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Cho Oyu

Cho Oyu is an Himalayan mountain on the border between Nepal and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, rising to an elevation of 8,188 metres (26,864 feet), making it the sixth-highest peak in the world.^[1] Its Tibetan name translates to "Turquoise Goddess," a reference to the mountain's bluish hue when viewed from certain angles.^[2] Located approximately 20 kilometres west of Mount Everest in the Mahalangur Himal subrange, Cho Oyu is renowned among mountaineers for its relatively accessible northwest ridge route, often regarded as the easiest among the world's fourteen eight-thousanders despite the extreme altitude and harsh weather.^[3] The mountain's climbing history began with reconnaissance attempts in the early 1950s, culminating in its first successful ascent on 19 October 1954 by an Austrian expedition led by Herbert Tichy.^[4] The summit team included Tichy, fellow Austrian Joseph Jöchler, and Nepalese Sherpa Pasang Dawa Lama, who reached the top via the northwest ridge without supplemental oxygen, marking it as the fifth eight-thousander to be climbed.^[1] Since then, Cho Oyu has become a popular objective for high-altitude climbers preparing for more demanding peaks like Everest, with hundreds of ascents recorded annually, though it remains perilous due to risks such as avalanches, crevasses, and acute mountain sickness.^[5] Geographically, Cho Oyu dominates the landscape near the Nangpa La pass, a historic trading route between Nepal and Tibet, and provides stunning vistas of neighboring giants including Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Ama Dablam.^[3] The mountain's western face descends dramatically toward the Rolwaling Valley in Nepal, while its eastern slopes overlook the Tibetan Plateau, contributing to its cultural significance in local Sherpa and Tibetan traditions as a sacred site.^[6] Expeditions typically approach from the Tibetan side for the standard route, requiring permits from Chinese authorities and involving a base camp at around 5,700 metres near the Ngozumpa Glacier.^[7]

Geography and Location

Coordinates and Position

Cho Oyu is situated at precise geographical coordinates of 28° 5′ 39″ N latitude and 86° 39′ 39″ E longitude.^[8] These coordinates place the summit on the international border between Nepal and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, within the high-altitude terrain of the central Himalayas.^[9] The mountain occupies a prominent position in the Mahalangur Himal, a subrange of the greater Himalayan system that extends across the Nepal-Tibet frontier.^[9] As the westernmost major peak in the Khumbu subsection of this subrange, Cho Oyu anchors the region's dramatic topography, contributing to the interconnected massif that includes Mount Everest approximately 20 kilometers (12 miles) to the east-southeast.^[8] This placement underscores its role as the sixth-highest mountain globally, with an elevation that integrates it into the elite group of eight-thousanders while highlighting its accessibility relative to neighboring giants.^[9] The surrounding landscape features rugged valleys and glacial passes that have shaped human activity in the region for centuries. To the west of Cho Oyu lies the Nangpa La pass, a glacier-saddled route at about 5,800 meters (19,050 feet) that historically facilitated trade and pilgrimage between Tibetan herders and Sherpa communities in Nepal's Khumbu Valley, serving as a vital corridor for salt, wool, and cultural exchange until modern border restrictions curtailed its use.^[10] These features not only define Cho Oyu's immediate positional context but also emphasize its integration into the broader Himalayan ecological and historical framework.^[9]

Proximity to Other Peaks and Borders

Cho Oyu, the sixth-highest mountain in the world, is situated approximately 20 kilometers west of Mount Everest in the Mahalangur Himal range of the Himalayas.^[11] This proximity places it within the same sub-section of the range, contributing to its role as an accessible high-altitude objective for mountaineers preparing for more challenging peaks like Everest. The mountain's location enhances its visibility from nearby vantage points, such as the Gokyo Lakes region, where it dominates the skyline.^[12] The peak straddles the international border between Nepal and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, with its northwest face lying entirely within Tibetan territory and the southeast face falling on the Nepalese side.^[11]^[12] This border positioning divides the mountain's approaches, with the Tibetan northwest ridge offering a relatively straightforward glacier traverse, while the Nepalese southeast face presents steeper ice and rock challenges. The frontier runs along the main ridge, making Cho Oyu one of several 8,000-meter peaks that mark the geopolitical divide in the region.^[11] Access to Cho Oyu is facilitated by established routes from both sides of the border, enhancing its appeal for expeditions. From Tibet, climbers typically drive along the Friendship Highway from Lhatse or Shegar to the town of Tingri at 4,300 meters, from where a short off-road journey leads to base camp at around 4,900 meters on the Tibetan plateau.^[13] On the Nepalese side, access begins with a flight to Lukla, followed by a multi-day trek through the Khumbu region to Namche Bazaar at 3,440 meters, then onward via Thame or Gokyo to advanced base camps on glaciers like the Ngozumpa or Lungsampa.^[12]^[14] Surrounding Cho Oyu are prominent glacial and valley features that define its dramatic setting. To the south, the Ngozumpa Glacier and associated valleys near Gokyo provide a key approach corridor, while the nearby Rolwaling Valley to the southwest offers panoramic views of the peak from its high passes and ridges.^[12]^[15] These features, including the historic Nangpa La pass just west of the mountain, underscore Cho Oyu's integration into the broader Himalayan trade and trekking networks.^[11]

