Makalu is the fifth-highest mountain on Earth, rising to 8,485 metres in the Himalayas.
The mountain lies on the Nepal–China border about 19 kilometres southeast of Mount Everest. It is recognized by its distinctive four-sided pyramid shape and steep, exposed ridges, features that make climbing technically demanding even for experienced high-altitude mountaineers.
A French expedition made the first successful ascent on 15 May 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 Manaslu or Dhaulagiri because all are Nepalese eight-thousanders. Its ranking is based on elevation above sea level, not prominence or climbing difficulty.