Hillary To Climb Fifth Highest Mountain "Makalu", The fifth highest mountain, on right. Everest is hidden by cloud on left. Attached map shows relation of Makalu to Everest. They say that mountaineering is in the blood. This certainly must be so with Sir Edmund Hillary. Fresh from his conquest of Everest, the World's Highest Mountain, he has now announced plans for an attempt on the 27,790 Ft. Unclimbed Peak, "Makalu" In the Everest Range of the Himalaya. August 29, 1953. (Photo by Paul Popper Ltd.).