Cho Oyu - World`s Sixth Highest and Most Accessible 8000 Metre Peak

Cho Oyu Programme Description

Please click one of the links below to view that section of our introductory information or just scroll down (photo right: Cho Oyu at sunset).

Programme description: Introduction Leader and staff National park

Drive to basecamp Lhasa option Basecamp and advanced basecamp Trek to advanced basecamp

High camps Rest days Summit Who is this trip for?

• Drive to basecamp: Our drive from Kathmandu, into Tibet and finally to basecamp is a relaxing and interesting adventure. We stop in medieval looking towns with dirt streets, experience Tibetan culture, while stopping to walk each day or so in the beautiful surrounding hills to acclimate to the rising altitude. It offers a great chance to encounter the vast Tibetan plateau and great views of the surrounding Himalayan Giants, Everest, Cho Oyu, and Shishapangma . We end at Chinese base camp at 4900 metres/16,000 feet, which is located just below the Jabula glacier, also known as the Kyetrag or Gyabrag glacier. Along the way we stay and eat at rustic hotels at the organizer's expense (photo right by Guntis Brands: The view from advanced basecamp at 5600 metres/18,400 feet. On the left side of the photo is the famous Nangpa La, where Tibetan traders carry goods to Namche Bazaar in Nepal. Many of the peaks in this photo have yet to be climbed). back to top

• Lhasa option: If you wish to add on a tour of the ancient city of Lhasa before arriving at basecamp, this is easily arranged so please let us know. Most people will prefer to fly to Kathmandu first to take advantage of the excellent equipment shopping there, then fly to Lhasa. The price includes a spectacular flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa over the Mount Everest massif. Some people prefer to fly to Lhasa from another city in China and we can also assist you with these arrangements.

• Basecamp and advanced basecamp: Features your own private sleeping tent that will be all your own, not needing to be shared with anyone. We have comfortable, heated dining tents with tables and chairs where our cooks and waiters will serve you delicious meals

• Trek to advanced basecamp: A beautiful trek to the base of the 6th highest peak in the world. This trek is very accomplishable by the average person who enjoys walking. Normally, you never step on snow and there is no climbing, only walking on moraine trails. There are gorgeous views of stunning peaks in the area, including Jobo-Rabzang, and many unclimbed and unnamed 6000 metre peaks. The trek is near the famous Nangpa La, an ancient route through the Himalaya where Tibetan traders carry goods to Namche Bazaar in Nepal and where many Tibetan refugees have fled for their lives. ABC is located at 5600 metres/18,400 feet.

• Climbing to the high camps:
   
• After ABC, walk up to camp 1, which is located in a saddle at 6,400 meters/21,100 feet, at the base of the north-west ridge. The trail to camp 1 crosses a flattish glacier, than a hill with loose scree and stone sometimes with snow. It is often referred to as the: "horrible hill" and is nearly always accomplished in sturdy trekking shoes, with good ankle support and a trekking pole for balance.
• The northwest ridge opens onto the northwest face, and there is one easy 6 metre/20 foot high technical fixed ice/snow step tilted at 40-68 degrees. Camp 2 is located on a large flat plateau at 7,000 meters/23,100 feet.
• Ubove camp 2, climb another headwall at about 28-46 degrees to camp 3 which is located on a flat space of the northwest ridge-face at 7,450 meters/24,600 feet. You shall attempt the summit from camp 3

• Rest Days: We will be taking a lot of them throughout the expedition. During your rest days we encourage you to concentrate on recovering, eating and drinking, to read, relax, listen to music and stroll around visiting other teams. back to top

• Summit attempt: You climb through a few small-easy rock steps (4 metres high) and mixed snow at a 28-46 degree angle to the wide summit plateau and make the long traverse to the little bump that marks the summit, at 8,201 meters/27,000 feet. You know you are on the true summit when you see the inspiring views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Makalu, and the entire Khumbu valley, as well as great views across the Tibetan plateau to Shishapangma.

• Who is this trip for?
• We encourage men and women from around the world, of all ages to join us as an individual team member or with your own group, whether that is your spouse, partner, friends, sibling, clients, colleagues, etc. Most of our members join as individuals, our team dynamics work well, and we are able to build successful and safe groups that enjoy trekking, climbing, and traveling together (photo right by David Lepagne: Franck Pitula arriving in Camp 2 at 7000 metres/23,100 feet).
• You should have previous high altitude climbing experience (such as Lhakpa Ri / North Col, Ama Dablam, Mustagata, Aconcagua, Denali, or other).
• To participate in this expedition you must be a very fit and active winter-walker-climber in good health. Prior to joining, please see your doctor and obtain the necessary permission and advice. back to top

Please "click" one of the links on the column on the upper right of your screen under "Cho Oyu" to learn more about our expedition.

Mount Cho Oyu Expedition Climb Cost

* Our “full-service” expedition includes:

• Leaders: Cost includes a very experienced and qualified British, European, or American leader;
• Climbing Sherpas for the group;
• Transport to base camp for you and equipment to/from Kathmandu, including accommodation and meals on the road;
• Yak transport of all equipment from the road to and from advanced basecamp;
• Three hot meals per day in base camp. Comfortable tables and chairs and dining tent;
• Skillful base camp cooks;
• All mountain, and base camp food;
• All permit fees and liaison officers;
• Use of group gear and supplies: rope, ice, rock, and snow anchor protection; base camp and altitude tents; cookers, fuel, high-altitude food, walkie-talkie radios, solar charging system etc;
• Emergency equipment and supplies: medical oxygen, gamow bag, base camp medical kit, high-altitude medical kits, etcetera;
• In addition to our top-quality high-altitude tents, we now provide an individual tent (1 tent per person) in base camp.
• Your trip includes 2 free Kathmandu hotel nights at the beginning and two free Kathmandu hotel nights at the end of the trip. You will be sharing. If you do not wish to share, you can pay an extra $20 for a single room (during any of the included 4 nights). If you want a room for extra nights, outside of the included 4 nights, the price will be $30 (single room). Price includes good delicious breakfast and mandatory 25% Nepal government tax and government service charge. Please bring extra cash to pay for your extra nights and / or your single supplement. We often stay at the comfortable three star Hotel Shakti. Its an excellent and classic hotel surrounded by green gardens and located in the heart of the city action near many delicious restaurants, the city's best mountain equipment shopping, and abundant nightlife all within a few minutes walk. The Shakti also offers lots of entertaining day trip (and night outing) options such as city tours, walking tours, rock climbing, mountain biking, wild game safaris, horse back riding, art classes, volunteer opportunities at orphanages, hospitals, schools, women's centres, bird watching, cooking classes, sport fishing, day peak climbing, herbal medicine seminars, day hikes, pottery classes, car tours, sightseeing, temple tours, henna handpainting classes, massage, swimming, beauty salon, motorbiking, yoga retreats, river rafting, painting classes, golf, language courses, kayaking, writing seminars, bungie jumping, religious worship, canyoning, hot tubs, health club, saunas, fitness center, spa treatments, Mount Kailash Treks, night clubs, meditation retreats, gourmet restaurants, cultural dance performances, wine tasting, pedicures and manicures, casino gambling, barber shop, discotheques, airport transfers, Scenic flights around Mount Everest and much much more. Meals in Kathmandu are at your expense.

