever since humankind could stand, there has been a desire to conquer mountains. Their sheer majesty, not to mention their individual characters and microclimates, provide endless fodder for the adventurous photographer. Here are 16 superb mountainscapes to get your creative juices flowing.

Stormy Patagonia by MayMah, Nikon D800E, 30mm, 1/15sec at f/11, ISO 200

Karst sunrise by Cedar K, Canon EOS 5D Mark III, TS-E24mm f/3.5L II, 1/60sec at f/10, ISO 100

Landmannalaugar by Doney D, Nikon D810, 24-70mm f/2.8 at 70mm, 1/400sec at f/9, ISO 200

Emerald winter by Paul C, Nikon D80, 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 at 17mm, 1/250sec at f/8, ISO 200

Between the showers by Richie Johns, Nikon D7000, 10-20mm f/4-5.6 at 16mm, 1/30sec at f/16, ISO 200

Untitled by Sophie Schneeberger, Nikon D810, 14-24mm f/2.8, 124 seconds at f/22, ISO 100

Alps in miniature by Vladimir Yaskiv

Black Fuji by Philip Graham, Nikon D90, 145mm, 1/3200sec at f/7.1, ISO 200

Ribbons of light by Jürg Homberger

Desert mornings by razvaniliescu, Nikon D610, 16-35mm f/4 at 35mm, 1/6sec at f/14, ISO 100

Mount Trump by Torsten Richertz, Sony A7R, FE 16-35mm F4 ZA OSS at 33mm, 20 seconds at f/11, ISO 100

El Capitan, Yosemite National Park by Dzung Tran

Driftwood by Andy Gray, Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM at 16mm, 1/40sec at f/11, ISO 50

Auyuittuq Panorama by Andrew Robertson, Canon EOS 5D Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM at 70mm, 1/8sec at f/14, ISO 100

From the river to the mountains by Danny Berta, Nikon D810, 17-35mm f/2.8 at 17mm, 121 seconds at f/16, ISO 100

First light by Christine Jacobson, Nikon D750, 24-70mm f/2.8 at 65mm, 30 seconds at f/22, ISO 100