Makalu is the world’s fifth-highest mountain, rising to 8,485 metres.
The isolated peak lies on the Nepal–China border about 19 kilometres southeast of Mount Everest. Its four-sided pyramid shape and sharp ridges make it especially recognizable in photographs and topographic views.
A French expedition made the first successful ascent in 1955. Lionel Terray and Jean Couzy reached the summit, followed by other members of the team over the next two days. The expedition used a route on Makalu’s northwestern side.
Makalu is often confused with nearby Everest-region peaks because it belongs to the same Himalayan landscape. Unlike Cho Oyu, which is generally regarded as one of the more accessible 8,000-metre mountains, Makalu has steep technical sections that make climbing considerably more demanding.