Physical Features

Dimensions and Topography

Cho Oyu stands at an elevation of 8,188 meters (26,864 feet) above sea level, making it the sixth-highest mountain in the world.^[16] Its topographic prominence measures 2,340 meters, calculated from the key col at Nup La, located at 5,844 meters on the connecting ridge to Mount Everest in the Mahalangur Himal range.^[16] This prominence underscores Cho Oyu's status as an ultra-prominent peak, rising significantly above the surrounding terrain despite its proximity to Everest, approximately 20 kilometers to the west.^[17] The mountain's topography features a mix of accessible and challenging surfaces, with the northwest face presenting relatively gentle slopes averaging 30 to 40 degrees, which contribute to its reputation as one of the more approachable eight-thousanders.^[3] In contrast, the north face rises more abruptly with steeper angles exceeding 50 degrees in sections, forming a formidable barrier of ice and rock that demands advanced technical skills for traversal.^[12] A notable feature is the Yellow Band, a distinctive layer of yellowish limestone rock exposed between approximately 7,000 and 7,500 meters, which interrupts the snow and ice cover and requires careful navigation due to its loose, slab-like composition.^[18] Access to the upper reaches begins with the advanced base camp situated at around 5,600 meters on the glacial moraine near the mountain's western flanks, serving as the primary staging area for acclimatization and logistics in expeditions.^[19] This elevation places it higher than many base camps on other Himalayan peaks, exposing climbers to significant altitude effects from the outset while offering views of the gentle lower slopes leading toward the higher ridges.^[20]

Geological Formation

Cho Oyu's geological formation is a direct result of the ongoing Himalayan orogeny, driven by the collision between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates that initiated around 50 million years ago during the early Eocene. This continental convergence closed the ancient Tethys Ocean, leading to the subduction of the Indian plate beneath the Eurasian plate and the subsequent uplift of the Himalayan range at rates of up to 10 mm per year in some sectors. Cho Oyu, situated in the Tethys Himalayan zone, represents a segment of this orogenic belt where marine sedimentary sequences from the Mesozoic Tethys were intensely deformed, metamorphosed, and thrust northward, forming the mountain's structural framework through folding and faulting associated with the Main Central Thrust and related structures.^[21]^[22] The mountain's lithology reflects this tectonic history, with primary rock types varying by altitude due to the stratigraphic stacking of the Tethyan sedimentary sequence and underlying crystalline basement. In the lower sections, up to approximately 6,000 meters, dominant metamorphic rocks include gneiss, schist, and quartzite, derived from Precambrian to Paleozoic protoliths that underwent high-grade metamorphism during the orogeny, often intruded by Miocene leucogranites formed from partial melting of the thickened crust. Higher altitudes, above 6,500 meters, transition to sedimentary-derived marbles and limestones, remnants of the Ordovician to Carboniferous Tethyan platform carbonates that were deposited in shallow marine environments before being uplifted and partially recrystallized into marble under regional metamorphism. These rock assemblages highlight the transition from the Greater Himalayan Crystalline complex below to the Tethyan Sedimentary Sequence above, with leucogranite sills providing evidence of syn-orogenic magmatism.^[23]^[24]^[25] A prominent feature is the Yellow Band, a distinctive horizontal layer of metamorphosed limestone and calcareous schist spanning 7,000 to 7,500 meters, which marks a key stratigraphic boundary within the Everest Series metasediments and is visible as a yellowish band due to iron oxide staining and weathering. This layer, part of the North Col Formation, consists of alternating beds of bedded limestone, shale, and minor dolomite interlayers, originally deposited as turbidites and shelf carbonates before deformation along the Qomolangma Detachment fault system. The band's exposure on Cho Oyu's northwest face underscores the regional tectonic slicing that exhumed these mid-crustal units.^[26]^[27] As part of the active Himalayan thrust fault system, Cho Oyu lies within a seismically hazardous zone influenced by the Main Himalayan Thrust, a basal décollement that accommodates ongoing convergence and has generated historical earthquakes, including those propagating along ramp structures beneath the High Himalaya. This system continues to drive crustal shortening and uplift, with seismic activity reflecting the locked interface between the plates, capable of releasing strain in great earthquakes.^[28]

