Makalu Himalaya

Located in the Mahalangur Himalayas, 19 km south-east of Everest and standing on the border between Nepal and Tibet, Makalu, 8,485 metres (27,838 ft), is the fifth highest mountain in the world. Makalu is essentially a part of the Khumbu Himalaya but such is the significance of this striking and isolated mountain that is merits mention in its own right. Unlike Everest and other mountains of the Khumbu Himalaya that are reached by routes through the valley of the Dudh Khosi River, the approach to Makalu is from the Arun Valley to the east. This lengthy route requires a crossing of the 4,127 metre Shipton Pass followed by the steady ascent of the remote and isolated Barun Valley.

This approach starts at Tumlingtar in the heart of the fertile, if not somehwat hot and humid, Arun Valley. A steady ascent through forest and open mountainsides leads to the multiple summited Shipton Pass with its tiny lakes and striking views along the Barun Valley towards Makalu. The Barun Valley is blessed with several high waterfalls that cascade into deep gorges, craggy rocks rise from lush green forests, and colorful flowers bloom beneath white snow peaks. This unique landscape shelters some of the last pristine mountain ecosystems on earth; rare species of animals and plants flourish in diverse climates and habitats, relatively undisturbed by the passage of the limited number of climbers who pass this way.

The route to reaches its climax at Nebe Kharka where it heads for Shershon and the moraines of the Lower Barun Glacier. In addition to the main peak, Makalu has two notable subsidiary peaks and several striking neighbours of either 7,000 or 6,000 metres. Kangchungtse, or Makalu 2, 7,678 metres (25,192ft) stands about 3 km north-northwest of the main summit, and Chomo Lonzo, 7,804 metres (25,604ft) 5 km (3.1 mi) north-east across a broad plateau, but sadly out of sight from the glacier below. Other notable peaks that are visible from the Lower Barun Glacier and worthy of interest include Baruntse, 7,220 metres (23,689ft), Chamlang, 7,290 metres (23,918ft) and Tutse (aka Peak 6), 6,739 metres (22,111ft).