Organization: During this full-service expedition, you will benefit from the organization provided by Dan Mazur. He is a relaxed, friendly and well organized person, and a highly-skilled professional with years of experience in getting people to the summit and back down with the highest attention to safety. He has been leading and organizing successful and safe overland, trekking, and mountaineering expeditions for over 20 years, to Tibet, Nepal, Tadjikistan, Pakistan, India, China, Africa, and North America. For more about Dan, please "click" on the Leadership link

Sherpas and Equipment Transport: Our expedition includes transport of all of your equipment from Kathmandu to advanced basecamp, and returned to Kathmandu. We could also bring you to basecamp from Lhasa, Tibet. More and more members are choosing to take the Lhasa option. While climbing on the mountain, we try not to ask our full-service members to carry heavy group equipment (although it is an option if you really want to), such as tents, rope, fuel, food, etcetera. We employ climbing sherpas, and high-altitude porters, to carry group equipment and supplies. For a minimal expense, we can also provide personal sherpas and climbing-guides to individual members who wish to have their own private sherpa or personal climbing-guide. We now encourage members to hire a 1/4 of a sherpa, to help with high altitude equipment transport, both up and down the mountain.

Full personal-private sherpas-

• For those who do not wish to carry their own rucksack, or prepare their own meals and drinks above basecamp, we offer full personal-private sherpas (or, you may wish to share one with another member). A personal sherpa climbs and camps with you at all times and carries approximately ten kilos/22 pounds of your personal belongings. He also helps with boiling water and making your meals on the mountain. The cost of hiring a personal-private sherpa is as follows.

• A Nepalese sherpa is available for: $6950 USD.

• High altitude "personal-equipment-carriage-service"-

• Divide the above prices by four if you would like to have approximately 10 kilos of your personal equipment carried up and down the mountain, between camps. You must provide a 48 hour notice while on the mountain. Although the price is less than the full personal-private sherpa, the "personal-equipment-carriage-service" does not involve the additional services provided by the full personal-private sherpa. This service is mainly to help get equipment up and down between camps. If you need more help than this, please consider hiring a full personal-private sherpa
  

* Our "basic climb" includes:

• Coordinator: Dan Mazur, relaxed, friendly and well organized person, and a highly-skilled professional with 18 years of Himalayan experience in getting people to the summit and back down with the highest attention to safety;
• All permit fees and liaison officers;
• Transport to base camp to/from Kathmandu, for you and personal equipment only (boots, ice axe, clothing, sleeping bag), including accommodation and meals on the road;
• Yak transport for personal equipment only (boots, ice axe, clothing, sleeping bag) from the road to and from advanced basecamp;
• A walkie-talkie radio is provided to stay linked-in with the leader of the full service expedition while on the mountain;
• Emergency equipment and supplies: medical oxygen, gamow bag, base camp medical kit, high-altitude medical kits, etcetera;
• Access to team fixed ropes and camps (sites, not tents), coordinated with our own "full-service" climbing team.
• Other necessary services and supplies (ie: extra yaks, trek services, basecamp meals, high altitude services and equipment), may be purchased and hired at minimal expense. We offer basic climb "packages" as noted below, or, we can furnish individual items such as tents, stoves, gas, food, etcetera.back to top
• Airport transfers from Kathamandu Tribhuvan International Airport to your hotel and back at the end of the expedition.
  
• Your trip includes 2 free Kathmandu hotel nights at the beginning and two free Kathmandu hotel nights at the end of the trip. You will be sharing. If you do not wish to share, you can pay an extra $20 for a single room (during any of the included 4 nights). If you want a room for extra nights, outside of the included 4 nights, the price will be $30 (single room). Price includes good delicious breakfast and mandatory 25% Nepal government tax and government service charge. Please bring extra cash to pay for your extra nights and / or your single supplement. We often stay at the comfortable three star Hotel Shakti. Its an excellent and classic hotel surrounded by green gardens and located in the heart of the city action near many delicious restaurants, the city's best mountain equipment shopping, and abundant nightlife all within a few minutes walk. The Shakti also offers lots of entertaining day trip (and night outing) options such as city tours, walking tours, rock climbing, mountain biking, wild game safaris, horse back riding, art classes, volunteer opportunities at orphanages, hospitals, schools, women's centres, bird watching, cooking classes, sport fishing, day peak climbing, herbal medicine seminars, day hikes, pottery classes, car tours, sightseeing, temple tours, henna handpainting classes, massage, swimming, beauty salon, motorbiking, yoga retreats, river rafting, painting classes, golf, language courses, kayaking, writing seminars, bungie jumping, religious worship, canyoning, hot tubs, health club, saunas, fitness center, spa treatments, Mount Kailash Treks, night clubs, meditation retreats, gourmet restaurants, cultural dance performances, wine tasting, pedicures and manicures, casino gambling, barber shop, discotheques, airport transfers, Scenic flights around Mount Everest and much much more. Meals in Kathmandu are at your expense.

