Cho-Oyu is one of the easiest of all 8000m mountains rises 8,201m / 26,906 ft. above sea level at 86° 35' 14''E[[Not allowed]]' 14'' N, situated high above the Tibetan plateau on the Tibet/Nepal border. Cho-Oyu is the highest & easiest of the more straightforward 8000m peaks and the sixth highest mountain in the world is an excellent choice for mountaineers wishing to climb their first 8000m peak. Historically, expeditions to Cho-Oyu have a higher rate of success than any other 8000 meter peaks, attributed by two key factors- first, access to the mountain is easy, as it is possible to drive all the way to the mountain. This makes logistical planning much easier than for a Himalayan peak where there is a long approach walk using porters. Secondly, the route is fairly easy and has minimal objective danger. The first camp on the mountain can normally be reached wearing only trekking boots. Above this the technical sections are short and are all fixed ropes. From base camp at 5700m steep moraines lead to a shoulder at 6400m, the normal site of Camp 1. Above this camp lies the technical crux of the climb, a 50-metre high serac barrier split by a ramp. Climbers jumar this short section on fixed ropes. Above this Camp 2 is situated at about 7000m. The climbing angle eases slightly towards the highest Camp 3 at about 7500m on the North West Face. On summit day the route ascends through a steep rock barrier before easier-angled snow.
Itinerary
Cho-Oyu Climb fixed departure expedition | ||||
Days | Spring | Autumn | Outlined itinerary | Overnight |
1 | 9-Apr | 8-Sep | Arrive Kathmandu & transfer to Hotel. | Hotel |
2 | 10-Apr | 9-Sep | Stay in Kathmandu for administrative formalities. | Hotel |
3 | 11-Apr | 10-Sep | Stay in Kathmandu for the final administrative formalities. | Hotel |
4 | 12-Apr | 11-Sep | Fly Kathmandu-Lhasa (3657m) | Hotel |
5 | 13-Apr | 12-Sep | Visit in Lhasa/acclimatization day. | Hotel |
6 | 14-Apr | 13-Sep | Drive to Shigatse (3810m). | Hotel |
7 | 15-Apr | 14-Sep | Drive to Thingri (4,500m). | Hotel |
8 | 16-Apr | 15-Sep | Drive to Shigatse | Hotel |
9 | 17-Apr | 16-Sep | Acclimatization day in Shigatse. | Hotel |
10 | 18-Apr | 17-Sep | Drive to Thingri (4572m). | Hotel |
11 | 19-Apr | 18-Sep | Acclimatization day in Thingri. | Hotel |
12 | 20-Apr | 19-Sep | Drive to Chinese Base Camp. | Camp |
13-39 | 21-Apr | 20-Sep | Climb Mt. Cho-Oyu (8,201m/26,906ft.) using 3-4 camps | Camp |
40 | 15-May | 14-Oct | Descend to Cho-Oyu Base Camp. | Camp |
41 | 16-May | 15-Oct | Drive to Shigatse | Hotel |
42 | 17-May | 16-Oct | Drive to Lhasa | Hotel |
43 | 18-May | 17-Oct | Fly Lhasa-Kathmandu. | Hotel |
44 | 19-May | 18-Oct | At leisure in Kathmandu. | Hotel |
45 | 20-May | 19-Oct | Depart Kathmandu. | [[Not allowed]] |