Cho Oyu 2009 is underway

In spring it is Everest, medical in the fall it is Cho Oyu serving as the most popular 8000m climbs. With unrest in Tibet and their own Olympic torch agenda, the Chinese restricted access the past two years but 2009 is back to normal with over 10 expeditions.

IMG has the early lead with their team already at base camp. By my count there will be over 100 people attempting the summit this year – a little less than a normal year for this “easy” 8000m climb.

I climbed to the summit plateau, 8000m, with IMG in the Fall of 1998. It was my first true big expedition and I learned a great deal. Not a lot has changed in over 10 years since most teams use the same route.

One thing that has changed is that with more people now there are more deaths. Sadly each recent year has seen at least one death.

Technically Cho Oyu is not a difficult climb meaning there are no icefalls or rock steps like on Everest or deep crevassed areas as on Denali. However it is the 6th highest mountain on the planet at 26, 907’ and if you are not well prepared, altitude can take a toll. On our climb we had one team member die from unknown causes but altitude was a contributing factor. We buried him in a crevasse near camp 2.

With the “easy” reputation and many commercial expeditions, some climbers use Cho Oyu to prepare them for Everest. Commercial operators often market it as a training climb and charge anywhere from $11,000 to 19,000. But to be sure, it is a serious high-altitude mountaineering event regardless of the next objective.

I am watching Cho Oyu carefully this year and will report regularly on the happenings. One of my climbing friends, Jim Davidson is climbing with IMG. You can read his blog which is posted directly from the climb.

My to all the teams for a safe summit and return.

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