Add the following services to the basic climb:

• Basecamp & ABC: kitchen, cooks, meals, dining, toilette, shower and sleeping tents: $2450 USD.
• High altitude leaders, sherpas, tents, equipment, walkie-talkies, food, stoves, fuel, etcetera: $2450 USD.

The team of our sherpas. PhotoToni Spiri. back to top

Please ask any questions regarding cost at info@summitclimb.com.

Mount Cho Oyu Expedition Climb Itinerary

Please click one of the links below to view that section of our Cho Oyu daily itinerary or scroll down. If you choose to do the Lhasa option, please note the slight itinerary alterations on days 3-7.

• Arriving in Kathmandu
• Driving to Basecamp
• Moving to Advance Basecamp
• Climbing Cho Oyu
• Summit Days
• Going Home

Note: This is a proposed schedule, which has been developed through previous trips. The actual itinerary of your trip can differ depending on such factors as weather and local conditions. For example, the trip may finish earlier than these dates, or we may need every single day of the schedule. Thank you for being patient and flexible when coming to a foreign country like Nepal and Tibet.

Arriving in Kathmandu:

1) Arrive in Kathmandu, 1350 metres, 4428 feet. Our staff will meet you at the airport. Go to hotel;

2) In Kathmandu - bring passport to Chinese embassy, for visa. Logistics, orientation, purchasing, packing, visit temples, city tour, shopping. Hotel and meals at members expense (minimal cost); back to top

3) Early morning drive to Rusuwaghadi at 2557 metres, 8389 feet. Hotel

Lhasa option: Fly from Kathmandu to Lhasa or if you are coming from a city in China, arrive in Lhasa on this day.

Driving to Basecamp:

4) Enter Tibet, drive to Gyirong at 2700 metres , 8900 feet, Hotel

Lhasa option: Rest in Lhasa, tour Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple, the most sacred building in all of Tibet.

5) Rest & acclimatization in Gyirong. Walk around the local hills. Hotel;

Lhasa option:  Drive to Shigatse. Rest and acclimate, tour the surrounding area. Visit the 15th century Tashilunpo Monastery, the largest active monastic institution in Tibet.

6) Drive to Tingri (4300 meters/14,100 feet). Hotel;

Lhasa option:Drive to Tingri. Rest and acclimate, tour the surrounding area.

7) Rest & acclimatization in Tingri. Explore surrounding hills and beautiful meadows. See the restoration of the historical Buddhist temples. Hotel;

8) Drive to Chinese Base, 4900 metres/16,000 feet, Camp;

9) Rest & acclimatization in Chinese base. Organize equipment and supplies. Camp; back to top

Moving to Advanced Basecamp:

10) Walk halfway to advanced base camp, camp at interim-camp at 5100 metres/16,800 feet;

11) Walk to advanced base camp at 5600 metres/18,500 feet. Rest

12) Rest & Acclimatization, training, and organization at advanced base camp; back to top

Climbing Cho Oyu:

13) Walk to camp 1 at 6200 metres/20,450 feet, return to advanced base camp.

14) Rest in advanced base camp;

15) Walk to camp 1, Sleep;

16) Explore the route to Camp 2 at 6700 metres/22,100 feet. Return to advanced base camp.

17) Rest in advanced base camp;

18) Rest in advanced base camp;

19) Walk to camp 1 and sleep there;

20) Walk to camp 2 and sleep there;

21) Explore the route to camp 3 at 7400 metres/24,400 feet. Return to advanced base camp. Rest;

22) Rest in advanced base camp;

23) Rest in advanced base camp;

24) Rest in advanced base camp;

25) Walk to camp 1 and sleep there;

26) Walk to camp 2 and sleep there;

27) Walk to camp 3 and sleep there; back to top

Summit Days:

28) Summit attempt;

29) Summit attempt;

30) Summit attempt;

31) Summit attempt;

32) Summit attempt, descend to camp 2; back to top

Going Home:

33) Descend to advanced base camp, pack and prepare to depart;

34) Yaks transport equipment, supplies and rubbish to Chinese base. Members walk down.

35) Early morning drive to Gyirong. Hotel.

36) Early morning drive to Kathmandu.

37) In Kathmandu. Final packing, celebration, saying goodbye to new friends.

38) Fly home. Thank you for joining our Cho Oyu Expedition

Thank you for joining our Cho Oyu Expeditionback to top

Mount Cho Oyu Expedition Climb Route Description

Please click one of the links below to view that section the route on Cho Oyu, or scroll down.

Introduction-

Cho-Oyu has only recently become a popular mountain to climb. It is now known to be one of the most accessible of the world’s fourteen 8,000 metre/26,500 feet mountains. This is because the ascent to the summit is short and direct, with a few small technical sections, less than 6 metres/20 feet high, climbed using fixed lines. Additionally, the mountain can be easily reached by four-wheel-drive vehicle, and the trail to Camp 1 at 6,400 metres/21,100 feet, is basically a steep walk on talus slopes, often done in sturdy leather trekking boots with good ankle support. This expedition to Cho-Oyu maximizes our previous successful ascents on the peak itself, plus many years of accumulated wisdom of the high Himalaya, a strong record of reaching 8,000 metre/26,500 feet summits, along with an intimate knowledge of the Tibetan and Chinese officials who regulate the permit system. We must also give credit to our highly experienced and hard-working leaders, sherpas and staff. back to top

Itinerary-

The proposed itinerary allows enough time for proper acclimatization, rest days, and several returns to base camp, where the kitchen and base camp staff can look after all of your needs, and quell your appetite. The weather at this time of year is normally quite good and stable. However, we all know the global weather is changing, and in case of storms, you will note the proposed itinerary includes extra days as well. In previous expeditions, half of those who reached the summit needed every single "extra" day.

Weather-

At low elevation, the temperatures can vary from 27°c to -7°c ( 80°f to 20°f). At higher elevations, the temperature can vary from 16°c to -23°c (60°f to -10°f). The wind is the most chilling factor, and can be quite variable, with everything from a flat calm, to hurricane force on the summit. There may be deep snow, heavy rains, mosquitoes in wet areas, blowing dust, burning heat, bright sunshine.
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The route follows the left hand skyline, barely visible in this photo. (Photo: J. Otto). Route map, showing the three camps, and the normal route. The fixed rope pitches are just below Camp 2. (Web Collection). The ice step seen from below (Roland Debare). The ice step is considered to be the crux of the climb, although it is quite easy with no vertical climbing and perhaps 5 metres/17 feet of "steep" ice-snow, which is ascended and descended on fixed lines.