Name and Cultural Context

Etymology and Naming

The name "Cho Oyu" derives from the Tibetan language, commonly translated as "Turquoise Goddess," with "cho" (or "chomo") signifying a goddess and "oyu" (or "yu") referring to turquoise, evoking the peak's bluish-green tint under specific lighting conditions or its visual harmony with the turquoise hues of the nearby sacred Gokyo Lakes.^[29]^[30] This interpretation highlights the mountain's aesthetic and spiritual resonance in local Himalayan traditions.^[31] Alternative translations of the name include "Mighty Head," "God's Head," or "Bald God," the latter linked to a Tibetan legend in which Cho Oyu turned its head away from Chomolungma (Mount Everest) in shyness, resulting in its rounded, bald summit.^[30] These variations underscore the linguistic fluidity in Tibetan and Sherpa dialects, where names often blend natural descriptions with mythological elements. In Western contexts, "Cho Oyu" gained prominence during the mid-20th-century expeditions, notably the 1954 Austrian-led first ascent team under Herbert Tichy, who adopted the local Tibetan name over earlier provisional designations used in surveys.^[3] The official Chinese name, 卓奥友峰 (Zhuó'àyǒu Fēng), serves as a phonetic transliteration of the Tibetan original, preserving its linguistic roots without altering the core meaning.^[11]

Significance in Local Cultures

In Sherpa and Tibetan Buddhist traditions, Cho Oyu is revered as a sacred peak embodying divine feminine energy, often associated with protective deities that safeguard the surrounding landscapes.^[32] The mountain's Tibetan name, translating to "Turquoise Goddess," reflects its spiritual symbolism, evoking purity and serenity in local cosmology, where it is seen as a dwelling place for benevolent mountain spirits integrated into broader Himalayan Buddhist practices.^[33] These beliefs underscore the mountain's role in rituals seeking blessings for harmony with nature, emphasizing respect for its holy status among communities in the Khumbu region.^[34] Folklore among the Sherpa people portrays Cho Oyu and nearby peaks as inhabited by lha, regional mountain gods considered protective deities who guard against malevolent forces and ensure the well-being of valley inhabitants.^[35] These spirits, part of pre-Buddhist animistic traditions blended with Tibetan Buddhism, are propitiated through offerings to maintain balance between humans and the sacred landscape, with stories passed down orally highlighting the gods' role in preserving cultural identity.^[36] Such narratives reinforce the mountain's integral place in Sherpa worldview, where violating sacred sites invites misfortune.^[37] Historically, Cho Oyu's proximity to the Nangpa La pass has shaped its economic significance, serving as a vital corridor for ancient salt trade caravans between Tibet and Nepal's Khumbu Sherpas, who exchanged Tibetan rock salt for lowland grains and goods.^[38] This route, used for centuries by Tibetan traders and Sherpa porters, fostered cross-border cultural exchanges and sustained local livelihoods before modern borders restricted access.^[39] In contemporary times, Cho Oyu influences Sherpa communities through their pivotal role in mountaineering guiding, providing economic opportunities via expeditions that employ locals as porters, cooks, and support staff while preserving cultural practices.^[40] At base camps, traditional puja ceremonies—led by lamas with prayers, incense, and offerings—invoke mountain deities for safe ascents, blending ancient rituals with modern tourism and fostering community pride in Himalayan heritage.^[41] These events, often shared with international climbers, highlight ongoing cultural vitality amid globalization.^[34]

