Facts About Mount Makalu

The Makalu Base Camp Trek is an exciting trek to the base of Mount Makalu (8,485m), the world's fifth-highest peak. Makalu is located in the out-of-the-way eastern Himalayas in Nepal. In this article, we will find out the most amazing facts about Mount Makalu.

Makalu Trail is a secret treasure trove that provides a one-of-a-kind experience based on rugged terrain, a variety of ecosystems, and incredible vistas of Himalayan giants such as Everest, Lhotse, Chamlang, and Baruntse.p

In contrast to the more popular trails of Annapurna or Everest, the Makalu area is tranquil, remote and pristine, and therefore, ideal for those wanting to be abandoned and experience adventure in feral form.

About Makalu and its Makalu Base Camp

Makalu Base Camp Trek engages you in Makalu-Barun National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its diversity. Trees in the dense forests of rhododendron and pine forests with cascade waterfalls, glaciers, rivers, and rare animals such as the red pandas, Himalayan black bears, and snow leopards are present in this Park.

The trail evolves from dense subtropical glades to mountainous alpine scenery and finally to the high-altitude land of the Makalu Base Camp (4,870 m). The changing scenery is as diverse as it is breathtaking, offering a true feast for the senses.

One of the most fascinating features of this trek is the cultural encounters. When you travel through rural areas and villages, you will experience the welcome of the Rai, Limbu, and Sherpa people.

Trekking is strenuous, with steep gradients, rocky trails, and adverse weather, and is most suitable for experienced trekkers. However, the rewards are immense—panoramic mountain views, pristine natural beauty, and the sense of accomplishment from exploring one of Nepal’s most isolated regions.

For those of us looking for an authentically adventurous excursion in the Himalayas, the Makalu Base Camp Trek provides an exceptional chance to explore Nepal's pristine wilderness and cultural treasures. This trek is not just a journey to the base of a towering peak but a transformative experience that stays with you long after you’ve left the trails.

20 Amazing Facts about Mount Makalu

1. Makalu is the Fifth-Highest Mountain in the world

Standing at a staggering 8,485 meters (27,838 feet) above sea level, Makalu is the fifth-highest peak on Earth. This is one of the amazing facts about Mount Makalu.

In the Mahalangur Himalayas of Nepal, Makalu Mountain is a colossal mountain that commands awe and admiration for its massive stature and challenging terrain. It is one of a unique pyramid-like structure with four edges and sharp ridges, making it different from other Himalayan giants.

The height of Makalu was first precisely estimated during British explorers' early investigations into the Himalayas in the 19th century. Because of its enormous scale and remote location, it is considered one of the most daunting and least-climbed eight-thousand-metre mountains.

2. Makalu’s Name Has Spiritual Significance

The base of the name "Makalu" is the Sanskrit word "Maha-Kala," meaning "Great Black One," relating to the Hindu deity Shiva. 

Shiva is a powerful and revered deity in Hindu mythology, a bringer of destruction and creation, making the naming appropriate for this impressive and dramatic mountain.

Local Sherpa groups consider Makalu a sacred mountain, the abode of deities guarding the area. Climbers and trekkers, for example, often undergo ceremonies and request prayers before taking on the challenge of the slopes.

3. Makalu’s Iconic Pyramid Shape

Makalu is recognized for its unique pyramid shape with four steep slopes forming a perfect geometric form. Because of its sharp edges and steep faces, it remains one of the most strikingly beautiful mountains in the world.

In contrast to Everest, whose slopes are in part less steep on some sides, Makalu's ridges have a challenging climbing nature.

The mountain is remarkably photogenic because of its legendary silhouette, and climbers often praise its symmetry from the base camp or neighbouring peaks.

4. Part of the Makalu-Barun National Park

Makalu is located within the Makalu-Barun National Park, a protected area covering 1,500 square kilometres. This Park is a treasure trove of biodiversity, hosting a range of ecosystems from tropical forests to alpine tundra. 

It is one of the few places in the world where towering Himalayan peaks coexist with dense forests that teem with life.

The Park is home to over 3,000 species of plants, 440 species of birds, and 75 species of mammals, including rare animals like the red panda, snow leopard, and Himalayan black bear.

5. First Ascent in 1955

For the first time, a French expedition directed by Jean Franco successfully climbed Makalu on 15 May 1955. The team included Lionel Terray and Jean Couzy, who reached the summit without supplemenQSQDtal oxygen—a remarkable feat at the time. This successful ascent marked a milestone in Himalayan mountaineering. This is also a fact about Mount Makalu.

However, the French team's disciplined, precise strategy organisation, meticulous planning, and teamwork were templates for subsequent missions. Their success on Makalu allowed further exploration of Nepal's 8,000m-high peaks.

6. Challenging Climbing Routes

It is finessed by Makalu's steep ridges, sharp edges and exposed faces and is one of the most technically demanding 8,000-meter peaks. The conventional trail along Northwest Ridge consists of mixed ice, rock climbing, and dangerous crevasses traversing.

