Cho Oyu Expedition
Cho Oyu is the sixth highest mountain in the world and, even though it is regarded as a technically straight forward 8000m peak, its altitude is a serious undertaking and requires careful preparation and a high level of fitness. It is said that Cho Oyu means ‘Goddess of Turquoise’, as its stark shadows appear this colour in the light of the setting sun when viewed fromTibet. This mountain is a vast bulk of sweeping snow slopes and clean glaciated lines; a most noble and impressive first 8000m peak.
The elegant North West face of Cho Oyu brings us up fairly easy angled 30 degree snow slopes. There is one steep serac barrier to negotiate at 6800m. Where necessary, fixed lines will be placed to aid us on steeper sections. Following our acclimatisation walks in Nylam and Tingri, we will arrive at the Chinese Base Camp where we begin our exciting preparations to move up to Base Camp at 5700m via an Intermediate Camp at around 5400m, to aid acclimatisation.
Camp 1 (6400m) is reached in 4-6 hours via an initial walk up the Gyabrag Glacier, up a steep scree to a broad snow shoulder and our first high camp.
Camp 2 (7100m) we follow the snow ridge out of Camp 1 to a steep 50 metre ice wall, which provides us with our most challenging climbing on this route. To make this ascent safe we use fixed ropes.
Camp 3 (7500m) we are now on easier ground and we reach our third camp in around four hours. At this altitude there is a tremendous sense of effort to gain further height.
Summit Day It takes 6-9 hours to attain Cho Oyu’s grand summit plateau. The route takes us over moderately easy snow and rock; it is now only the weather and altitude that can stand in our way of conquering this grand 8000m peak.
Itinerary
Day 01-02: Fly to Kathmandu
Day 03: Final preparations
Day 04: Drive to Friendship Bridge, enter Tibet overnight in Zhangmu
Day 05-06: Drive to Nyalam, acclimatisation walks
Day 07-08: Drive to Tingri, acclimatisation walks
Day 09: Drive to Chinese Base Camp 4900m
Day 10: Preparations
Day 11-13: Trek to Base Camp via intermediate camps
Day 14-39: Ascent of Cho Oyu
Day 40-41: Return to Kathmandu
Day 42: At leisure, evening flight
Day 43: Return flight
Cost Includes
- 5 Nights accommodation in Kathmandu with bed & breakfast (3 star hotel).
- Expert professional Nepalese expedition crews like Cook, Kitchen boy, ABC guide and mountaineering gears till to the ABC are provided; and our crews get all expedition facilities from our office itself.
- Tibet visa & Travel Permit for the expedition crew
- Full board hotel in route to Tibet side Zhangmu, Nyalam & Tingri (bed & breakfast, Lunch, dinner)
- Base Camp - Advance Base Camp 1 tent for 1 person (North Face brand)
- Dining tent, Table, Chairs, toilet tent, Mess tent & Kitchen tent
- Per person's (40 KG) Load is carried by the Yak till to the from BC-ABC
- Per person's (30 KG) Load is carried by the Yak on the way back to ABC to the BC
- Kathmandu - Zhangmu - Base Camp - Zhangmu (vice versa) are provided the Mini bus/Jeep for the members & Truck for the equipment
- Peak permit for Cho Oyu 8201m
- Tibet Visa & Travel permit, Liaison officer & Interpreter
- Nepalese crew' insurance
- ABC - Oxygen for Emergency but if you use pay it
- Welcome dinner
Cost does not Include
- Air travel to and from Kathmandu.
- Laundry, postage, telephone calls, and all other items of personal nature.
- Entry visa and Re-entry visa for Nepal.
- Personal Expenses.
- Medical and rescue insurance.
- Personal Climbing equipment.
- Bar bills & Beverage.
- Medicine and first aid expenses
- Walkie-Talkie.
- Tips