Arriving in Kathmandu-

The trip begins in the ancient and colorful city of Kathmandu (you could also start in Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, or Chengdu and drive in from exotic Lhasa, and more and more of our members are doing just that). You stay in a comfortable, simple, clean hotel, and sample some of the tasty Nepalese, Tibetan and Western-Style cuisine. During your free days in Kathmandu, you shall finalize arrangements, including your group visa, and take some time out for trinket hunting, with potential visits to explore the 17^th century splendors of the Monkey Temple, the Durbar Square and old Kings Palace, as well as the ancient city of Patan. back to top

Optional Tour of Lhasa-

Some members wish to add an optional trip to Lhasa before reaching basecamp. If this includes you, most members will fly to Kathmandu first, then to Lhasa. Some people prefer to fly to Lhasa from another city in China and we can also assist you with these arrangements. For those flying from Kathmandu, you take a 1 hour and 45 minute flight in a jet over Mt. Everest and the spine of the Himalaya, arriving in Tibet's capital city. In the past, we have had some fabulous views out of the plane windows during this flight. 

At 3650 metres/12,000 feet of elevation, Lhasa was established around 600 AD on the banks of the Brahmaputra River. The heart of the city is centered around the Jokhang Temple, the most sacred building in all of Tibet. Our simple hotel is not too far from the famous Potale palace, Jokhang palace and the renowned Barkhor Market, where you can shop for exotic handicrafts and religious art from all across Tibet, China, and Buddhist India.

After flying to Lhasa, upon arrival you will rest for 2 nights and one day. It's important that you use the rest day to get acclimated to the high altitude.

Buddhist pilgrims from Amdo region circumambulating the Jokhang Temple in the Barkhor market. Photo: J. Otto.

It is a three day drive from Lhasa to basecamp. From Lhasa, you will set out in government cars across the Tibetan plateau to meet the rest of the team in Tingri, before reaching Cho Oyu basecamp.

The following morning after your day in Lhasa, you will drive to Shigatse at 3650 metres/12,000 feet, the second largest city in Tibet, with a famous Monastery. The road winds along the massive Brahmaputra River, past traditional warren-like Tibetan farm towns. In Shigatse, you can have a look around and try to visit the 15^th century Tashilunpo Monastery, the largest active monastic institution in Tibet. Monks in maroon robes seem to be everywhere, going about their daily chores, praying, and practicing ceremonial music performances.

After Shigatse, you will make the scenic drive to the ancient city of Lhaze (Lhatse), at 4000 metres/13,100 feet . At the western end of town is the small Changmoche Monastery, which you may visit while there. You can see interesting views of the surrounding Tibetan plateaus and hills.

From Lhaze, it is another scenic drive to the town of Tingri at 4,342 meters/14,200 feet, where you will meet up with the rest of the team and continue towards Cho Oyu basecamp. back to top

A Tibetan farmer brings his goods to market on the road near Lhaze. (Photo D.L. Mazur)

Early in the morning you set out in a bus for the last Nepal town of Kodari at 1,770 meters/5,800 feet. If you are concerned about the altitude and have purchased Diamox (acetylzolamide), which is inexpensively available with no doctor's prescription in Kathmandu, this might be the time to begin taking it. For more information about Diamox, please click here . You clear Nepalese customs and immigration, then hire local porters and vehicles to carry your bags across the Bota Kosi River on the Friendship Bridge, to Zhangmu, the gateway town in Tibet. Upon entering Tibet, the clocks immediately go forward by 2 ¼ hours. Your liaison officer will meet you in Zhangmu. After clearing Tibetan customs and immigration, a Chinese bus takes you up the windy road through the rolling hills to Nyalam town at 3,750 meters/12,400 feet, and a basic "hotel". The smaller towns in Tibet are generally simple and rustic places, and this one is no exception. The topography here is quite interesting in that you are perched in the transitional zone where the Tibetan plateau rams into the Himalaya, then drops into the forested valleys and jungles of Nepal, and finally out into the Gangetic plain of the Terai and India. You stay over one extra day and night in Nyalam, to help adjust to the altitude. During your rest day in Nyalam, you might wish to hang out in the Tashi Amdo teashop, and enjoy a variety of pleasant treks on the hillsides, as well as explore some interesting small Buddhist gompas (temples). back to top

Yaks taking us to ABC at 5600 metres/18,480 feet (Roland DeBare). Walter walking through the moraine to camp 1 at 6400 metres/21,120 feet. You can normally do this part of the climb in a good sturdy pair of trekking shoes (DL Mazur). Paul hanging out in front of his tent at camp 1 at 6400 metres/21,120 feet (we provide a personal basecamp-advanced basecamp tent for each member, so you don't have to share). Dan from Colorado and Ron from Washington enjoying the sun at advanced basecamp at 5600 metres/18,480 feet. (Roland DeBare).

The following morning, after what for many is a relatively sleep-free night, you drive the 44 kilometers to Cho Oyu base camp at around 4900 metres/16,000 feet. The drive follows a dirt road along the Ra Chu Valley and has spectacular views of the Himalaya. Chinese base camp is located just below the Jabula glacier, also known as the Kyetrag or Gyabrag glacier (romanisations of Tibetan have not been finalized). You will rest for a day in Chinese base, to allow for packing and acclimatizing. back to top

Moving to Advanced Basecamp-

You then spend two days moving up to the "advanced basecamp" at 5,600 metres/18,500 feet, which is actually the true base camp for our climb. From here, you will complete your climb of Cho Oyu, not returning to Chinese base until your expedition is finished.

