Location and surroundings
Following the range hierarchy, Peak 41 sits within the Central Asia region, specifically in the Himalayas, the Nepal Himalaya, the Central Greater Himalaya, and the Mahalangur Himal. Administrative boundaries place it in the municipality of Mahakulung, the Solukhumbu district, and Koshi Province in Nepal. Within the Mahalangur Himal, which spans China, India, and Nepal, the mountain ranks as the 11th highest of the 75 named peaks in that sub-range. The surrounding landscape features rugged high-altitude terrain, glaciers, and river valleys draining into the Dudh Koshi tributaries, with the Hunku Drangka flowing along the eastern flank.
Neighbouring peaks
Peak 41 is surrounded by several prominent summits and mountain passes. The nearest features include:
- Mera Pass (mountain pass, 5,400 m, 4.7 km S)
- Malāṅphulāṅ (peak, 6,573 m, 5.6 km NW)
- Chamlang (peak, 7,319 m, 7.2 km E)
- Mera Peak (peak, 6,476 m, 8.2 km SW)
- Miṅbo Lā (mountain pass, 5,817 m, 8.2 km N)
- Mera Peak Central (peak, 6,461 m, 8.4 km SW)
- Kang Thari (peak, 6,070 m, 8.6 km NW)
- Kyāshar (peak, 6,769 m, 8.7 km W)
Among these, the nearest higher peak is Chamlang, located 7.2 kilometres to the east at an elevation of 7,319 metres.
The view from the summit
From the high elevation of Peak 41, climbers and observers can view several of the highest mountains on Earth situated within a 25-kilometre radius. The giants visible in the surrounding region include Mount Everest (8,849 m, 23.8 km N), Lhotse (8,516 m, 21.0 km N), Makālu (8,485 m, 22.0 km NE), Nuptse (7,864 m, 21.6 km N), Makālu II (7,678 m, 22.9 km NE), and Shār Tse (7,591 m, 20.9 km N).
The range
The mountain belongs to the Mahalangur Himal, a major sub-range of the Himalayas that spans across China, India, and Nepal. The highest peak of this range is Makalu Southeast at 7,860 metres, located 22 kilometres northeast of Peak 41. Out of the 75 named peaks within the Mahalangur Himal, Peak 41 holds the 11th position by elevation.
Climbing routes
There are one established route to the top of Peak 41. The Voie slovène (Slovenian Route) on the west face features an alpine grade of TD+, typically requiring 3 to 2 days of effort. It ascends via the west and southwest aspects starting from Khare. The first ascent of the mountain was achieved on October 16, 2002, by Slovenian climbers Urban Golob, Uros Samec, and Matic Jost, following an ascent route via the west face and north ridge. Additionally, the northeast face was climbed in 2016 by South Korean climbers Koo Eun-soo, Han Dong-ik, and Yoo Hak-jae.
Access and starting points
The usual starting location for expeditions and treks heading toward Peak 41 is Khare. The mountain is situated 19 kilometres east of Namche Bazaar. Access to the area involves traveling through the trails of Makalu Barun National Park.
Climate and weather
Based on estimates from NASA POWER climate data covering 2001 to 2020, temperatures at the summit of Peak 41 vary significantly across the year. The warmest month is July with a mean temperature of about -6 degrees Celsius, while the coldest is January at about -18 degrees Celsius. There are no months with a mean temperature above freezing at the summit. In the surrounding area, annual precipitation is about 550 millimetres, with July being the wettest month recording about 165 millimetres, and November the driest with about 0 millimetres. The local climate falls under a tundra classification with cold winters and cool summers, heavily influenced by weather systems from the Bay of Bengal that bring monsoon precipitation from mid-June through early August, alongside typical high-altitude alpine weather hazards such as sudden storms and heavy snowfall.
Best time to visit
The most favorable weather windows for viewing or climbing Peak 41 occur during the months of April, May, September, and October. These periods offer more stable atmospheric conditions compared to the harsh winter months and the heavy monsoon rains that dominate from mid-June through early August.
