Mount Makalu is one of the most sought-after mountains in the world that many mountaineers wish to climb. The mountain is the fifth tallest mountain in the world and has been famous as one of the most difficult to climb among the 14 peaks. To many people, the time taken to climb Makalu has also been a reason for concern. And in this article, we have made sure to include everything you need to know about climbing Mount Makalu.
Make sure to read till the end of this article to know how long it takes to climb Mount Makalu!
Overview of Mount Makalu
Mount Makalu is the fifth tallest mountain in the world and one of the fourteen peaks. The peak stands tall at the height of 8,485 meters (27,838 ft). Moreover, it is situated in the Mahalangur Himalayas, which is 19 km (12 mi) southeast of Mount Everest. The peak is located on the border of Nepal and China. However, a lot of mountaineers tend to climb the mountain from the Nepali side of the peak.
Mount Makalu, though famous, is an isolated mountain. And, there have not been a lot of people who have expedited the mountain as much as other famous eight thousanders have been. Likewise, Mount Makalu has caused the deaths of at least 40 mountaineers. A French alpinist even disappeared mysteriously in the mountain in the year 2006. Hence, Mount Makalu, to a lot of mountaineers, has been even more difficult than climbing Mount Everest.
The time taken to climb Mount Makalu is fairly long, given the fact that this peak is both tall and dangerous at the same time.
How long does it take to climb Mount Makalu?
Climbing Mount Makalu is likely to take you around 55 days. The peak at the height of 8463m is not everyone’s cup of tea. Though the mountain has been known as a mountaineer’s mountain just like Kanchenjunga and Annapurna, the difficulty is just as high.
A lot of people travel to the base camp directly through an airplane. However, if you are planning to take a road vehicle, you are likely to be traveling from a jeep. The journey to Mount Makalu will require one to take proper rest and have enough acclimatization so that he successfully climbs the peak. And acclimatization, rest, and preparation are always done in the base camp. You have to cross rivers and several dirt roads when you are on your way to the base camp from a jeep. Many lodges have been established in the area as of now. In the past, there weren’t many lodges and hotels there.
The Advanced Base Camp (ABC) is at a height of 5,700m. There are four camps above the Advanced Base Camp. Camp I on a glacier plateau is at 6,150 meters, Camp II is at 7,000 meters, Camp III is at 7,300 meters, and Camp IV is at 7,850 meters on the North Ridge.
After you cross Camp IV, however, you will face lots of difficulties in reaching the summit. The time taken is probably numerous hours and even days. Taking along an experienced Sherpa guide and porters to guide you and carry your belongings along with oxygen cylinders and equipment is just as necessary when you are at the height.
Mount Makalu Expedition Itinerary
DAY 01: Arrival at Kathmandu.
DAY 02: Briefings and documentation followed by packing for the climb.
DAY 03: Kathmandu-Tumlingtar, trek to Khadbari
DAY 04: Khadbari to Chichila
DAY 05: Trek from Chichila to Num
DAY 06: Trek from Mum to Sedua
DAY 07: Trek from Seuda to Tashi Gaon
DAY 08: Tashi Gaon to Kauma
DAY 09: Rest day at Kauma
DAY 10: Kauma to Mumbuk
DAY 11: Mumbuk to Neh Kharkha
DAY 12: Neh Kharka to Sherson
DAY 13: Sherson to Makalu Base Camp
DAY 14: Exploration of Makalu Base Camp at 5,000 m
DAY 15: Rest day at Makalu Base Camp at 5,000 m
DAY 16-45: Climbing span for Makalu at 8,463m
DAY 46: Makalu Base Camp to Neh Kharka at 3,700 m
DAY 47: Neh Kharka to Mumbuk at 3,570 m
DAY 48: Mumbik at 3,570 m to Kauma at 3,470 m
DAY 49: Kauma to Tashi Gaon at 2,070 m
DAY 50: Trek to Pakuwa
DAY 51: Pakuwa to Bumlung
DAY 52: Bumling to Tumlingtar
DAY 53: Flight from Tumlingtar to Kathmandu
DAY 54: Day in Kathmandu
DAY 55: Final Departure.
Can anyone climb Mount Makalu?
The question of whether just anyone can climb Mount Makalu or not is very tricky. The mountain is mysterious and isolated. Many instances in the past have proven that only having mountaineering and alpine experience is not plentiful to summit the mountain. However, several other climbers have proven that climbing Mount Makalu is quite possible.
Like any other mountain, Mount Makalu has some requirements for the climbers to be able to summit it successfully. One has to be physically fit and mentally strong, with the experience of having climbed several mountains above the height of at least 5,000 m before attempting to climb Makalu. Furthermore, a consideration to be taken is that one needs to be active in many other arenas of sports and, most preferably, mountaineering if he wants to climb Mount Makalu.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Makalu difficult to climb?
Yes, Mount Makalu is one of the most difficult mountains to climb in the world. And it is quite a technical mountain.
How much does it cost to summit Makalu?
Mount Makalu will cost you 12000 USD per head.
How long is Mount Makalu?
Mount Makalu is 8,485 metres (27,838 ft).
How many people died on Makalu?
40 people have died on Makalu.
Who ascended Makalu the first?
Two French mountaineers, Lionel Terray and Jean Couzy, ascended Makalu for the first time in 1955.
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