Makalu South Face

Makalu is the fifth highest mountain in the world at 8,481 metres (27,825 ft). It is located in the Mahalangur Himalayas 19 km southeast of Mount Everest, on the Tibet–Nepal border. Makalu is an striking isolated peak in the shape of a four-sided pyramid and it is regarded as one of the finest looking mountains in the entire Himalaya.

Composed principally of pink granite, Makalu has two notable subsidiary peaks. Kangchungtse, or Makalu II (7,678 m) lies about three kilometres (two miles) north-northwest of the main summit. Rising about 5 km north-northeast of the main summit across a broad plateau, and connected to Kangchungtse by a narrow, 7,200 m saddle, is Chomo Lonzo (7,804 m).

This image of the mountain's great south face was captured in early morning light at approximately 4,700 metres at the foot of the Baron Glacier between Shershon and Base Camp.