Makalu vs Cho Oyu
Makalu (8,485 m, world #5) and Cho Oyu (8,188 m, world #6) compared side by side — height, first ascent and danger. Makalu is 297 m taller.
| Makalu | Cho Oyu | |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 8,485 m | 8,188 m |
| World rank | #5 | #6 |
| Range | Mahalangur Himal (Makalu section) | Mahalangur Himal |
| Location | Sankhuwasabha, Koshi | Solukhumbu, Koshi |
| Border | Nepal–China (Tibet) border | Nepal–China (Tibet) border |
| First ascent | 15 May 1955 | 19 October 1954 |
| First climbers | Jean Couzy & Lionel Terray (France) | Herbert Tichy, Josef Jöchler (Austria) & Pasang Dawa Lama (Nepal) |
| Standard route | Northwest Ridge (French route) | Northwest Ridge from Tibet (the usual commercial route); Nepal-side routes are far harder |
| Danger | ≈390 summits and ≈40 deaths by ≈2019 — among the harder classic 8000ers (Himalayan Database-derived compilations). | Fatality rate ≈1.4% of summits — statistically the safest eight-thousander (Himalayan Database-derived compilations). |
Makalu vs Cho Oyu, answered
Is Makalu taller than Cho Oyu?+
Makalu stands 8,485 m and Cho Oyu 8,188 m, so Makalu is 297 m taller. Makalu is the world's 5th-highest mountain and Cho Oyu the 6th.
Which was climbed first, Makalu or Cho Oyu?+
Makalu was first summited on 15 May 1955; Cho Oyu on 19 October 1954.
Which is more dangerous, Makalu or Cho Oyu?+
Makalu: ≈390 summits and ≈40 deaths by ≈2019 — among the harder classic 8000ers (Himalayan Database-derived compilations). Cho Oyu: Fatality rate ≈1.4% of summits — statistically the safest eight-thousander (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.