Climbing Expeditions

Early Attempts and First Ascent

The initial Western interest in Cho Oyu arose during the 1921 British Mount Everest reconnaissance expedition, when team members, including George Mallory and Guy Bullock, first sighted the peak while exploring potential routes in the region and considered it as a possible secondary objective.^[42] Further observations occurred in the 1930s during subsequent Everest expeditions, providing cartographic details but no climbing attempts due to logistical constraints and focus on Everest itself. In 1951, Eric Shipton led a British reconnaissance from the Nepal side, scouting the northwest ridge via the Nangpa La pass and identifying a feasible approach along the Gyabrag Glacier, though no high-altitude climbing took place.^[43] The following year, Shipton organized the first serious attempt on Cho Oyu with a British team including Edmund Hillary and George Lowe, establishing camps up to approximately 6,800 meters on the northwest ridge; however, they turned back at a treacherous ice cliff riddled with unstable seracs, deeming it too hazardous without additional resources.^[44] The successful first ascent came in 1954 via an Austrian expedition approaching from the Tibetan side, led by geologist Herbert Tichy with a small team that emphasized lightweight gear and self-reliance.^[45] On October 19, Tichy, along with climber Sepp Jöchler and experienced Sherpa Pasang Dawa Lama, reached the summit at 8,188 meters without supplemental oxygen, navigating the northwest ridge past deep snow, an icefall, and a severe storm that caused frostbite injuries.^[45] This marked the fifth eight-thousander to be climbed, highlighting the route's relative accessibility compared to steeper Himalayan giants.^[43]

Major Routes and Techniques

The primary route on Cho Oyu is the Northwest Ridge, accessed from the Tibetan side, which serves as the standard path for most expeditions due to its relative accessibility compared to other 8,000-meter peaks. Graded PD (peu difficile) in the French alpine classification, this route features a mix of snow, ice, and moderate rock sections, with the most notable challenge being a steep ice cliff at approximately 7,000 meters.^[46] It typically requires 6-7 days of climbing from Advanced Base Camp at 5,650 meters to the summit, involving multiple rotations for acclimatization between camps at 6,400 meters and 7,000 meters.^[46] From the Nepalese side, the Southwest Face offers a more demanding alternative, rising 3,000 meters from Advanced Base Camp and involving technical mixed climbing on rock, ice, and snow with steepness up to 60 degrees in places. First ascended in 1990 by Voytek Kurtyka, Erhard Loretan, and Jean Troillet without supplemental oxygen, this route includes a prominent couloir leading to rocky bands and deep snowfields, demanding advanced ice and rock skills.^[12] A related technical path, the Southeast Face, was pioneered in 1978 by Eduard Koblmüller and Alois Furtner, featuring avalanche-prone ice troughs and mixed terrain that requires precise route-finding to avoid rockfall and seracs.^[12] Standard techniques on these routes emphasize safety and efficiency at high altitude, including the deployment of fixed ropes on lower exposed sections and the ice cliff to facilitate movement over steep or crevasse-ridden terrain. Climbers rely on crampons and ice axes for secure footing across upper snowfields and icy couloirs, often employing jümaring on fixed lines for ascents.^[47]^[48] Supplemental oxygen is commonly used above 7,000 meters to sustain performance during the summit push, with teams typically allocating multiple bottles per climber for both climbing and camp use.^[49]

