Tibet - Cho Oyu - West Ridge | Expedition-Logistics

Tibet

Cho Oyu — West Ridge (continued)

Cho Oyu (26,906’)

Itinerary

Day 19 — Casual wake-up; mandatory rest day. Today is a rest day to promote recovery and allow for proper acclimatization. This evening we prepare our loads for tomorrow’s carry and overnight at Camp 1.

Day 20 — Early wake-up; carry to Camp 1; overnight. This morning we make another carry and overnight at Camp 1.

Day 21 — Casual wake-up; mandatory rest day. Today is a rest day to promote recovery and allow for proper acclimatization. We will use this time to rest and acclimate, and to prepare our loads for tomorrow’s carry and overnight at Camp 2.

Day 22 — Early wake-up; carry to Camp 2; overnight. Today we encounter the first real climbing of the expedition as we make a carry and overnight at Camp 2. Leaving Camp 1, the route takes us over a ridge with high quality snow and ice climbing, and leads us to the route’s crux; a 160-foot section of steep ice that we ascend via fixed lines and front-pointing. After a short while we arrive at a broad plateau called “the football field”, where we set up Camp 2 (23,600’), recuperate and enjoy great views of the summit. This evening we prepare our loads for tomorrow’s carry to Camp 3.

Day 23 — Early wake-up; carry to Camp 3; return to ABC. This morning we further our active acclimatization with a light carry up moderate snow slopes to Camp 3 (24,500’). After caching our gear we take a short break to eat, hydrate and catch our breath, and then descend to ABC to recuperate and prepare for our summit push.

Days 24 - 25 — Casual wake-up; mandatory rest days. These are rest days to promote recovery and allow for proper acclimatization. This evening we organize our gear and prepare for tomorrow’s start of our summit push.

Day 26 — Early wake-up; move to Camp 1. This morning we begin our summit push by hiking up to Camp 1. This evening we prepare for tomorrow’s move to Camp 2.

Day 27 — Early wake-up; move to Camp 2. This morning we move to Camp 2 and prepare for tomorrow’s move to Camp 3.

Day 28 — Casual wake-up; move to Camp 3. This morning we move to Camp 3 and prepare for tomorrow’s summit bid. While in Camp 3 we will breathe supplemental oxygen both during the day and while sleeping, as well as on summit day. While some climbers chose to forego bottled oxygen, the increased incidence of altitude related health problems (both minor and life-threatening) and their effect on summit day success-rates has put us in favor of supplemental oxygen. After organizing our gear and preparing for tomorrow’s summit bid, we will eat an early supper, drink plenty of hot liquids and call it a night.

Day 29 — Alpine wake-up; Cho Oyu summit; return to Camp 2. Departing Camp 3 by headlamp we negotiate a rock band via fixed lines, and then moderate snow and ice up the West Face, eventually arriving at the West Ridge. Continuing along the West Ridge, we encounter the summit plateau (26,000') which we follow to the summit (26,906’). Cho Oyu means “Turquoise God” in Tibetan; the legend says that the Turquoise God fell in love with Chomolungma (Everest), the “Goddess Mother of the Earth”. However, Chomolungma saw fit to marry Makalu, located to her southeast. A heartbroken Cho Oyu turned away from Chomolungma and never married. After out time on the summit we descend to Camp 2.

Day 30 — Casual wake-up; return to ABC. This morning we leave Camp 2 and descend back to ABC.

Day 31 — Casual wake-up; prepare for return to Basecamp. After a casual wake-up and leisurely breakfast, we organize our gear into yak-loads and clean up our area in preparation for tomorrow’s move back to Basecamp.

Day 32 — Early wake-up; return to basecamp. This morning we welcome the return of our yak drivers and assist with loading the beasts for the return trek to Basecamp. We trek easily along the road and arrive in the late afternoon.

Days 33-38 — Optional days. These days can be used at any time during the expedition, and are built in to the itinerary to allow for illness or injury; to be used for additional rest and acclimatization; or as additional summit days to allow for unfavorable weather or route conditions.

Day 39 — Early wake-up; transfer to Zhangmu. This morning we pack up, clean up our area of basecamp, and load our gear onto trucks for the drive to Zhangmu, near the Nepal border. This small town surrounded by heavily wooded hills has become a major trading post between Tibet and Nepal, and even attracting merchants from inland China. Nepalese merchants export rice, flour, pepper, vegetables and perfumes while Chinese merchants sell wool, tea, salt and Tibetan medicine. According to an agreement between the Chinese and Nepalese governments, people living within 18 miles of the border may cross freely. Every day hundreds of Chinese and Nepalese merchants conduct business under this agreement. Local Sherpas lease their houses to the merchants, thus sharing in the profit of the border trade.

Day 40 — Early wake-up; transfer to Kathmandu. This morning we bid farewell to Zhangmu and the friendly people of Tibet, pass through Chinese border patrol and customs checkpoints, and drive over the Friendship Bridge spanning the Bhote Kosi River into Nepal. It is interesting to note that we drive on the right side of the road on the Tibet half of the bridge, and then switch to the left side on the Nepal half. Upon crossing into Nepal we also set our watches back by two hours and fifteen minutes. We follow the Arniko Highway to Kathmandu and, barring any closures due to landslides, we arrive in the afternoon. After hotel check-in we have the rest of the day to relax.

Day 41 — Casual wake-up; prepare for travel. Following a leisurely breakfast, we inventory gear, pack for travel, and take one more opportunity to sightsee or shop. This evening, join your teammates for a celebration dinner and expedition debriefing.

Day 42 — Casual wake-up; transfer to airport; return flights home.

Note on Itinerary

Although our guides take reasonable measures to adhere to the itinerary, it is subject to change due to variables including, but not limited to, weather and route conditions, the condition and ability of the team, local and US government restrictions, airline changes or cancellations, other variables outside the control of Expedition-Logistics, blah, blah, blah.

Land Cost

Land Cost Includes
Professional U.S. and local guides, basecamp cook/manager, porters and pack animals, in-country ground and air transportation, all overnight accommodations, all scheduled meals, permits, group climbing equipment (ropes, rock, snow and ice protection, etc.), group camping equipment (tents, stoves, fuel, cooking pots, first aid kits, etc.), and oxygen where necessary.

Land Cost Does Not Include
International roundtrip airfare, personal climbing and camping equipment (see Personal Equipment Checklist for more information), trip cancellation insurance, medical or evacuation insurance, excess baggage fees or airport taxes, expenses incurred as a result of inclement weather or other conditions of nature, government action, illness, flight delays, or any other delays beyond the control of Expedition-Logistics, including unscheduled hotel nights and meals, incidental personal expenses (phone calls, laundry, room service, etc.), alcoholic beverages, or gratuities to guides, porters and staff.

Additional Information

See our Terms & Conditions for more. If you have questions regarding this expedition or your suitability for it, contact us at climb@expedition-logistics.com; please include your telephone number and the best time to call.