Nature and wildlife
Peak 41 is situated within Makalu Barun National Park, a protected area characterized by dramatic topographic relief, including glaciers, steep rocky ridges, and deep valleys. The lower slopes support alpine and sub-alpine vegetation adapted to the Himalayan climate, while the higher elevations feature sparse flora, ice, and bare rock. Wildlife in the wider protected area includes high-altitude species suited to the rugged terrain of Nepal.
Guides and organised ascents
Due to the technical alpine grade, high altitude, and glaciated terrain of Peak 41, climbing with a certified mountain guide is strongly advised. In Nepal, the national mountain guide association is the Nepal National Mountain Guide Association (NNMGA), which is a member of the IFMGA/UIAGM. The national mountaineering federation is the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA). Established guiding companies operating in the country include Seven Summit Treks and Asian Trekking, both based in Kathmandu. Permit rules in Nepal dictate that trekking in national parks and conservation areas requires permits and a licensed guide booked through a registered Nepali agency, as solo trekking has been banned since April 2023. Furthermore, peak climbing requires an expedition or climbing permit arranged directly through a registered agency.
Safety and preparation
The extreme elevation and technical nature of Peak 41 demand thorough acclimatization, advanced mountaineering skills, and proper high-altitude equipment. In the event of an emergency, the dedicated mountain rescue number in Nepal is 1144 for the English-speaking Tourist Police, while general police can be reached at 100 and ambulances at 102. Helicopter evacuations are typically coordinated through a climber's personal insurance provider and booking agency.
History and name
The mountain is known locally and internationally as Peak 41, situated in the Khumbu region within the Hinku Himal. The first official ascent of the summit was accomplished in October 2002 by a Slovenian expedition consisting of Urban Golob, Uros Samec, and Matic Jost, who ascended via the west face and north ridge. An additional ascent of the northeast face was completed in 2016 by South Korean climbers Koo Eun-soo, Han Dong-ik, and Yoo Hak-jae.
Interesting facts
Peak 41 stands at an elevation of 6,654 metres and holds the 11th position among the 75 named peaks in the Mahalangur Himal. Its nearest higher neighbor is Chamlang, situated 7.2 kilometres to the east at 7,319 metres. The mountain exhibits remarkable topographic relief, rising 1,550 metres above the Mera Glacier within a distance of just one kilometre.
FAQ
What is the elevation of Peak 41? Peak 41 stands at an elevation of 6,654 metres.Where is Peak 41 located? It is located in Nepal, within the Mahakulung municipality, Solukhumbu district, Koshi Province, and is part of the Mahalangur Himal range inside Makalu Barun National Park.What range does Peak 41 belong to? It belongs to the Mahalangur Himal, which is part of the Central Greater Himalaya, Nepal Himalaya, Himalayas, and Central Asia.What are the nearest peaks and passes to Peak 41? Nearby features include Mera Pass (5,400 m), Malāṅphulāṅ (6,573 m), Chamlang (7,319 m), Mera Peak (6,476 m), Miṅbo Lā (5,817 m), Mera Peak Central (6,461 m), Kang Thari (6,070 m), and Kyāshar (6,769 m).Is there water on the way to Peak 41? Natural water sources along the approach include glacial streams and snowmelt, which must be properly treated before consumption. Climbers should carry adequate water supplies between camps, generally planning for 1.5 to 3 litres per day depending on physical exertion and weather conditions.Are there huts on Peak 41? OpenStreetMap shows no huts or shelters within 2 km of the top, so climbers usually plan the ascent as a multi-day expedition using tents or starting from Khare.How hard is it to climb Peak 41? Climbing Peak 41 is a serious technical undertaking. The Voie slovène carries an alpine grade of TD+, requiring advanced technical skills on steep glaciated terrain.How long does it take to climb Peak 41? The Voie slovène route typically requires 3 to 2 days of climbing starting from Khare.Is there mobile phone coverage on Peak 41? Coverage in the high mountain valleys is patchy and depends heavily on the specific mobile operator. Climbers should download offline maps before setting out, keeping in mind that emergency services can be reached via 112 over any available network.