Climbing Cho Oyu-

Cho Oyu is basically a 10 to 50 degree mostly snow slope, with a few tiny pitches of steep rock, snow, and ice. The highest technical section is an "ice/snow-step" just six metres/20 feet high. These sections are 100 percent climbed on fixed lines, with the highest degree of safety. Camp 1 is located in a saddle at 6,400 meters/21,100 feet, at the base of the north-west ridge. The trail to Camp 1 crosses a flattish glacier, than a hill with loose scree and stone sometimes with snow. It is often referred to as the: "horrible hill" and is nearly always accomplished in sturdy trekking shoes, with good ankle support. back to top

Camp 1 in a saddle on the ridge at 6400 metres/21,120 feet. You can usually walk to camp 1 in just a sturdy pair of leather trekking boots with good ankle support. (DL Mazur). Our team of Sherpas and climbers moving from Camp 1 up to Camp 2 at 7000 metres/23,100 feet (Arnold Coster). Andy Sloan, Matt Ward, and Nick Williams (Sussex, Birmingham, and London) at camp 2 (7000 metres/23,100 feet) on Cho Oyu, September, 2005 (Photo by Phil Crampton from Texas and Nottingham). Camp 3 (our highest camp) at 7450 metres/24,585 feet. The peaks in the distance include the nearly 8000 metre Gyachung Kang. (DL Mazur).

High Camps-

The Northwest ridge opens onto the northwest face, and there is one easy 6 metre high technical fixed ice/snow step, then Camp 2 is placed just above a sloped section at 7,000 meters/23,100 feet. Camp 3 is located on the northwest ridge-face at 7,450 meters/24,600 feet. You shall attempt the summit from Camp 3. back to top

The most difficult part is the 10 metre/ 33 foot ice step at 6600 metres/21,120 feet, between camp 1 and 2. Here Tim Boelter from St. Paul and Phil Crampton from Nottigham and Houston and John Arnold from Alberta approach it on strong nylon ropes we fixed (Photo: Dan Mazur). Ben from Colorado and Thierry from Switzerland are ascending on solid anchors (Tunc Findik). A climber from a Chinese team ascending the ice step (Andy Sloan).

Summit Day-

On summit day, you climb through a few small-easy rock steps (4 metres high) and mixed snow to the wide summit plateau and make the long plateau traverse to the little bump that marks the summit, at 8,201 meters/27,000 feet. You know you are on the true summit when you see the inspiring views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Makalu, and the entire Khumbu valley. back to top

Maya Sherpa, the first Nepalese woman to reach the summit of Cho Oyu is a member of the SummitClimb team (Roland Debare). Dan and another one of our sturdy sherpas, Durga Tamang, on the summit, Mt Everest and Makalu in the background. We were lucky that we had very good weather with sunshine and little wind (T. Boelter and DL Mazur).

Going Home-

After packing up all of your equipment, supplies, and rubbish, you will make a short return trek and drive to Tingri, have a feast at the restaurant and stay in the hotel. The following morning, you are up early, and drive all the way down to Zhangmu, hire porters to carry everything over the Friendship Bridge, then catch a bus into Kathmandu, where you can enjoy a hot shower and a grand Nepalese western-style feast. In Kathmandu, you can have a day to relax, celebrate, tour the valley, write postcards, and do a bit more shopping, before heading home. We hope you had a safe, enjoyable, and successful adventure. Thanks for joining in! back to top

At our celebration upon return to Kathmandu. We had quite a welcome home party for the members and staff, who placed these silk scarves, known as "Kattas" around our necks, to honour us and wish us good luck in our return journey to our homes. Arnold, Maya, and Ryan, our leadership team. Roland, Caroline, and Jacques (Caroline and Jacques were married shortly afterward), the Belge and two French. back to top

Thank You for joining our Cho Oyu Expedition.

SummitClimb Mount Cho Oyu Climb Reviews, Testimonials, Complaints, and Comments

Please scroll down to read our Reviews

Here are Darren's comments:

After letting the dust settle and getting back into a routine here are my thoughts:

The Climb was great with no complaints. Stellar guide with the Sherpa and base camp team, Basecamp food was awesome too!...all top notch and best on the mountain.

Be well and thanks again...see you in a 2020 Everest attempt.

Thanks! Darren

Steven M. writes:  I will always remember Cho Oyu well as the greatest ever achievement. I returned last week from my 20th visit to Nepal. My heart is still there for an attempt at Everest. The SummitClimb leader's guidance and calm composure will always remain with me. Kind Regards, Steve M.

Here is what Stew says: A great climb, superb organisation and a fine leader. Thanks again!

Here is what Rasmus has to say:  A couple of weeks ago I arrived back home after a succesfull Cho Oyu expedition in Tibet. I used summitclimb's basic climb service with a basecamp and ABC add-on for my solo-ascent. I was happy with the services and how the summitclimb concept worked.

This expedition on Cho Oyu is a part of a bigger project, aiming to ascent Everest from the north in spring.

The project as a whole is covering 3 expeditions, where 2 of them are meant as preparation for Everest;

• Cho Oyu - already completed
• Manaslu - autumn
• Everest from north - spring

Because I liked the concept and services offered through summitclimb on my recent Cho Oyu climb, I'm considering to use you on both Manaslu and Everest as well. These expeditions will be with a basic climb setup with BC and ABC services as add-ons.
 
Best regards, Rasmus

Here is what Alan has to say:

Hope you're well along with the rest of the team - big hello to ang pasang sherpa and jangbu sherpa please.

From a feedback perspective I can't offer more than - believe it or not you were right I doubt if I am finished with climbing and will be looking to return and who knows I might have a crack at Everest North side if that's acceptable - so as you suggested please tag my hardware and keep it in your store room.

I've just finished reading ed visteurs book about climbing all 14 8000 m - very inspirational read and includes all the feelings and emotions I got on cho oyu and my return - you feel quite empty when you get home - it took a while to realise what we achieved and what a buzz it was. A great team!!

Also I don't think I ever thanked you for sorting me out with the antibiotics for my chest so thank you.

Hope you have a great Xmas and safe new year and I'll be in touch - I know Dave is keen on Everest too.

Best wishes, Alan

Here is what Steve says:

Wanted to give you a quick shout and tell you what a fantastic time I had in Tibet. I've been climbing all over the world for 20 years...you win some you lose some. It was truly an amazing experience. When you get home lets chat more, go skiing, and bring your family over for dinner...I look forward to planning our next climb in the Himalayas...I'm sold...you guys did a great job...your outfit is just my style. oh and somehow I flew home with the helmet you lent me. I will get it to you this winter. Talk to you soon...make sure you get home in one piece -Steve

Here is what Troy has to say:

Just want to again express thanks for everything. I enjoyed the Cho Oyu expedition. I'm glad I chose your company.

