Mount Makalu (8485m/27,838ft) by an American team led by William Siri for the first time climbed in the spring of 1954. Mount Makalu Expedition was composed of Sierra Club members, including Allen Steck, William E. Long, and was called the California Himalayan Expedition to Makalu. They attempted the southeast ridge but were turned back at 7,100 m (23,300 ft) by a constant barrage of storms. A New Zealand team, including Sir Edmund Hillary, was also active in the spring but did not get very high due to injury and illness. In the fall of 1954, a French reconnaissance expedition made the first ascents of the subsidiary summits Kangchungtse May 15, 1955, by Lionel Terray and Jean Couzy during a French trip to Jean Franco. The expedition was composed of Sierra Club members, including Allen Steck, William E. Long, and was called the California Himalayan Expedition to Makalu. A New Zealand team, including Edmund Hillary, attempted the route but was turned back due to injury and illness. These were all significant achievements especially considering that Makalu is such a rugged peak.
The fifth highest mountain globally, Makalu, lies in the Mahalangur Himalayas, which is 19 km southeast of Mount Everest. On the line among Nepal and China, one of the eight-thousanders, Makalu is a disconnected pinnacle whose shape is a four-sided pyramid.
The Southeast Ridge and the Northwest Ridge are the main climbing routes on Mt. Makalu. The 8485m peak usually takes around 54 days to climb. Most climbers can climb Makalu in both the spring and autumn seasons. However, spring is more suitable for good weather and snow conditions. It lies at the coordinates of 27°53'21" N and 87°05'27" E. The way to deal with Makalu is lovely and exquisite. The Barun Valley gives shocking differentiations where high cascades course into profound chasms, rugged rocks ascend from great green woods, and bright blossoms sprout underneath white snow tops. This particular scene shields a portion of the keep going clean mountain environments on earth. Uncommon types of creatures and plants prosper in different environments and natural surroundings, generally undisturbed by humankind. With seven valleys radiating from Mt. Makalu and its almost symmetrical four ridges, it presents an incredibly balanced elegance. Within this wide range of altitudes and climates, the Makalu-Barun area contains some of Nepal's richest and most diverse flora and fauna. Various ethnic communities of Rai, Sherpa, and Shingsawa have inhibited the lower parts of the country.
The climbing itself is appropriate for both the experienced climber and the novice climber making their first 8,000-meter peak ascent. The climbing consists of easy glaciers low on the mountain, steep ice and snow climbing to the Makalu La, and a final rock ridge to the summit above Camp IV. Makalu is a steep and consistent climb, and in the spring season has excellent snow coverage and low hazards like icefalls, rock falling, and avalanche. Satori Adventures utilizes oxygen above 7,200 meters and Sherpa support with fixed ropes throughout the climb. Each climbing day is reasonable in length and difficulty. However, Satori Adventures will provide only Base Camp Administrations for climbers who need to do the top in an unsupported style. The other energizing part of climbing Makalu is the absence of groups. While we hope to impart the mountain to different groups, they will be little and robust for the most part. It gives us support on the hill to establish the route and ropes but avoids any overcrowding common on other 8000-meter peaks.
The trekking into the base camp and Makalu is breathtaking and takes you back in time when you approached all Himalayan mountains on foot. After a 25 minute flight from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar, the trek begins from a low elevation of 920m. Climbers have a great chance to acclimatizes the trail goes through Num (1800m), Seduwa (1510m), Tashi Gaon (2070m), Khongma(3760m), Mumbuk (3550m), Yangri Kharka (3600m), Sherson (4800m) and finally Makalu base camp (4870m). It is the perfect way to acclimatize before base camp reach and to take on climbing relatively quickly.
Satori Adventures always follows a cautious acclimatization schedule. We will utilize four camps on the mountain and use center I and camp II for acclimatization purposes, climbing to 7000m before descending to advanced base camp in anticipation of a summit attempt. The summit push will go directly from camp IItocamp III on the Makalu La, and we will then place camp IV to create a shorter summit day. Traditionally there is a meager base camp, ABC camp at 5500m, C1 (6,500m), C2 (7,300m) at the bottom of the Southeast peak ridge, and C3 (7,900m) and a high camp.
