Lhotse vs Makalu
Lhotse (8,516 m, world #4) and Makalu (8,485 m, world #5) compared side by side — height, first ascent and danger. Lhotse is 31 m taller.
| Lhotse | Makalu | |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 8,516 m | 8,485 m |
| World rank | #4 | #5 |
| Range | Mahalangur Himal | Mahalangur Himal (Makalu section) |
| Location | Solukhumbu, Koshi | Sankhuwasabha, Koshi |
| Border | Nepal–China (Tibet) border | Nepal–China (Tibet) border |
| First ascent | 18 May 1956 | 15 May 1955 |
| First climbers | Fritz Luchsinger & Ernst Reiss (Switzerland) | Jean Couzy & Lionel Terray (France) |
| Standard route | Lhotse Face & Reiss Couloir — shares the Everest route to Camp 3 | Northwest Ridge (French route) |
| Danger | ≈1,089 summits and 22 deaths by ≈2022 — a fatality rate near 2-3%, modest by 8000er standards (Himalayan Database-derived compilations). | ≈390 summits and ≈40 deaths by ≈2019 — among the harder classic 8000ers (Himalayan Database-derived compilations). |
Lhotse vs Makalu, answered
Is Lhotse taller than Makalu?+
Lhotse stands 8,516 m and Makalu 8,485 m, so Lhotse is 31 m taller. Lhotse is the world's 4th-highest mountain and Makalu the 5th.
Which was climbed first, Lhotse or Makalu?+
Lhotse was first summited on 18 May 1956; Makalu on 15 May 1955.
Which is more dangerous, Lhotse or Makalu?+
Lhotse: ≈1,089 summits and 22 deaths by ≈2022 — a fatality rate near 2-3%, modest by 8000er standards (Himalayan Database-derived compilations). 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.