If you ever need anything please let me know.

Thanks, Troy

Glenn with view of Everest on summit of Cho Oyu. Jangbu Sherpa Photo. Andre Aaldering, Summit of Cho Oyu, 29 September. Hup Hup Team Holland. Allen Barclay Photo.

Here is what Dmitri our Cho Oyu member has to say: As regards the Shisha Pangma expedition,  I will certainly consider this mountain, amongst the other 8000- ers, for my future trips.

Thanks again for a great Tibetan experience this spring,

 

Dmitri on the summit 24 May. Dawa Lama Photo. Parachutist on the flight from camp 2. Mount Gyachung Kang in background. Dmitri Nichporov photo.

Here is what James has to say:

Regarding the trip to CHO OYU, I found this a thoroughly enjoyable experience and well planned. Thanks, James

Here is what Wayne says: 

Dear SummitClimb,

I've been meaning to drop you a note of thanks after Cho Oyu. That was a really great experience!  Wanted to compliment you and especially the leader for putting on a smooth trip. I know that comes from a lot of experience, planning and a high level of organization. You have a most excellent (and
entertaining) leader working for you. And it was reassuring to have the sherpas around. If anything went wrong I knew they would straighten it out.

It was nice having the support with everything taken care of so all I had to do was focus on getting myself up the mountain. We had an interesting group of climbers on the trip. Everyone got along perfectly which is not always the case. When I come back to the Himalayas it will definitely be with Summit Climb! Feel free to post this on your website. See you in the mountains!

- Wayne back to top

Wayne Herrick summit of Cho Oyu. Photo Tenji Sherpa. Cho Oyu cimbing route to summit seen from ABC. Dmitri Nichiporov photo.

"I enjoyed the trip to Cho Oyu. I felt that the leaders were all very effective and that they went above and beyond their duty to facilitate a successful expedition."

Here is what Krzysztof from Warsaw says:

"I very much enjoyed dealing with all the staff. The leader was very professional and helpful. The Leaders in training were also great and trustworthy guys. It is worth mentioning that the expedition is a good value for the price."  back to top

Yaks carry all of our equipment between basecamp at 4,800 metres/15,700 feet, and advanced basecamp at 5600 metres/18,400 feet. Cho Oyu is in the background..Climbers on the way to the ice step located between camps 1 & 2. This ice step is approximately 8 metres/25 feet high and reaches an angle of perhaps 70 degrees, but it is really more of a "snow step" and our sherpas cut large steps into the slope, as well as fixing a rope, so it is quite manageable.Photo David Lepagne

Here is what Vik from Seattle says:

"The leader was a fantastic climbing leader and I look forward to climbing with him again. The Sherpas and leaders in training were very helpful at taking us around Kathmandu to acquire last minute gear. The staff did a great job organizing the hotels in Kathmandu.

Here is what Mor says:

"I had a very good trip, I have nothing but good words about the organization and staff. I especially want to mention Arnold as a quite good and team organizer. I have no doubt I would not have succeeded in the climb if it weren't for him."

Here is what Neil, summiter, says about Cho Oyu:

"Reaching the summit was a fantastic feeling - and made even better by a swift descent to ABC knowing that I would not have to climb the scree hill on the way to Camp 1 again (you will get to know that hill very well during the expedition!). Back in basecamp there were celebrations to be had in ABC and yet another brilliant cake from the cook tent!! back to top

All in all, the Summitclimb expedition was a great experience - so much so that we are heading to Everest north side with them in the spring. Everyone at SummitClimb's enthusiasm, the attention to detail and most importantly the feel that the expeditions are put together with people who enjoy climbing and mountains and the people who work and climb there make Summitclimb a great choice.

Cho Oyu is one hell of a mountain. The feeling as you come up over the summit plateau and Everest pops into view beyond is amazing! Oh and when you see Everest clearly - stop climbing - you are on the summit!

Looking down on camp 2 from camp 3 at 7,500 metres/24,600 feet. In this photo it is possible to see the advanced basecamp, located in the centre of the photo, at 5,600 metres/18,400 feet. In the upper right of the photo, the largest visible mountain is Shishapangma, the lowest of the world's 8,000 metre/26,000 peaks. For more about our Shishapangma expedition.  Photo David LepagneClockwise from upper left:Johan Frankelius (Sweden) reached the summit with our team of Sherpas in September of 2005. He has also climbed Ama Dablam with our team and took this black and white photo with a self timer. Tim Boelter climbing the headwall to Camp 3 at 7,500 metres/24,600 feet. Doug Cote from Colorado on the summit in September of 2005 (The photographer was Herve Coron from Paris). Tunc Findik (Turkey) on the summit in September 2005. He has also climbed Lhotse with SummitClimb (Thierry Auberson, Switzerland). Andy Sloan, Matt Ward, and Nick Williams (Sussex, Birmingham, and London) at camp 2 (7000 metres/23,100 feet) September, 2005 (Photo by Phil Crampton from Texas and Nottingham).

Here is what Arnold, climber of Cho Oyu says:

• "The western leaders are good.
• Each member has their own private basecamp tent.
• The food is good, with the cooks being skillful and friendly.
• Basecamp is a comfortable place to relax.
• The sherpas are excellent, strong and helpful.
• Cho Oyu is a do-able 8000 metre peak.
• Compared with other 8000 metre peaks, this is a short trip.
• Within the team, members are very free to climb at their own speed, supported by sherpas and leaders.
• Cho Oyu is a nice test if you are thinking of Everest.
• The team members are friendly.
• Tibet is special.
• The cost for Cho Oyu is inexpensive compared to other 8000 metre peaks.
• SummitClimb is very experienced." back to top

John doing Ice training in Base camp. Photo John & Debbie. The winds are coming! Lenticular cloud over Cho Oyu when we knew we’d be sitting in ABC longer. Photo John Martersteck.

