Know Your Himals

FROM ISSUE # 147 (March 2008) | IN THIS ISSUE
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March Himal: Makalu

Makalu (8462m) is the fifth highest mountain in the world and is located only 20km east of Chomolungma (Mt Everest) on the Nepal-China border.

Makalu is a spectacular pyramid shaped peak made of pink granite. It is visible from high points in the mid-hills of central and eastern Nepal and even from the eastern Tarai and Darjeeling. However, it is blocked by lower, nearer mountains as one gets closer and comes into view only in the upper reaches of the Barun Valley.

Trekking to Makalu Base Camp is one of the wildest adventure walks in Nepal. You start from the airport at Tumlingtar, and cross a 4,600m pass from the Arun into the Barun Valley. The Barun is an isolated and pristine valley, densely forested and with rich biodiversity.

Makalu Base Camp is located on the Makalu Glacier right beneath the mountain's West Ridge from where the eastern Kangshung Face of Chomolungma and Lhotse can also be seen. The first attempt on Makalu via the southeast ridge was made by an American team in the spring of 1954. A New Zealand team including Sir Edmund Hillary and the French also tried to climb it.

Makalu was first climbed via the northeast ridge on 15 May, 1955 by Lionel Terray and Jean Couzy of a French expedition. Makalu is one of the more difficult eight-thousanders to climb with knife-like ridges and steep avalanche-prone faces and has never been climbed in winter. The final section near the summit need rock climbing at high altitude.

Winner of March Quiz: Nawang Nuru Sherpa from Maharajgunj,Kathmandu

April HIMAL QUIZ

What is this mountain? Send your answer to 
wave[at]himalmedia.com, with your name and contacts. The winner of the quiz will receive a subscription to WAVE for one year.