In a historic achievement for Bangladesh’s mountaineering community, climber Babar Ali has successfully summited Mount Makalu, the world’s 5th-highest peak, standing at 8,485 meters.
He reached the summit at 5:45 am on Saturday (May 2), proudly hoisting the red and green flag of Bangladesh atop the Himalayas. With this feat, Babar Ali becomes the first and only Bangladeshi to conquer five of the world’s 14 eight-thousanders, marking a remarkable milestone in the country’s climbing history.
The Makalu expedition was described as highly challenging and time-consuming, with Babar Ali enduring nearly eight and a half hours of continuous, grueling effort to reach the summit. He was accompanied by experienced Sherpa Ang Kami during the final ascent. He is currently on his descent from the peak.
Experts note:
“Descending from such extreme heights is as risky as the ascent itself.”
Fellow climbers have requested prayers for his safe return to base camp.
Located in the Mahalangur Himalaya region of Nepal, Mount Makalu is known among climbers as the “Great Black One.”
“Its unique pyramid shape and strong winds often expose dark rock beneath the snow,”
making it one of the most challenging peaks to climb.
Babar Ali named this mission:
“Expedition Makalu: The Fifth Frontier.”
He had arrived in Nepal on April 7 to begin preparations for the climb.
This is not his first major achievement. In 2022, he summited Ama Dablam, followed by a historic double ascent of Mount Everest and Lhotse in 2024. Continuing his success, he became the first Bangladeshi to summit Annapurna I in 2025, and later that year climbed Manaslu without supplemental oxygen, further cementing his status as one of the country’s leading mountaineers.
Babar Ali’s latest achievement stands as a symbol of determination and national pride, inspiring a new generation of adventurers in Bangladesh.
