<Li> Kangchenjunga, 8,586 metres (28,169 ft). Presumed highest from 1847 until 1852 . Now known to be the 3rd highest mountain in the world . </Li> <Li> Mount Everest, 8,848 metres (29,029 ft). Established as highest in 1852 and officially confirmed in 1856 . </Li> <Li> K2, 8,611 metres (28,251 ft). Discovered in 1856 before Mt . Everest was officially confirmed, K2's elevation became something of an enigma until it was officially resolved at a later date . News media reported in 1986 that satellite measurements by the University of Washington during an expedition to K2 by George Wallenstein had given a height between 29,064 feet (8,859 m) and 29,228 feet (8,909 m). This erroneous figure was quickly retracted, and K2's status as second highest was reaffirmed . </Li>

Before mount everest was discovered which was the highest mountain in the world