The successful summit of Makalu (8,485 meters), the fifth-highest peak in the world, marks a significant achievement in the 2025 spring climbing season. On the morning of April 11, at approximately 10:20 AM Nepal time, a team of skilled Sherpas, led by the renowned Lakpa Sherpa (@makalulakpa), reached the summit of Makalu. Alongside Lakpa, Kipa Lamu Sherpa also achieved the summit, making it a successful mission for both climbers. This successful ascent follows the completion of the critical rope-fixing work by the team, which has now officially opened the route to the summit, allowing other climbers to begin their summit bids.
The rope-fixing team, consisting of experienced climbers, spent several days securing the ropes and ensuring the safety of the climbing route, which is crucial for high-altitude expeditions on mountains like Makalu. With the ropes now fixed to the summit, the summit bids have officially begun, and many climbers who have already completed their acclimatization rotations are preparing to push for the summit themselves.
Several members of the team, including some of the most experienced Sherpas in the region, have already completed their necessary acclimatization rotations, which are crucial for success in high-altitude climbs. Some climbers are now at base camp, readying themselves for their summit attempts in the coming days. As is common with expeditions to 8,000-meter peaks, the process involves multiple acclimatization rotations, where climbers gradually ascend and descend to help their bodies adjust to the thin air before making the final push for the summit.
The list of successful climbers who reached the summit of Makalu includes the following Sherpas: Lakpa Sherpa, Dawa Sherpa, Pemba Tasi Sherpa, Mingma Dorchi Sherpa, Mingma Tenje Sherpa, Pasang Dawa Sherpa, Pasang Sherpa, Pemba Dorchi Sherpa, and Kipa Lamu Sherpa.
The summit of Makalu is a significant accomplishment, especially considering the mountain’s challenging conditions and the harsh weather typical at this altitude. With this achievement, the team has not only contributed to Nepal’s growing reputation as a prime location for high-altitude climbing but has also helped in creating a safer and more accessible route for other climbers hoping to summit the world’s fifth-highest peak.
This success adds to the impressive list of expeditions this spring, with climbers from around the world preparing to take on other major peaks in the Himalayas. The Sherpas, whose expertise and relentless dedication are integral to the success of these expeditions, continue to play a vital role in enabling climbers to reach the top of some of the highest mountains on Earth.
