Most Cho Oyu climbs follow the northwest ridge from the Tibet side, with base camp reached by road and then a walk. The Nepal side is more technical and used far less. The summit is 8,188 m, so teams use high camps and often supplementary oxygen.
The Tibet side
Climbers enter Tibet by road, acclimatise at a base camp near the foot of the mountain and move through advanced base camp and several high camps. The route has glacier travel, snow slopes and a final long summit day.
The Nepal side
Climbing from Nepal means crossing difficult terrain from the Gokyo valley or the Ngozumpa Glacier. It is far less common.
Oxygen and support
Most climbers use supplementary oxygen on summit day and have Sherpa support. Others climb without it, but that is for very experienced mountaineers.
Experience needed
You should have climbed at 7,000 m before, such as Baruntse or a similar peak, and be well prepared for a long expedition.
Acclimatisation rotation
Teams usually climb to a camp and return to base camp several times before a summit attempt. This rotation prepares the body for the final push. Rushing it is dangerous.
Risks on the route
Altitude illness, frostbite, avalanche and crevasses are the main hazards. A good team plans carefully and turns back when conditions are poor.
Plan it
See season and permits.