Notable Achievements and Records

Speed and Solo Ascents

Cho Oyu has witnessed several remarkable speed ascents, showcasing the mountain's relative accessibility among the eight-thousanders for rapid pushes by elite climbers. In 1994, Mexican mountaineer Carlos Carsolio set a then-world record by ascending from base camp (5,700 m) to the summit in 18 hours and 45 minutes via the standard northwest ridge route, without supplemental oxygen.^[50] More recently, in October 2023, German climber Benedikt Boehm and Nepalese guide Prakash Sherpa completed a speed ascent from advanced base camp (5,600 m) to the summit in 12 hours and 35 minutes, and back to camp in a round trip of 19 hours, highlighting advancements in acclimatization and lightweight techniques.^[51] Spanish ultra-runner Kilian Jornet also made a notable fast push in May 2017, summiting in approximately 14 hours from Camp 1 (advanced base camp) during acclimatization for Everest, without fixed ropes or supplemental oxygen.^[52] Solo ascents on Cho Oyu represent significant personal endeavors, often on challenging faces due to the mountain's technical sections. The first solo ascent was achieved by Japanese climber Yasushi Yamanoi in September 1994 via a variation on the southwest face from Nepal, starting his push at 8:30 p.m. from advanced base camp and climbing 1,200 vertical meters overnight on 60-degree snow and ice slopes without supplemental oxygen or fixed protection.^[50] Yamanoi's feat joined a rare club of solo new routes on 8,000 m peaks and remains one of the most audacious solos on the mountain.^[53] Another groundbreaking solo effort came in winter 1988, when Spanish climber Fernando Garrido made a five-day solo ascent of the west buttress from a camp at 5,850 m, enduring extreme cold without supplemental oxygen.^[54] The first winter ascent of Cho Oyu, a milestone in high-altitude mountaineering, was completed on February 12, 1985, by Maciej Berbeka and Maciej Pawlikowski of a Polish-Canadian expedition led by Andrzej Zawada, via the northwest ridge without supplemental oxygen.^[55] This team-based effort opened the era of winter eight-thousander climbs, with Zawada's leadership pivotal in establishing Poland's winter Himalayan program. Among other notable records, the first female ascent was made in 1984 by American-Czech climber Věra Komárková and Czechoslovakian Dina Štěrbová via the northwest ridge with supplemental oxygen, marking a breakthrough for women on 8,000 m peaks.^[4] As of 2024, Cho Oyu had recorded approximately 4,000 successful summits, reflecting its popularity and a typical expedition success rate of 60-75%, the highest among eight-thousanders due to favorable weather windows and fixed ropes on standard routes.^[56]

Environmental and Safety Milestones

Cho Oyu has recorded 52 fatalities among approximately 4,000 successful summits as of 2024, yielding the lowest death-to-summit ratio (about 1.3%) of any eight-thousander. Avalanches have been one of the primary causes of death, accounting for notable incidents such as the 1959 event on the southwest face that killed four members of an international women's expedition.^[11]^[57] The evolution of safety protocols has significantly contributed to this relatively low rate. Key safety milestones include the increasing availability of rescue helicopters starting in the late 1980s and 1990s, particularly for expeditions on the Nepal side, enabling faster evacuations from base camp and lower camps following incidents like the 1986 rescue arranged during a Cho Oyu-related effort near Ngozumpa Kang. Helicopter use in Tibet remains restricted, but Nepal-side operations have benefited from this advancement.^[58] Since around 2000, mandatory professional weather forecasting has become standard for Cho Oyu expeditions, with operators subscribing to specialized services to predict high-altitude storms and optimize summit windows, reducing exposure to hazardous conditions.^[59] The use of supplemental oxygen has evolved from being absent in the 1954 first ascent—achieved without it by Herbert Tichy, Joseph Jöchler, and Pasang Dawa Lama—to widespread regulated application today. Early climbs often banned or avoided bottled oxygen to emphasize purism, but modern expeditions now allocate 4–5 bottles per climber under strict guidelines from Chinese and Nepali authorities, balancing performance with health risks like oxygen dependency. This shift has lowered physiological fatalities while requiring mandatory training on usage.^[4] In the 2010s, Sherpa-led safety courses gained prominence through initiatives like the Khumbu Climbing Center, established in 2003 and expanded with annual programs training 80 young Nepali climbers aged 18–25 in crevasse rescue, avalanche awareness, and high-altitude techniques. These courses, held in Phortse, directly support safer operations on Cho Oyu by empowering local guides who fix routes and assist international teams.^[60]

