Makalu, Solo Winter Attempt. Frenchman Ivan Ghirardini attempted first the very difficult west buttress of Makalu in winter. After a first sortie, on January 7 he bivouacked at 19,350 feet and on January 8 at 22,000 feet. On January 9 he reached 23,000 feet, but the wind and cold were so severe that he had to give up, despite good climbing conditions. He estimated winds to be up to 125 mph and temperatures down to —50°. He then turned to the normal route before being turned back again at 23,000 feet by the severity of the weather.