Makalu Advanced base camp lies on a rocky moraine with amazing views of the Himalaya. For almost one month, Satori Adventures will set up an advanced base camp. On an 8000m, expedition climbers spend most of their time at base camp, so naturally, base camp becomes a home away from home on any long expedition. We establish our camp at a walking distance between different groups and a Makalu massif's strategic view. Satori provides a personal tent that becomes your private retreat, a dining tent, a common area, a shower tent, and a toilet tent. When you arrive at base camp, it will already be fully established, with hot beverages and snacks available immediately. There will be your base camp staff and high altitude climbing Sherpa. Before your climbing period, you will have a Puja ceremony at the base camp for good luck. This Nepalese tradition is not to miss, and it represents a safe climbing passage for everyone involved in the expedition.
Once you have reviewed basic and advanced training by your climbing Sherpa guide, you will be ready for your attempt to climb to camp I, which is at the height of 6400m/21,000ft. You will encounter grassy slopes, rock slabs, and moraine in the first section of the glacier. Once on the glacier, you will experience mixed terrain, including a few crevasses and 200m of blue ice. The first section of climbing on the moraine takes about an hour after that, and you reach the crampon point at the glacier's mouth; the glacier portion takes about 2 hours. For average climbers, it takes about 3-4 hours. Camp I is divided into two sections, the lower camp I and upper base I; the distance between the two is 100m/328ft. So base one is fixed between 6400m-6500m.
The climbing from camp I to camp II is considered the intermediate technical section on Mt. Makalu. During this section, you encounter the heart of ice and snow. The first section is slogging over snow for about an hour, and then you meet several steep areas of ice; there are small sections of ice fall that do not require a ladder. The support of fixed ropes areas can cross, a few significant steps, and some steep snow climbing. For most people, this is the crux of the route. This section will take slow climbers about 2½-3 hours. Camp 2 lies above the snowy terrace.
The distance from camp II to camp III is the most extended section of the route, and it extends 600m/1,968ft. It does not require any ladder crossings, but a few crevasses are roughly a half meter long that need to jump. A climbing Sherpa team fixes the main ropes. This section for most climbers feels more comfortable, but still, it is not to take lightly. The climbing is on sustained slopes, and there is exposure to cold and wind. However, there have been reports of direct sun hitting this section in spring, making it feel hot. The camp that 40% of climbers plan to do their summit push. However, Satori Adventures always fixes camp IV before the summit so that clients can get a half night's rest. This section takes about 4 hours for average climbers and 5 hours for slower and first time 8000m climbers.
Climbing from camp III to camp IV feels like a short day, the distance is short, but now you are nearing the death zone. The oxygen levels are deficient at this altitude, so it expects that any effort, no matter how minimal or trivial, will feel arduous. In this section, you have to climb for 3 hours on steep snow on a 50º-55º slope. This section is a little dangerous in the autumn season because the snow slope covers a layer of ice that makes the section avalanche prone. The reason that Satori Adventures only operates in the spring season. Many consider the crux of t route to be the Seignior Wall, which will cross here. Above right above Makalu la will set up camp. The Satori team makes an easy traverse to camp IV at 7900m, which allows you to have a shorter summit day.
The main goal during the climbing period is the summit. Most climbers start their highest point offer at 11:00 pm. If all works out positively, they arrive at the meeting between 7-10 am. Under the most noteworthy point is a counterfeit finish; the central panel reached via an exposed ridge. It takes about 5 hours to return to Camp 4 from the end and another 2 hours to get to camp three for an overnight stay. The climbing is not technical in the early part as you ascend through several basins with short snow headwalls. The climb passes the false summit and finishes on an exposed ridge to the proper forum for a spectacular view of the mighty Himalaya. Satori Adventures Sherpa guides will fix ropes, break trail, and make every effort to help the group reach the summit of the 5th highest mountain in the world.
Highest access: 8485m (27,838ft)
First Ascent: J. Franco's French Expedition. Jean Couzy and Lionel Terray. 1955
Duration: 62 days (typically) Days
Group Size: 01-10 persons per Group.
Co-ordinates: 27°53'21''N / 87°05'27''E
Location: Mahalangur Parbat
Country: Nepal
Airport: Kathmandu (KTM)
Departure From: Kathmandu (KTM)
Grade: PD+ Scottish Grade III/IV
Accommodation: Tourists request-five star hotel
Meals: B/B plan in Kathmandu. B,L,D during the trekking and climbing periods
Transportation: Car, Flight, Tourist bus
Best season: Late spring (traditionally less hazardous) and autumn
Major Activity: Trekking/Mountaineering
Include Activity: Scenic flight to Tumlingtar
Culture: Sherpa and Rai
Mode of Travel: Tea House/Camping
Climbing route: South East Ridge/ Northwest Ridge
Himalayan sights: Everest, Lhotse, Kanchenjunga
01 April/Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu Airport and transfer to hotel Yak and Yeti or similar hotel accommodation in Kathmandu (1350M/4,430ft).
