Cho Oyu
is the sixth highest mountain in the world, located a short distance to the
west from Everest (the highest) and Lhotse (the fourth highest) in the
Khumbu region of Eastern Nepal along the Tibetan border. Its towering peak
stands with Everest well above the surrounding mountains. It became a
familiar landmark to climbers ascending Everest's north face. Just west of
Cho Oyu is the Nangpa La, a 19,000-foot glacier pass, the main trade route
between the Khumbu Sherpas and Tibet.
Overview
| Location |
Eastern Nepal, Nepal - Tibet Border |
| Elevation |
26,906 feet (8201 m) |
| Region |
Khumbu Himal |
| Range |
Himalayas |
| Nearest Access |
Namache Bazar |
| Nearest Airport |
Kathmandu |
| Significance |
Sixth highest mountain in the world |
| Best Season to Visit |
April To May & Late September To October |
Striking Features
- The view from the summit plateau is breathtaking. One can witness the
entire panorama of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Chamlang, Ama Dablam and
other peaks of the Khumbu.
- This Cho Oyu massif is arguably the most technically straightforward,
accessible and safe to climb.
- It is a natural and adventurous exploration zone.
Mountaineering Attemps & Expeditions
» First climbing expedition of Cho Oyu's Northwest face by Edmund
Hillary and party.
» A small Austrian expedition, under the leadership of Herbert Tichy,
make a spectacular first ascent without oxygen on the Northwest face. This
new style of climbing big mountains with alpine techniques rewrote
mountaineering history.
» Second ascent by an Indian expedition. Sherpa Pasang Dawa Lama, who
was part of the first ascent, reached the peak for the second time. First
death on Cho Oyu.
» Four members of an expedition are killed in an avalanche during a
failed international women's expedition.
» Controversial third ascent by a German expedition. No proof of
reaching the summit. Two mountaineers die in Camp 4 of exhaustion at 7600 m
(25,000 foot) height.
» The Austrian alpinists, Koblmuller and Furtner, succeeds in a
spectacular ascent of the extremely difficult and dangerous southeast face.
» Reinhold Messner succeeds on his fourth attempt.
» First winter ascent of the South buttress by a Polish expedition.
The South Buttress is the most difficult route on Cho Oyu to be completed
successfully
