Trekking Around Makalu 1975 – The First Yugoslav Trekking Expedition to the Himalayas, Temporary Exhibition

In the autumn of 1975, the first Yugoslav trekking expedition set out for Nepal, consisting of 29 mountaineers from various parts of the country. Among the participants were several former alpinists, which gave the expedition a special character – the team was not merely tourist-oriented but also highly mountaineering-skilled. At that time, such a “tourist” trek in Nepal was a novelty for Slovenians, as previous expeditions to the Himalayas had been almost exclusively alpinist in nature.

The group’s goal was to hike around Makalu, reach the base camp of the climbing expedition, and experience the culture and nature of Nepal while following the progress of the great Makalu alpinist team. The expedition was organized by the Alpine Association of Slovenia in cooperation with local mountaineering clubs. Among the initiators of the idea that fellow countrymen should greet the alpinists beneath Makalu was none other than Aleš Kunaver, the leader of JAHO VI.

The exhibition opens on 17 October as part of the museum evening In the Spirit of Makalu and Kunaver’s Legacy and will be on view until 31 October 2025.

Photo by Kazimir Drašlar.