2-3 April/Day2-3:Preparation and briefings at the Departments of Tourism. Last minute shopping.
04 April/Day 04: Fly from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar. 50min.Drive to Num (1980m/6,496ft)6-7hrs.Lodge/camping accommodation.
05 April/Day 05: Trek from Num to Seduwa (1500m/4,922ft) 6-7hrs. Lodge/camping accommodation.
06 April/Day 06: Trek from Seduwa to Tashigaoun(2100m/6,890ft) 6-7hrs.Lodge/camping accommodation.
07 April/Day 07: Trek from Tashigaoun to Khongma Danda(3500m/11483ft) 6-7hrs.Lodge/camping accommodation.
08 April/Day 08: Exploration and Acclimatization day at Khongma(3500m/11,483ft) 06-07hrs.Lodge accommodation.
09 April/Day 09: Trek from Khongma to Dobsto (3650m/11,975ft) 6-7hrs.Lodge/camping accommodation.
10 April/Day 10: Trek from Dobute to Yangle Kharka (3600m/11,811ft) 6-7hrs.Lodge/camping accommodation.
11 April/Day 11: Trek from Yangle Kharka to Langmale Kharka (4410m/14469ft) 6-7hrs.Lodge/camping accommodation.
12 April/Day 12: Exploration and Acclimatization day at Langmale Kharka(4410m/14,469ft) Lodge/camping accommodation.
13 April/Day 13: Trek from Langmale Kharka to Makalu Base Camp (5018m/16,464ft) 6hrs.Lodge/camping accommodation.
14 April/Day 14: Rest and acclimatization at Hillary base camp (5018m/16,464ft)
15 April/Day 15: Trek from Hillary base camp to Advance base Camp (5600m/18,373ft) 5hrs.
16-23 May/D16-53: Climbing period for Makalu (8485M/27,838ft)
24 May/Day 54: Trek from Advance Base Camp to Yangli Kharka (3600m/11,811ft) 6-7hrs.Lodge/camping accommodation.
25 May/Day 55: Trek from Yangli Kharka to Dobato (3650m/11,975ft) 6-7hrs.Lodge/camping accommodation.
26 May/Day 56: Trek from Dobute to Khongma (3500m/11,483ft) 6-7hrs.Lodge/camping accommodation.
27 May/Day 57: Trek from Khongma to Seduwa(1500m/4,922ft) 6-7hrs. Lodge/camping accommodation.
28 May/Day 58: Trek from Seduwa to Num (1980m/6,496ft) 6-7hrs.Lodge/camping accommodation.
29 May/Day 59: Drive from Num to Tumlingtar. 4hrs.Lodge accommodation.
30 May/Day 60: Fly from Tumlingtar to Kathmandu (30min) transfer to request category hotel accommodation in Kathmandu in B&B Plan.
31 May/Day 61: Leisure day & shopping in Kathmandu; Farewell celebration dinner with culture program in the Evening.
01 June/Day 62: Transfer to the airport for final departure
Satori Adventures has not able to include the cost of each package in the company website. Many of our clients have the same query: why Satori Adventures has not included the price in the package. To provide you service in reasonable cost and attempt to address your each requirement we desired to provide you with some information which directly affects the cost and also helps us breakdown the cost. That’s why, we have decided to clarify our customers that due to following reasons we have not included the cost in our website and package:
Due to the above position the price range for the same trip can vary widely. So, we would like to discuss with our client before offering the cost. Please feel free to contact Satori Adventures for any information about in your selected package.
In Base Camp
Satori Adventures provides very professional, helpful and friendly service from Kathmandu to the ABC as well as during the climb. Our objective is to provide a good quality, helpful, safe, friendly, stress free and comprehensive service to maximize your summit opportunity.
In the base camp our chefs and helpers will prepare and serve three delicious, freshly cooked and plentiful meals a day. We will also ensure that hot and cold drinks are available 24 hrs a day. In the base camp we provide spacious expedition quality personal tents for all our clients both with full board or base-camp service only. In base camp we also provide dining tent, kitchen tent, toilet facilities and portable shower facilities and tent accommodation for our staff.