Conservation Efforts

Protected Areas and Regulations

Cho Oyu, straddling the Nepal-Tibet border, benefits from dual protected designations to safeguard its fragile high-altitude ecosystem. On the Nepalese side, the mountain falls within Sagarmatha National Park, established in 1976 and inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979, encompassing peaks like Cho Oyu alongside Mount Everest to preserve unique Himalayan biodiversity and cultural heritage.^[61] On the Tibetan side, it is included in the Qomolangma National Nature Preserve, a vast protected area spanning over 3.38 million hectares established in 1989 to protect the region's flora, fauna, and geological features along the Nepal border.^[62] The standard northwest ridge route approaches from Tibet, requiring permits from Chinese authorities via the China Tibet Mountaineering Association (CTMA), with a royalty fee of approximately US$7,500 per climber (as of 2025).^[63] A rarer southwest face approach from Nepal requires a mountaineering royalty fee of US$50,000 per person for expeditions above 8,000 meters during spring or autumn seasons (as of September 2025), in addition to the Sagarmatha National Park entry permit costing approximately US$30 for foreign nationals.^[64]^[65]^[66] Regulations governing Cho Oyu ascents emphasize environmental protection and safety, limiting activities to pre-monsoon (April-May) and post-monsoon (September-October) seasons when weather conditions are most stable and avalanche risks are lower.^[67] Fixed ropes and other installations are restricted or banned in ecologically sensitive zones, such as high-altitude meadows and glacier approaches, to minimize habitat disruption and visual pollution, as enforced by national park authorities.^[68] International oversight is provided through the Union Internationale des Associations d'Alpinisme (UIAA), whose guidelines on sustainable mountaineering practices, including waste management and ethical climbing styles, are adopted by expedition operators on Cho Oyu to align with global standards for 8,000-meter peaks.^[69] These measures help mitigate human impacts like trail erosion, though ongoing monitoring is essential for long-term preservation.

Human Impact and Mitigation

Climbing expeditions on Cho Oyu have contributed to environmental degradation through the accumulation of waste, with cleanups revealing significant pollution from discarded gear, packaging, and human waste at base camps and higher altitudes. In 2021, Nepalese climbers removed approximately 2.2 tons of garbage from Cho Oyu and neighboring peaks like Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu, highlighting the scale of debris left by expeditions. Similarly, in 2019, over 11 tons of waste were collected from these same mountains, indicating ongoing accumulation from annual climbing activities that can exceed several tons across the region. Pollution at Cho Oyu's base camp, located in the Tibetan plateau, includes plastics, oxygen canisters, and organic refuse that contaminate soil and water sources, exacerbating local ecosystem stress. The mountain's glaciers are retreating at an accelerated rate due to climate change, compounded by the indirect effects of human activities such as foot traffic from climbers, which can locally hasten ice melt through compaction and increased exposure. Satellite data shows that Himalayan glacier mass loss doubled between the 2000s and 2010s, with Cho Oyu's ice features, including its icefalls, becoming less stable as a result. In the Cho Oyu region, average temperatures have risen by about 0.2°C per decade on the Tibetan plateau since the mid-20th century, contributing to this retreat and posing risks to icefall integrity during expeditions.^[70] Human presence from climbing disturbs wildlife in the Cho Oyu area, including endangered snow leopards and Himalayan tahr, through habitat fragmentation, noise, and waste-related contamination that affects prey availability and foraging patterns. Snow leopards, native to the high-altitude zones around Cho Oyu, are increasingly displaced upward by combined climate warming and human disturbances from expeditions, leading to reduced suitable habitat. Himalayan tahr populations in the broader Himalayan region face similar threats from base camp pollution and trampling of vegetation, disrupting their grazing areas near climbing routes. Mitigation efforts include the promotion of "Leave No Trace" principles by expedition operators on Cho Oyu since the early 2000s, emphasizing waste removal, minimal impact camping, and education to reduce environmental footprint. Organizations like EcoHimal have led waste management initiatives in the Himalayas during the 2010s, including the Saving Mount Everest project (2011–2015), which focused on solid waste handling in high-altitude areas and supported community-led cleanups, though specific removals from Cho Oyu totaled several tons across regional efforts. The Bally Peak Outlook Foundation's campaigns have also removed multiple tons of waste from Cho Oyu-inclusive sites, fostering sustainable practices amid protected area regulations that mandate waste transport off the mountain.^[71]

