Makalu Expedition
- Overview
- Itinerary
- Map
- Gallery
Overview
Mt. Makalu lounge to the 20km east of Everest in the Khumbu region, is renowned as the fifth tallest mountain in the World. It is a unique isolated peak which is popular for its impressive and perfect pyramid shape with its four sharp ridges. It is surrounded by the Makalu Barun National Park which is its location and placed on the boundary between Nepal and China. Makalu was one of the hardest peaks for climbing among the 8000m peaks in the Himalayas with its proof that only the fifth of the sixteen attempts were successful. The mountain has challenging steep pitches and knife, while the final ascent of the summit pyramid involves technical rock climbing. Chomolonzo (25,650ft) is the subordinate peak of the Mount Makalu which rises just from the north of higher summit, separated by the narrow encumber.
The first endeavor on Makalu was made by an American team in the spring of 1954 directed by William Siri. Their attempts was on the southeast ridge but were turned back at 7,100m by a constant barrage of storms. After the several attempts, Makalu was first climbed on 15th May 1955 by Lionel Terray and Jean Couzy, members of French Expedition escorted by Jean Franco. The very next day of their successful climb, Franco, G. Magnone and Gyaltsen Norbu also summitted, followed by Bouvier, S. Coupe, Leroux and A. Viallete on the 17th May. This expedition climbed from north face and northeast ridge via the saddle between Makalu and Kangchungtse which consequently became the standard route among other five routes.
Itinerary
Day 01: Arrive Kathmandu. Transfer to Hotel.
Day 02-03: Guided sightseeing in Kathmandu. Making the final necessary preparations for the expedition.
Day 04: Kathmandu-Tumlingtar, Trek to Khadbari
Day 05: Trek to Chichila
Day 06: Trek to Num
Day 07: Trek to Sedua
Day 08: Trek to Tashi Gaon
Day 09: Trek to Kauma
Day 10: Rest day at Kauma
Day 11: Trek to Mumbuk
Day 12: Trek to Nhe Kharka
Day 13: Trek to Sherson
Day 14: Trek to Makalu Base Camp
Day 15: Rest day at Makalu base camp (for the necessary acclimatization & arrangements for the high camp).
Day 16: Makalu (Higher) Base Camp (5600m).
Day 17-46: Climbing Period for Makalu 1(8463m.)
Day 47: Makalu BC – Mumbuk
Day 48: Mumbuk – Khongma La (Danda)
Day 49: Khongma La – Seduwa
Day 50: Seduwa – Chichila.
Day 51: Chichila – Tumlingtar.
Day 52: Tumlingtar – Kathmandu.
Day 53: In Kathmandu. (Process for the refund of Garbage Deposit.)
Day 54: Free day in Kathmandu.
Day 55: Final Departure.