In base camp we provide access to communication including satellite telephone and internet access, solar panels to charge your batteries and UHF/VHF hand held radios on the mountain to maintain communications between ABC and high camps.
Our camp manager as well as guides and climbing Sherpa’s have an extensive experience on multiple Everest climbs. They will ensure cooperation with other companies and organize base camp operations. In base camp our guides will work with other teams to ensure contribution from all operators for tasks such as route fixing and to ensure the safety of climbers from ABC to the summit.
It is important for each climber to choose the right expedition guide service that not only suites their needs, but provides the best safely and secure mountaineering experience possible. There are more than 1,700 trekking companies in Nepal who offer 8,000 meter expeditions including Everest, but only about 30 companies who operate 8,000 meter peaks on a regular basis. We are proud to be one of these 30 companies and consistently offer, run and succeed at these types of expeditions year after year.
It is very important that the climbers who choose Satori Adventures for this trip of a lifetime experience have expectations that are compatible with the program we offer and the style of expedition Satori Adventures runs. We do not want to simply “fill our expedition”, but instead we want to comprise a team of companionable people who are focused on reaching the summit with the highest level of support and safety standards that can be provided by a guiding service on Mt Everest. We team this with the best standards of food and quality equipment to further assist each client reach their full potential. We feel that we offer the best environment and opportunity for you to be successful on the world’s highest mountain.
We are always developing and growing our operational systems to ensure you participate will provide as much as facilities provided. We figure our expedition members do not deserve anything less during the trekking and climbing! In the interests of giving you the most optimal chance to summit, we limit our team size to ensure the group summits on the best weather day; sometimes there are less window days for summit in Everest. In big size of group offering cheap climbs often miss out as they split their groups over several potential summit days. We feel like our climbing members are feeling that they are climbing as a family and friends team even on international people. We accept maximum 08 people in a group and if we have more than that we always split in two groups. So that our base camp staff cooks, climbing Sherpa guide will fully taking care about you and provide service as per your desire.
The Satori Adventures methodology and tactical approach to climbing Mt Everest has seen us achieve the highest success rates and our extensive experience gives us the edge when it comes to making the right decisions. We provide a consistently higher Sherpa and Guide ratio than any other operator, resulting in more support and backup for your summit attempt and therefore a greater safety margin and chance of success. There is always a 1:1 ratio of the climbing Sherpa/guide and client. We always use professional and experienced climbing Sherpa or guides who have all reached the summit of Everest.
Our guides are professionals who are trained and assessed either via the International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations (IFMGA) resulting in a greater repertoire of skills that enables them to provide a dedicated level of security to you during the expedition, or many years of mountaineering experience on the world’s biggest peaks. Our guides are experience in both advanced and basic rescue courses and all have a minimum of 3 years guiding on Everest.
Satori Adventures Everest expeditions have been at the forefront of providing top communications for our Everest expeditions. This allows us to obtain and deliver comprehensive weather forecasts via U.S., European and Kathmandu weather forecasting. Our lead guide is always equipped with a satellite phone during the climbing and at base camp. Two way radio communications between climbing members, guides, Sherpa and base camp staff is also provided. There is also local mobile network available at base camp that provides easy connection with your family during your stay at base camp.
Satori Adventure focuses on comfortable conditions at base camp, including good quality food and other services. We find this helps clients with their overall success rate on the mountain. Our cooks are regarded as the best in the business, providing wholesome and appetizing meals with an agreeable array of menus to suit all your food requirements. The meals you are served on the mountain are also of the highest standard and designed to sustain you for the rigorous ascent. We offer various choices that will suit any diet plan, including vegetarian, Vegan, continental, Indian and others.If you have special food consideration, please provide this to us 60 days prior to the expedition so we can plan the best meals for your trip.
The approach on its south side is through the Barun region of Nepal leading up to Sarsing Kharka Glacier. It starts with the flight to Tumlingtar and the trek via Num (1980m/6,496ft), Seduwa (1500m/4,922ft) , Tashigaoun(2100m/6,890ft), Khongma Danda(3500m/11483ft) ,Dobsto (3650m/11,975ft),Yangle Kharka (3600m/11,811ft), Langmale Kharka (4410m/14469ft), Makalu Base Camp (5018m/16,464ft) to Advance base Camp (5600m/18,373ft). It takes typically 12 days to reach ABC from Kathmandu.
