What Is the Weather Like on the Makalu Base Camp Trek in April and October?

快速回答

April and October are the two best weather windows for the Makalu Base Camp Trek. Daytime temperatures run 5 to 20 degrees Celsius on the trail and minus 5 to minus 10 Celsius at base camp at 5,250 metres. Skies are mostly clear, rainfall stays below 8 percent of trekking days, and the 5,000 metre passes between Sherson and base camp are snow free.

细分

Makalu Base Camp sits at 5,250 metres on the southeast side of Makalu at 8,485 metres, the fifth highest mountain on earth. The trek starts at Tumlingtar at 518 metres and climbs through five climate zones from subtropical Sal forest to alpine tundra over 18 to 22 days.

In April, pre-monsoon weather brings warm days at lower elevations. Tumlingtar hits 28 Celsius at midday. Seduwa at 1,500 metres runs 18 to 22 Celsius. Num at 1,560 metres runs 15 to 20 Celsius. Mumbuk at 3,560 metres runs 5 to 12 Celsius. Sherson at 4,615 metres runs 0 to 8 Celsius. Base camp at 5,250 metres runs minus 5 to 5 Celsius with night lows of minus 10.

In October, post-monsoon weather is drier and clearer but colder at night. The monsoon clears by late September leaving washed air and stable high pressure. Tumlingtar runs 25 Celsius. Seduwa 17 to 20. Num 14 to 18. Mumbuk 4 to 10. Sherson minus 2 to 5. Base camp minus 8 to 3 with night lows of minus 15 on clear nights.

Both months see 22 to 25 clear days out of 30. Cloud builds in the afternoon at 3,000 metres and higher, but mornings are usually crisp. Rain falls on 2 to 3 days in April and 1 to 2 days in October, mostly below 2,500 metres. Snow falls above 4,500 metres on 1 to 2 days per month.

成本/组件分解

什么影响答案

Altitude is the first variable. Each 1,000 metre gain drops daytime temperatures by 6 to 7 Celsius and night temperatures by 8 to 10 Celsius. A trekker crossing 5 climate zones in 14 days experiences a 30 Celsius swing.

Cloud cover is the second variable. Clear nights are 5 to 8 Celsius colder than cloudy nights at base camp. Cloudy afternoons trap warmth and feel warmer at night.

Wind is the third variable. April sees stronger pre-monsoon afternoon winds at altitudes above 4,000 metres. October has calmer air. Wind chill at base camp in April can drop minus 10 Celsius to minus 20.

预订提示

Book April departures in the first 3 weeks of the month. Late April brings the first pre-monsoon cloud and haze that reduces Makalu summit views.

Book October departures in the second half of the month. Early October can see remnant monsoon cloud. Mid to late October has the clearest skies.

Pack a 4-season sleeping bag rated to minus 20 Celsius for both months. Lodge blankets at Mumbuk and Sherson are thin above 4,000 metres and nights drop below freezing from late September.

与替代品的比较

Compared with the Everest Base Camp Trek in the same months, Makalu runs 3 to 5 Celsius colder at equivalent altitudes because the Makalu range blocks warm air from the south. Everest Base Camp at 5,364 metres runs minus 8 to 5 Celsius in October. Makalu Base Camp runs minus 8 to 3.

Compared with the Kanchenjunga North Base Camp Trek, Makalu is slightly warmer in April but colder in October. Kanchenjunga sits further east and gets more Tibetan plateau cold air in autumn.

避免的常见错误

Bringing a 3-season sleeping bag. Makalu Base Camp nights drop to minus 15 in October. A 3-season bag rated to minus 5 leaves trekkers shivering and sleepless before summit day.

Underestimating the daily temperature swing. Trekkers start the day in a down jacket at 6am and strip to a base layer by 11am. Pack layers, not one thick jacket.

Skipping the acclimatisation day at Sherson. The 1,000 metre jump from Mumbuk at 3,560 metres to Sherson at 4,615 metres is steep. The Sherson rest day is essential for both weather flexibility and altitude.

常问问题

What is the temperature at Makalu Base Camp in April?

Daytime minus 5 to 5 Celsius, night time minus 10 Celsius. Wind chill can drop it to minus 20 on exposed afternoons.

What is the temperature at Makalu Base Camp in October?

Daytime minus 8 to 3 Celsius, night time minus 15 Celsius. October nights are colder than April because of clearer skies and longer nights.

Does it rain on the Makalu trek in April or October?

Rarely. April sees 2 to 3 rainy days below 2,500 metres. October sees 1 to 2 rainy days. Snow falls above 4,500 metres on 1 to 2 days per month.

Which is better for Makalu, April or October?

October for clear skies and stable weather. April for warmer nights and longer daylight. Both are good. October is slightly better for first-time trekkers to Makalu.

总结

April and October are the best weather windows for the Makalu Base Camp Trek. Days run 5 to 20 Celsius, nights at base camp drop to minus 10 to minus 15, skies are mostly clear, and rain falls on 1 to 3 days per month.

结局

For 2027, trekkers should pick October for the clearest Makalu views and April for warmer nights. Pack a 4-season sleeping bag, layer for 30 Celsius daily swings, and book the second half of October or first 3 weeks of April.