Cho Oyu
Going Up Into Thin Air
pronounced “choy-Oh-you”
or Tibetan "Turquoise God,”
About Cho Oyu
Cho Oyu is the 6th highest mountain in the world. It is at 26,906 feet (8,201 meters) high. It is the easiest 8,000 meter peak to climb. Cho Oyu also has one of the highest success rates. It is 86.3%. As of 2009 43 people have died on Cho Oyu. Cho Oyu also is now populated with skiers and snowboarders.
Location
Cho Oyu is located in Nepal, Asia
Coordinates: 28°06′00″ N 86°39′00″ E
The first ascent
First ascent in 1954 by an illegal Austrian expedition that crossed over Nangpa La to access it. First ascent climbers were Herbert Tichy, Joseph Jöchler and Sherpa Pasang Dawa Lama.
Other ascents
- On October 2, 2006, Slovenian Pavle Kozjek speed-climbed a new route on the Southwest Face in a single solo ascent from advanced base camp. The crux was a vertical icefall, which was bypassed with 5.6 rock climbing. He reached the summit in 14 hours.
- The first American ski descent of an 8,000-meter peak was on October 1, 2002, when Montana ski mountaineer Kristoffer Erickson reached the summit of Cho Oyu and then skied down.
Gear required
- 1 Sleeping Bag
- 1 Harness
- 1 Ice Axe
- 1 Pair Crampons
- 1 Head Lamp
- 1 Pocket Knife
- 1 Pair Goggles
- 1 Large Pack
- 1 Day Pack
- Camera
- Personal First Aid Kit