Here is what Rick W, climber of Cho Oyu says:

I thought the trip was great. The team selection was great and I really enjoyed everyone.  I thought the info we received pre-climb was very good and the suggestions for conditioning were right on.  The sherpas were really amazing people and I enjoyed all of them . The food was very good. Info for the trip during the climb was good. I am sure I will be back in the spring to maybe again in the fall.   My trip back to Kathmandu came off without a hitch.  Everyone was very helpful and things went smoothly.  The translator for CTMA was very kind and the people at the border were great.

If you would like to contact our previous members, please send an email to info@summitclimb.com

We take our member's feedback and testimonials seriously. These help us to refine and make our Cho Oyu expeditions a successful, safe, and enjoyable experience for our future teams.

Mount Cho Oyu Expedition Climb Leadership & Staff

Organization: During this full-service expedition, you will benefit from the organization provided by Dan Mazur. He is a relaxed, friendly and well organized person, and a highly-skilled professional with years of experience in getting people to the summit and back down with the highest attention to safety. He has been leading and organizing successful and safe overland, trekking, and mountaineering expeditions for over 20 years, to Tibet, Nepal, Tadjikistan, Pakistan, India, China, Africa, and North America. For more about Dan, please "click" on the Leadership link above.

Sherpas: We hire Sherpas and high altitude porters in a support capacity, and now have 23 of these very experienced, friendly, strong, helpful, and loyal people on our staff, including some of Nepal and Tibet's best climbers and some of Nepal's only women Sherpas. Some of our Sherpas have been to the summit of Cho Oyu more than 5 times. One of our lady sherpas just became the first Nepalese woman to reach the summit. Many of our sherpas have personally assisted foreign climbers to the summits of more than ten of the highest peaks in the Himalaya, and Cho Oyu as many as five times.

Note: We strive to provide one group sherpa for each 3-4 members. The group sherpa's duty is to carry group equipment such as tents, rope, food, and gas up and down the mountain. Group sherpas help to setup and take down camps. They are also there to try to assist in any rescues, so the other members may not have to give up their summit attempt to rescue a sick member. They may not be available to climb with members and in some instances, you may be called upon to help carry group equipment and help with group work. If you need more sherpa assistance, we encourage you to hire a personal sherpa.

For a minimal expense, we can also provide personal sherpas and climbing-guides to individual members who wish to have their own private sherpa or personal climbing-guide. We now encourage members to hire a 1/4 of a sherpa, to help with high altitude equipment transport, both up and down the mountain. For more information about hiring a personal sherpa, please click here to learn more.

Our awesome Tibetan Sherpa team at Cho Oyu ABC at 5600 metres with Tunc (pronounced "toonch"). He is a strong friendly climber from Ankara. Here is what SummitClimb leader Phil Crampton has to say about the photo: "The names are from left to right: Wangdu (from Lhatze, Tibet), Tsering Dorje (Nyalam), Tashi Tsering (Shigatse), Tunc Findik (Turkey) and Aden (Shegar). Tunc has climbed Lhotse , Pumori, Broad Peak, Cho Oyu, Everest from Tibet and guides on Elbrus. All the Tibetan climbers came from the Tibetan Mountain School in Lhasa and have climbed Everest from Tibet at least once with Tashi making the summit three times. SummitClimb have been supporting the school since day one.

Staff: Our staff, working together as "Everest Parivar Expeditions, Pvt. Ltd." in our busy agency office in Kathmandu is led by the experienced and influential Mr. Murari Sharma. They are hospitality experts and have, for the last 21 years, been arranging overland tours, safaris, raft trips, treks, mountain climbs, trek support staff, cooks, peak climbing permits, satellite phone permits, video and film-making permits, translators, liaison officers, climbing Sherpas, oxygen, helicopter flights, air tickets, equipment purchase/hire, storage, import/export, shipping, customs clearance, transport bookings, advance hotel bookings, visas, repatriations, rescues, and permits.

Our staff in Kathmandu are available to assist you 24 hours per day, seven days per week. It does not matter which day nor at what time you arrive or depart Kathmandu, they will meet your flight, take you to the hotel, help you find essential things like money changing, shopping, arrange tours of the city, etcetera. 

Top row from Left: Murari K. Sharma - Everest Parivar Exp. Pvt. Ltd(MD), Arnold Coster - Expedition Leader, Jangbu Sherpa - Climbing Sherpa, Pemba Sherpa - High Altitude Kitchen Boy, Dorjee Lama - High Altitude Kitchen Boy, Tempa Sherpa - Basecamp Kitchen Boy, Krishna Rana Marag - Trekking Guide, Deha K Shrestha - Manager. Bottom row from left; Jens Vogel, Kandu Sherpa - Lady Trekking Guide, Cho-Wang Sherpa - Friend, Maya Sherpa - Lady Climbing Sherpa.

Our leaders, staff, and sherpas look forward to serving you on our expeditions to form a successful team and create a rewarding experience.

Mount Cho Oyu Expedition Climb - Your Experience & Training

Please "click" one of the links below to go directly to that information or scroll down.

• Team member Experience
• Fitness and Health
• Training Prior to the Expedition
• Training During the Expedition

Team Member Experience:

You should have previously climbed on a high mountain (such as Ama Dablam or Lhakpa Ri / North Col ).

Our goal is to work together as a team so that all members reach the top safely. We do not expect you to be expert (although some members are) but, nor are we a climbing school (although we do conduct one or two days of training at the beginning of each expedition, please see below). If you need fundamental technical training, and snow and ice experience, we urge you to participate in our Glacier School held each spring and autumn. Members need to have experience in being part of a team, working toward a common goal, and be ready to work with the group and be a good "team-player".

Our leaders and our team-climbing-sherpas are there to ensure (for our full-service members) you make it up to the summit and back down safely. However, this is not a guided expedition (although you could hire your own personal guide, sherpas , etcetera), and team members are expected to be able to care for themselves in a winter-camping and climbing environment. Although Cho-Oyu is considered to be the world's most accessible 8000 metre peak, there are hazards present, and members must have experience in roped rock and ice climbing techniques (to protect from falling down the mountain or into crevasses), and have winter-condition climbing experience in the greater ranges of the world, including placing and retrieving anchors, belaying, abseiling, glacier rescue and avalanche awareness. It is also required that all members will have knowledge of altitude sickness, frostbite, and the recognition of their symptoms, prevention, and treatment. When traveling above ABC, all members must climb with another team member or Sherpa at all times.

