The first successful asent of Makalu was made by a French team in 1955 via the North-East Ridge, now considered the standard route to the summit.  Particular about this climb was that the complete team made it to the summit. Now 60 years later, the Makalu 2015 expedition led by Jean-Luc Fohal and Sofie Lenaerts including six other Belgian mountaineers: Stef Maginelle, Guido Riemenschneider, Christiane Blaise, Koen Verschraegen, Rudi Bollaert and myself, supported by 4 high altitude Sherpa's, will make the same attempt in commemoration. 

The team will fly to Kathmandu from Brussels on 5 april 2015, with their air partner Turkish Airlines. On arrival in Kathmandu expeditions members will fly to the remote airstrip of Tumlingtar (510m) to begin the ten-day trek to Makalu Base Camp at 5600m. From there the lengthy process of acclimatization and establishing a series of camps will start. The Highest will be camp 3 at 7400m, an extra bivouac will be set up at around 7800m. Summit bids are foreseen from mid may 2015.

Today a long day of travel. We leave KTM early and head for the airport to catch our 45 minutes flight to hot and humid Tumlingtar.  The flight in itself is already a top experience as the flightpath to Tumlingtar goes parallel with the Himalaya and offers for those on the left side of the plane magnificent views on all major Peaks. Absolutely breathtaking.  But the day was far from over. After lunch all our gear was finally arrived in Tumlingtar and we set out for a six hour jeep ride over muddy trails to Num that we reached by nightfall. A nice dinner and  welcome cake  made up for all the bruises from the bumpy ride.   As it had rained all afternoon our North Fake tents were soaking wet. But we didn't complain. Our adventure was staring at last.

Num 1500-Sheduwa 1500 (5,5 km) O2 84%

After a good nights sleep I woke up with the sound of playing children. The sun hits the misty valleys below us. We can already see our destination Sheduwa across the Arun valley. Climbers, trekkers and staff are eager to go. While the porters and the sirdar discussed what to carry and how much, I lean back and enjoy with a hot cup of coco my first morning of this expedition. 

Sheduwa 1500  -Tashi Gaon 2100 (8,5 km) O2 79% 

Rice fields villages and children was today's theme. Over gently slopes and paths we winded our way up.

On the wet slopes towards Tashi Gaon be aware of leaches. They are everywhere.  What amazed me the most was the special light and the contrast of the colourfull prayer flags against the green of the rice and wheatfields. The weather seemed to have a pattern. Mornings announced sunshine but by midday clouds moved in. So far we haven't seen any snow capped mountain.