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Jan 3, 2021 · Cho Oyu means "Turquoise Goddess" in Tibetan. Cho Oyu was first attempted in 1952 by an expedition organised and financed by the Joint Himalayan ...
[34]
Mount Cho Oyu: Explore the 8,000m Himalayan Giant
Oct 3, 2025 · At 8,188 metres (26,864 feet), Mount Cho Oyu is the sixth-highest mountain in the world. The first ascent came on 19 October 1954, when Austrian ...Missing: measurement | Show results with:measurement
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The 14 Highest Mountains of Nepal - Sherpa Adventure Gear
Elevation: 8,188m (26,864 ft) In the Tibetan language Cho Oyu means 'Turquoise Goddess'. It is thought the mountain gets this name as the mountains' shadows ...
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Cho Oyu: The Turquoise Goddess
### Cultural and Spiritual Significance of Cho Oyu
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The Sacred Himalaya - AAC Publications - American Alpine Club
Mountain deities are believed to protect people against malevolent spirits, and shamans may call them when illnesses and other misfortunes occur. Among the ...
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part one sherpa cultural ecology - UC Press E-Books Collection
As in Tibet there is respect also for divinities and powers in the natural landscape such as yul lha (regional mountain gods) and lu (spirits of springs and ...
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[PDF] NaTuRe CoNSeRvaTioN - ICCA Consortium
From every perspective, Sherpa indigenous religion, culture and tradition are seen to have played a role in managing and protecting sacred mountains, hills, ...
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The salt of the earth | Nepali Times
Apr 9, 2022 · Similarly, the Sherpa of the Khumbu region bought and transported rock salt from Tingri in Tibet across the Nangpa La and traded it with the Rai ...Missing: ancient | Show results with:ancient
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Nangpa La Pass Trek - Nepal Independent Guide
Rating 100% (600) Historically, Nangpa La Pass has been a conduit for trade and cultural exchange between Nepal and Tibet. Traders and pilgrims once traversed its rocky paths, ...
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Sherpas: The Invisible Men of Everest | National Geographic
Apr 26, 2014 · Taking pride in their moments of glory, Sherpa guides pose for snapshots on the summits of Himalayan giants such as Mount Everest (29,035 feet/ ...
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Cho Oyu Base Camp Trek (and Advance BC) - Project Base8000
Firstly, you drive there from Tingri along a well maintained sealed highway leading all the way to the Nepal border. You then finally reach a cleared area ...
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HJ/17/2 THE RECONNAISSANCE OF MOUNT EVEREST, 19511
On 19th July 1921 Mallory and Bullock climbed from the ... Supposing Everest to be hopeless we should need a second objective, and for this chose Cho Oyu.
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Goddess of Turquoise: my attempt on Cho Oyu - Mark Horrell
whose name translates variously as Bald God or Goddess of Turquoise — is the sixth highest mountain in the world ...Missing: meaning | Show results with:meaning<|control11|><|separator|>
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The First Ascent of Cho Oyu, 71 Years Ago - Explorersweb »
Oct 19, 2025 · In 1937, he carried out the first ascent of a 7,000'er. Together with Spencer Chapman, he summited Chomolhari, surviving a challenging descent.
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None
### Summary of the 1952 British Cho Oyu Expedition
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None
### Summary of the 1954 Austrian Cho Oyu Expedition
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The Northwest Ridge on Cho Oyu - Alpenglow Expeditions
As the sixth highest peak in the world, Cho Oyu offers an array of climbing routes on the 'easiest' 8000er, each presenting distinct challenges and rewards.Missing: valley | Show results with:valley
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Everything you need to know about Cho Oyu 8201M Expedition
... climbing using crampons on snow, ice, and steep surfaces, as well as being comfortable and proficient in using fixed ropes on steep and exposed sections.
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Newcomers' Guide: Fixed Ropes in Himalayan Climbing
Mar 24, 2022 · A fixed rope is a semi-static or static nylon rope, secured at one or both ends to rock or ice on the mountain. Climbers use it as both a lifeline and a ladder.
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Cho Oyu expedition climbing guide
Cho Oyu Sherpa Ratio. 1:1 sherpa to climber ratio. This ensures we have the sherpa necessary to carry loads, set camps, and assist climbers. All of our lead ...The Alpenglow Difference · Expedition Overview · Cho Oyu Route DescriptionMissing: spirits lha
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Cho Oyu Expedition | Snowy Horizon Adventure
Cho Oyu is located 30km west of Mt Everest and straddles the border between Nepal and Tibet. The peak can be climbed from both Nepalese sides up on the south ...
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Asia, Nepal, Cho Oyu, Southwest Face - AAC Publications
