Kanchenjunga vs Makalu
Kanchenjunga (8,586 m, world #3) and Makalu (8,485 m, world #5) compared side by side — height, first ascent and danger. Kanchenjunga is 101 m taller.
| Kanchenjunga | Makalu | |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 8,586 m | 8,485 m |
| World rank | #3 | #5 |
| Range | Kangchenjunga Himal | Mahalangur Himal (Makalu section) |
| Location | Taplejung, Koshi | Sankhuwasabha, Koshi |
| Border | Nepal–India (Sikkim) border | Nepal–China (Tibet) border |
| First ascent | 25 May 1955 | 15 May 1955 |
| First climbers | George Band & Joe Brown (UK); Norman Hardie & Tony Streather the next day | Jean Couzy & Lionel Terray (France) |
| Standard route | Southwest Face (Yalung side, Nepal) | Northwest Ridge (French route) |
| Danger | Historically among the deadlier 8000ers; Himalayan Database-derived estimates put the fatality rate near 9–12% of summits (compilations ≈2024). | ≈390 summits and ≈40 deaths by ≈2019 — among the harder classic 8000ers (Himalayan Database-derived compilations). |
Kanchenjunga vs Makalu, answered
Is Kanchenjunga taller than Makalu?+
Kanchenjunga stands 8,586 m and Makalu 8,485 m, so Kanchenjunga is 101 m taller. Kanchenjunga is the world's 3th-highest mountain and Makalu the 5th.
Which was climbed first, Kanchenjunga or Makalu?+
Kanchenjunga was first summited on 25 May 1955; Makalu on 15 May 1955.
Which is more dangerous, Kanchenjunga or Makalu?+
Kanchenjunga: Historically among the deadlier 8000ers; Himalayan Database-derived estimates put the fatality rate near 9–12% of summits (compilations ≈2024). Makalu: ≈390 summits and ≈40 deaths by ≈2019 — among the harder classic 8000ers (Himalayan Database-derived compilations).
More comparisons
Sources & data note
Heights follow the 2020 Nepal–China Everest survey and UIAA figures. Ascent and fatality statistics derive from the Himalayan Database (via Alan Arnette, 2026) and reported press figures; see each peak's profile for full sourcing.