The West Pillar Route (first climbed in 1971) is more difficult and demands high technical skill and physique fitness. These properties help explain why Makalu is a peak for ambitious climbers only.

7. Remote and Isolated Location

Makalu is inaccessible in the east of Nepal, near the Nepal-Tibet border. Unlike the more accessible Everest or Annapurna regions, the Makalu area requires days of trekking through rugged terrain to reach the base camp.

This isolation has kept the region pristine and less commercialised. Trekkers and climbers typically speak about the trek to Makalu as a pilgrimage back to the primordial wild, pristine beauty of the Himalayas.

8. Makalu Base Camp Trek

The Makalu Base Camp Trek is one of Nepal's most demanding and rewarding trekking trails. This non-commercial, off-the-beaten-track walk guides explorers past verdant valleys, dense woods, high-altitude cols and uninhabited villages. 

The trail is quieter and provides solitude and a more personal relationship with the natural world.

The trek usually takes 18–22 days and involves crossing Shipton La Pass (4,200m) and Keke La Pass (4,127m). Reaching the base camp at 4,870 m presents an awe-inspiring panorama of Makalu and the surrounding peaks.

9. Makalu-Barun Valley

The Makalu-Barun Valley is remote in the Himalayas. It lies in the heart of the Makalu-Barun National Park and offers a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage. Snow-covered peaks, thick woods, and overflowing falls enclose the valley.

Treks in the Makalu-Barun Valley are excursions in history since the area is still an unmolded frontier. Traditional agricultural farming is still carried out in the local communities, and the cultural heritage is preserved.

10. Climbing Season

The best time to climb Makalu is during the spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) climbing seasons. These seasons provide consistent weather, clear skies, and reasonably good snow. 

Spring is particularly popular due to the blooming rhododendron forests along the trekking trail.

Climbers must be prepared for rapidly changing weather conditions, as the mountain’s high altitude and exposed ridges make it vulnerable to sudden storms.

11. Climbing Challenges

The climbing difficulty of Makalu is extreme altitude, cold, and technical. Climbers have to tackle steep ice walls, crevasses, and narrow grooves. The summit trek is especially challenging regarding low air and strong wind exposure.

These challenges also mark Makalu as a mountain for proficient climbers with high-altitude experience. Nonetheless, Makalu remains difficult to climb and attracts adventurers from all over the globe.

12. Glacial Features

Makalu is surrounded by enormous glaciers that sustain the region's rivers and shape its special ecology. The Barun Glacier is one of the most striking features, extending from the mountain's base and creating glacial lakes and streams.

These glaciers are important for local communities, serving as a freshwater source for agriculture and maintaining an area's biodiversity. Nevertheless, climate change makes them vulnerable, with increasing temperatures leading to glacial turnover.

13. Views of Neighboring Peaks

From the Makalu Base Camp, trekkers and climbers are treated to panoramic views of some of the world’s highest peaks, including Mount Everest, Lhotse, Chamlang, and Baruntse. The Makalu area provides some of the most beautiful scenery in the Himalayas.

The topographic coincidence of so many peaks gives it the most dramatic appearance, generating feelings of wonder and reverence for the great energy of the natural world.

14. Cultural Significance

Various ethnic groups, including Rai, Limbu, and Sherpa, inhabit Makalu. Many of these subgroups express a unique culture, a specific language, and a specific set of embodied traditions over which individuals exert collective control

across generations. The inhabitants are famous for their friendly hospitality and ability to adhere to the extreme local climate.

Trekkers and climbers are frequently allowed to interact with these communities, witnessing and learning about their lifestyle and spirituality toward the mountains.

15. Flora and Fauna

The Makalu-Barun National Park is a biodiversity hotspot. The lowlands are forested by rhododendrons, oak, and pine, and the higher lands consist of alpine meadows and rocky landscapes. Exotic species, including Himalayan blue poppy and medicinal plants, occur in this area and prosper in this habitat.

Wildlife watchers can see red pandas, snow leopards, musk deer, and many species of birds, such as the Himalayan monal and blood pheasant.

16. Makalu’s East Face

The east face of Makalu is one of the world's steepest and most difficult climbing routes. This enormous ice and rock wall forms a steep climb demanding high technical skills and mind/body stamina.

A few climbers try this route, which is still one of the most poorly explored parts of the mountain.

17. The Summit Pyramid

The top of Makalu is a four-sided pyramid, with each ridge offering a different problem. However, the final climb to the top is notoriously challenging, involving tight ridges and exposed areas that challenge even seasoned, experienced mountaineers.

Conquering the summit is an ultimate test of endurance, skill, and willpower, making it one of the most satisfying mountaineering accomplishments.

18. Environmental Conservation

The Makalu-Barun National Park preserves a model of conservation in the Himalayas. Its special strategy combines scientific research, local participation, and Indigenous knowledge to conserve its vulnerable ecosystems.

Work is in progress to address the implications of climate change, support sustainable tourism, and protect the area's natural and cultural heritage.