Makalu - Definition and Overview

Makalu
Makalu is 22 km east of Mt. Everest
Elevation:	8,462 metres (27,765 feet) Ranked 5th
Latitude:	27° 53′ 03″ N
Longitude:	87° 05′ 20″ E
Location:	Nepal-Tibet
Range:	Himalaya
First ascent:	May 15 1955 by a French team
Easiest route:	snow/ice climb

Makalu is the fifth highest mountain in the world and is located 22 km (14 mi) east of Mount Everest. Makalu is an isolated peak whose shape is a four-sided pyramid. Rising just north of the higher summit, separated by a narrow saddle, is Chomo Lonzo (7,818m/25,650') a subsidiary peak of Makalu.

Makalu was first climbed on May 15, 1955 by Lionel Terray and Jean Couzy of a French expedition led by Jean Franco, after the team's first attempt failed in 1954. Franco and two other climbers summitted the next day. The French team climbed Makalu by the north face and NE ridge.

The first attempt on Makalu was made by an American team in the spring of 1954. They attempted to reach the top via the SE ridge but were turned back at 7,100 metres by a constant barrage of storms. The first ascent by the SE ridge was made by two climbers from a Japanese expedition on May 23, 1970.

External links

• Makalu on SummitPost (http://www.summitpost.org/show/mountain_link.pl/mountain_id/119)
• Makalu on Peakware (http://www.peakware.com/encyclopedia/peaks/makalu.htm)
• The British Services Makalu Expedition 2004 (http://www.makalu2004.com/)