The top of Machapuchare is thought to have never been reached. However, in 1957 a British team under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Jimmy Roberts was said to have come as close as 500 feet to the summit. Also, New Zealander solo climber, Bill Denz, is said to have climbed Machapuchare illegally in the early 1980s, becoming the first and the only person ever to set foot on Machapuchare.