Mount Makalu is an isolated peak, located just 22 km east of Mount Everest & Situated between Everest and Kanchenjunga, on the Nepal-China border. Mt. Makalu is the 5th highest mountain on the Earth with its height 8,463m and considered one of the harder eight-thousanders. Mt. Makalu has steep pitches and knige-edged ridges. The final ascent of the summit pyramid involves technical rock climbing.
An American team in 1954 first attempted to climb but couldn't. It was first climbed on May 15, 1955 by Lionel Terray and Jean Couzy of a French expedition led by Jean Franco. Franco, G. Magnone and Sirdar Gyaltsen Norbu summitted the next day, followed by Bouvier, S. Coupe, Leroux and A. Vialatteon the 17th. The French team climbed Makalu by the north face and northeast ridge, via the saddle between Makalu and Kangchungtse (the Makalu-La), establishing the standard route.
