Makalu
was first climbed by a French party in 1955. By 1996, 160 climbers from
125 expeditions had reached the summit - 15 climbers having died in
their attempts. The peak was first mapped and photographed from the
Tibetan side by the 1921 British Everest Reconnaissance.
Makalu is one of the harder
eight-thousanders, and is considered one of
the most difficult mountains in the world to climb. The mountain is
notorious for its steep pitches and knife-edged ridges that are
completely open to the elements.