The great barrier of Cho Oyu stands across the border of Nepal & Tibet. It lies just 70 kilometers west of Mt. Everest. It is the world's sixth highest mountain and of the fourteen 8,000 meter peaks. Cho Oyu is regarded as one of the most straightforward climbing mountains above 8000 meters. The normal route ascends the north-west face from the Tibetan side of the Nangpa La, the old trading route between Nepal & Tibet. This will be our route of ascent.
Cho Oyu was first climbed by an Austrian expedition in 1954. It was only ascended twice more (Indian 1958, German 1964) before the Chinese closed Tibet to foreign expeditions. Since its reopening in the 1980, Cho Oyu's normal route has been climbed many times and receives guided ascents every year.
The Nepalese side of the mountain comprises the formidable south face, which has only been climbed a handful of times. It is illegal to attempt the north-west face from Nepal, as it entails a secret entry into Tibet. Our expedition will be entering Tibet via the Friendship Bridge at Zaangmu and driving overland over the Tibetan plateau to the north side of the mountain. From the road-head, three days walking leads to the base camp.
Grade :
Itinerary:
Day 01:
Arrive in Kathmandu. Receive and transfer to hotel. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 02/3:
Kathmandu - Preparation for Expedition & Briefing. Overnights at hotel.
Day 4:
Drive Kathmandu - Tibetan Border. Overnight at Guest house.
Day 5:
Drive Friendship Bridge - Zhangmu. Guest house.
Day 6 - 10:
Drive Zhangmu - Gyedrak. Guest house/camp
Day 11:
Rest at Gyedrak. Guest house/camp
Day 12 - 15:
With yaks carrying the expedition supplies, we trek up the through long valley to Base Camp. We spend 3 nights at intermediate camps at 5,200 and 5,450 meters before continuing to Base Camp.
Day 16 - 40:
Climbing the north-west face of Cho Oyu. (Camp 1: 6,400 meters, Camp 2: 7,000 meters and Camp 3: 7,400 meters)
Day 41:
Return trek to the road-head with yaks carrying our equipment. Our road transport will be waiting for us. We spend our last night in tents.
Day 42 - 45:
Drive back to Xangmu and across the border into Nepal. We stay once more at Kodari or Tatopani in a local Nepalese lodge.
Day 46:
Drive back to Kathmandu. Overnight at hotel.
Day 47/48:
Free days. Spare days, those can be used in case of any delay or interruption on the way due to landslide or any reason. A traditional farewell dinner will be hosted by Vertical Adventure on the last day's evening. Overnights at hotel.
Day 49:
Departure. Transfer to airport for final departure.