When you arrive at base camp, our staff will set up the camp and you will have time to rest and continue to acclimate. Upon completing a Pooja ceremony at base camp, our team of Sherpa’s will begin to open the route to camp I. When this is completed, our guides will begin to take clients and loads to camp I. Depending on your physical fitness and bodies’ reaction to altitude, you may stay at camp I for a second night, or move up to camp II and then descend back to base camp.
Our team will then open the route and fix the lines to camp II and supply the camp with gear, equipment and food. If required for acclimation and if the weather conditions allow, you may sleep a second night at camp II, or proceed up to camp III and then return. During your rest and time at base camp our team will continue to open the route, fix the camp and line and supply food, oxygen, and equipment and prepare for the summit push.
After your camp I and II acclimatization, our climbing guides will check the weather forecast, group fitness and recovery conditions. If upcoming weather reports, your physical fitness and conditions are good, we will begin the summit push. On the summit push, you will move to camp I, camp II and then camp III before moving to the summit. At camp III you will awake at 0100 hours and begin the summit push.
If due to any reason (bad weather, group physical fitness, accident, incidence) we have to return to base camp before the summit push, but still have climbing time, good weather conditions and climbers are interested for another summit push, we will provide one more opportunity. However, more than 98% of climbers either summit on the first try, or give up the trip after the first summit attempt.
1849: Makalu was registered by Indian Topographical expedition as Peak XIII.
1921: Topographical expedition leaded by Howard Burey made the description of the Makalu region and took pictures of the summit.
1951:A group of Britains Everest Committee led by Eric Shenton located the routes on theSouth face.
1954: First attempts of ascents: American mountaineers leaded by W. Seyra climbed up to 7100 m via the Southern ridge. Britain mountaineers reached 6 500 m in the direction to the North col.
First Ascent 1955: May15th Jan Cusi and Leonel Terrey summitted Makalu via the North col.
1970: Japanese mountaineers Ch. Takanaka and I. Otsaki climbed the South-East ridge of Makalu.
1971: West ridge was climbed. Members of French expedition J. Senior and B. Millet summit Makalu
T1973: Makalu, South face was climbed. (Czech expedition, leaded by Ivan Galfi).
1976: Makalu, South-West face was climbed via the buttress (Czech expedition, leaded by Ivan Galfi). Climbers that reached the summited included: M. Krissak , K. Shubert and Spaniard J. Kamprubi.
1981: (autumn) After the unsuccessful attempt to climb the West face Kukuchka successfully soloed the North-West buttress.
1990: (spring) For the first time a woman climbed the West ridge as a member of an American expedition, via one of the most difficult routes up the peak. Kitty Kalon-Griss and Jott Chat reached the summit on the 18th of May, from an altitude of 7800m.
1997: The West face was successfully summited. The Russian expedition to the West Face of Makalu, lead by Sergey Efimov climbed to the top on 21st of May via the most difficult route. The last part of the route went on Parago ridge. Summiteers included: Alexei Bolotov, Yuri Ermachek, Dmitri Pavlenko, Igor Bugachevski and Nikolai Jiline. For this ascent they were awarded the "Golden ice-axe".
2001: Sherpa Lhakpa Dorje became the first climber in history to summit Makalu twice.
2009: On February 9th, Italian Simone Moro and Kazakh Denis Urubko became the first people to make a successful winter ascent of Makalu. This was the final Nepali 8000 meter peak to be climbed in the winter.
I have done multiple Expeditions including 8000m peaks that have all been organized by Satori Adventures from the beginning on :) There haven been always "solutions" instead of "problems" and it helped the success of all of my trips that I was able to focus on climbing while I had somebody reliable to provide a trustworthy framework. The staff of Satori Adventure are very disciplined and experienced. They always planned and doing there best how to climb the mountain safely and successfully. My next 8000m mountain climbing will be accompanied by Satori adventures in the near future. See you Then!!! Jost
Satori Adventures Pvt. Ltd.
P. O. Box-21378, Naya Bazaar, Kathmandu, Nepal
Phone: +977-1-4965127
+977-1-4951250
Email: info@satoriadventuresnepal.com
Fax: +977-1-4965127
Mob: +977-9851031006
www.satoriadventuresnepal.com