Makalu

Makalu, the world’s fifth-highest peak at 8,485 meters (27,838 feet), rises as a solitary pyramid on the Nepal-Tibet border. Renowned for its steep, knife-edged ridges and technical climbs, it boasts a 40% summit success rate—lower than Everest’s. First conquered in 1955, its name means "Great Black" in Tibetan, referencing its dark granite faces. The isolated Makalu Barun Valley shelters rare species like red pandas, making it a biodiversity hotspot. A climber’s dream and a natural fortress, it balances raw beauty with deadly challenges.