Pune, Maharashtra – Braving sub-zero temperatures and powerful icy winds, mountaineer Jitendra Gaware has successfully climbed Makalu, the fifth-highest mountain in the world. With this achievement, Gaware becomes the first person from Maharashtra to summit seven of the world’s fourteen peaks that rise above 8,000 meters.
Makalu, which stands at 8,485 meters, is located in the Mahalangur range of the Himalayas, straddling the border between Nepal and China. Just 19 kilometers from Mount Everest, it is known for its steep, technical routes and harsh weather conditions. Climbers face freezing temperatures between -35°C and -40°C, as well as dangerously strong winds—conditions that have turned many away in the past.
Gaware, a seasoned climber and member of Pune’s renowned mountaineering club ‘Giripremi,’ began preparing for the expedition weeks in advance. He reached the summit of Makalu at 4:50 a.m. on Saturday, May 10.
This climb adds to his growing list of achievements. Gaware has previously summited Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, and Annapurna I—all peaks over 8,000 meters.
Speaking about Gaware’s accomplishment, Giripremi representative Bhushan Harshe said, “Jitendra has been a dedicated and fit member of our organization for over a decade. He typically climbs two to three major peaks each year. Scaling Makalu is an exceptional milestone.”
Gaware’s consistent performance in high-altitude expeditions has also earned him the Shiv Chhatrapati Award, Maharashtra’s highest honor in sports.