They climbed in pure alpine-style on Cho Oyu's southwest face, which had been scaled only once before, by Swiss Loretan and Troillet and Pole Kurtyka in 1990. ...
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Cho Oyu on the Run: Prakash Sherpa and Benedikt Boehm
Oct 12, 2023 · They sped up from Advanced Base Camp to the summit in 12 hours and 35 minutes. The round trip from Base Camp took 19 hours.
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Cho Oyu summit: Where is it exactly - Explorersweb »
May 9, 2017 · Acclimating for a speed attempt on Everest, Kilian Jornet reportedly climbed Cho Oyu summit in 14 hours from camp 1. Not entirely sure if he ...
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To Look the Bear in the Eye; The Life of Yasushi Yamanoi - Alpinist
Jul 6, 2018 · To mountaineers, his solitary climb in 1994 on the southwest face of Cho Oyu is perhaps an even more unusual feat. In the 2014 American Alpine ...
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Asia, Nepal, Cho Oyu Solo Winter Ascent, 1988 - AAC Publications
Spaniard Fernando Garrido took five days for his lonely ascent, beginning on February 2, 1988 from a camp at 5850 meters near the foot of Cho Oyu's western ...
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Asia, Nepal, Cho Oyu, Winter Ascent - AAC Publications
Cho Oyu, Winter Ascent. A Polish-Canadian party led by Andrzej Zawada completed the first winter ascent of Cho Oyu (8201 meters, 26,906 feet).Missing: team | Show results with:team
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First ascent of Cho Oyo (female) - Guinness World Records
The first women to climb Cho Oyo (8188 m; 26863 ft) in the Mahālangūr Himāl are Věra Komárková (USA, b. Bohemia and Moravia, now Czechia) and Dina Štěrbová ...Missing: Oyu Vera 1983
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Cho Oyu - Summit Climb to 8,200 Meters
Cho Oyu: The sixth highest mountain in the world is known as the "Goddess of Turquoise" because of its turquoise glow in the evening light.Missing: measurement | Show results with:measurement
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[PDF] A Statistical Analysis of Mountaineering in the Nepal Himalaya
than the mean death rate of 1.77% for all 8000ers, and all avalanche prone and technically demanding. Lhotse and Cho Oyu have death rates significantly lower ...<|control11|><|separator|>
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Asia, Nepal, Ngojumba Kang and Cho Oyu - AAC Publications
Sirdar Pema ran what was considered to be a three-day trip to Namche in eight hours for a rescue helicopter. Others, under the still conscious doctor's ...
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[PDF] Cho Oyu Trip Packet 2025 - Alpenglow Expeditions
Having a quality forecast for Cho Oyu maximizes both our safety and our summit success. These weather forecasts were originally developed for aircraft traveling ...Missing: mandatory | Show results with:mandatory
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Khumbu Climbing Center: KCC
Jun 21, 2021 · Founded in 2003, our mission is to increase the safety margin of Nepali climbers and high altitude workers by encouraging responsible climbing practices.
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Sagarmatha National Park - UNESCO World Heritage Centre
Protection and management requirements Sagarmatha National Park was established on July 19, 1976 under the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act and is ...Missing: Cho Oyu
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Qomolangma National Nature Reserve - Tibet Tour
Qomolangma National Nature Reserve is located in Tingri County, Nylam County, Kylong County, Dinggye County, and on the boarder between Tibet and Nepal.
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https://explorersweb.com/a-look-at-ctma-rules-for-everests-north-side-shisha-pangma-and-cho-oyu/
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Nepal mountain climbing fee guide: What will you pay in 2025–2026
Aug 20, 2025 · The Sagarmatha National Park entry fee currently stands at NPR 3,000 for foreign tourists, while the Khumbu PLRM fee, which can be paid at the ...
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China again fuels the permit price spiral for Everest and Co.
Nov 23, 2019 · The Chinese Mountaineering Association (CMA) has now sent out the ... For Cho Oyu, 9,300 dollars per mountaineer will have to be paid next spring.
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A Look at China's Strict 8000m Rules - Explorersweb »
Sep 18, 2024 · Climbers applying for a permit to Tibetan peaks must provide a complete medical dossier and a climbing resumé, including certificates of previous ascents.
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UIAA position on 8000m peaks
Feb 27, 2024 · It is therefore the opinion of the UIAA that the number of mountains over 8000 metres be recognised as the “classic” 14 peaks.Missing: guidelines | Show results with:guidelines
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(PDF) Climate Change Over the Himalayas - ResearchGate
Jun 17, 2020 · teau at a rate of 0.2 °C per decade during 1951–2014. High-elevation ... The rise in mean temperature was observed highest at GH, i.e. 0.87 C ...Missing: Cho Oyu
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https://www.ecohimal.org.np/projects/completed