We welcome you to join our expedition as an individual and most of our members do. We plan to assemble our team members into groups so you should not have to climb alone, although occasionally it may happen. By the way, we are unable to accommodate 'soloists' who are not willing to climb together with other team members or sherpas from our team. The main expectation is that members will be prepared to climb with a team member or sherpa above basecamp if possible. This practice ensures that the entire team has a fun, successful, and safe time on the mountain. back to top

Fitness and Health:

To participate in this expedition you must be a very fit and active winter-walker-climber in good health. Prior to joining our group, please see your doctor and obtain the necessary permission and advice, as well as medications for travel in extremes of altitude, and also for exotic locales.

Note: You can purchase all necessary medicines inexpensively with no doctor's prescription in Kathmandu. Please make sure you have physically trained yourself very thoroughly before joining this climb of the sixth highest peak in the world. For a list of the medications we recommend you purchase, please click here . We look forward to climbing together with you! back to top

Training Prior to the Expedition:

• Firstly, you should always consult your doctor before starting a rigorous exercise plan.
• In the beginning, to see how you handle the training, and to avoid muscle strains that could slow your training down, you may wish to use shorter more frequent but less taxing workouts, and take more rest. After you get "up to speed" as it were, you could increase the rigour. Older climbers and walkers please take note of the latter. Also remember that swimming is an excellent form of training because it does not put stress upon your joints. Thank you.
• In order to train well for your trip you should work toward excercising 3 to 4 times a week for between 40 minutes and an hour and a half each time. You should expect to work hard, and try to keep your heartrate quite high and your breathing quite heavy.
• Adequate rest and a well balanced diet are also essential to avoid injury and illness before the expedition. You should sleep at least 8 hours per night, and eat 3 nutritious meals a day. Don't forget that you will perspire when you train, so try to drink at least 4 litres/quarts of water a day.
• You may wish to engage the services of a personal trainer, who could help you to fine tune your fitness to a higher level while minimizing strain and maximising your potential in ways you might not have imagined. Personal trainers can also be a great motivator, as you and the trainer have your weekly session, thus you will feel an incentive to complete your planned fitness programme for that week.
• Utilising both gym equipment and the great outdoors will provide a more balanced exercise programme. You should try to accomplish at least half of your workouts outside. This could include walking and running (On stairs and hills too) and cycling, but above all should be fun! Hillwalking and climbing with a pack weighing 5-10 Kilos/10-20 pounds is essential. If you don't have hills, why not go for stairs, bleachers, viewing stands, stadiums, even the stairways in tall buildings? Don't forget to spend time directly working the muscles of the legs, back and shoulders, and remember that your own body weight can be just as effective as weights, or machines.
• About 6 weeks before the expedition departure date, you may wish to do 1 full day each week of hill walking, climbing or an equivalent, with a light rucksack. On that day, you would want to eventually work toward six-eight hours of continuous walking or climbing up and down hill, with 4 to 6 separate ten minute breaks and a 1/2 to 1 hour lunch break midway through.
• To minimize the chance of injuring yourself, consider starting with a half day and then if you do well, increase to 2/3, then eventually to a full day, once a week.
• We want you to arrive for your expedition in top shape, so please take plenty of rest and do not over-do it.
• Hint: when carrying a rucksack while descending, walking, or climbing down-hill, try carrying a bit less in your rucksack in order to save your knees. Many trainers advise carrying water bottles up the hill then emptying them at the top so your rucksack is lightened for the trip down. back to top

Training During the Expedition:

back to top

We hope that you will arrive for your Cho Oyu Expedition in good health, both mentally and physically prepared, so we can work together as a team and have a successful expedition.

Mount Cho Oyu Climb - Personal & Team Equipment

Below is a detailed list of equipment you need to bring for Cho Oyu and at the bottom is a description of team equipment that we bring for you. (Click Link below to go directly to that section of the personal equipment list or just scroll down):

• Climbing
• Upper Body
• Hands
• Head
• Lower Body
• Feet
• Sleeping
• Rucksack
• Personal Hygiene
• Medical
• Personal Food
• Practical
• Oxygen
• Group Equipment

Please go to our personal & team equipment section of the "Cho Oyu Questions" for additional information and detailed discussion of the equipment lists below.

Where should I purchase my equipment?

Please "click here" to view our list of recommendations on where to purchase kit from our Cho Oyu Frequently Asked Questions.

Climbing-

• Climbing harness;
• 5 metres / 15 feet of 6mm climber's accessory cord.
• Figure 8/Abseil belay device;
• 1 large mitten sized ascender (most members use the large petzl) and arm length leash;
• 2 locking carabiners, 1 large and 1 small;
• 4 regular carabiners;
• Ice axe w/leash;
• Crampons - must fit boots perfectly. Steel crampons with anti-balling (anti-bot) plates are the best;
• Optional; Adjustable trekking poles; back to top
  

Upper Body-

• 2 cotton t-shirts;
• 1 polypropylene t-shirt;
• 2 long sleeve polypropylene shirts, lightweight;
• 1 polar fleece pullovers, medium weight;
• 1 polar fleece jacket.
• Gore-Tex jacket with hood, waterproof and breathable;
• Lightweight down jacket for those chilly days in basecamp;
• For high altitude use, 1 very warm goose-down (duvet) jacket with hood, you may prefer a down/duvet suit; back to top
• Umbrella (optional);
  

Hands-

• 1 pr. lightweight poly-liner gloves. These will be worn when tying knots, but not inside your mitts;
• 1 pair mittens, consists of 1 Gore-tex over mitt matched with the very warm polar fleece mitt liner (For more about high altitude mitts, please click here).

Head-

• Helmet;
• Warm hat wool or synthetic that covers your ears;
• Balaclava;
• Face mask;
• Ballcap or brimmed suncap;
• Glacier sunglasses with side shields (you can purchase these inexpensively in Kathmandu, including prescription sunglasses, which can be made for $20, it might take a week or two);
• 1 pair ski goggles (Optional) with light and dark lens;
• Headlamp with extra batteries and bulbs;
• Bandana or head scarf, also useful for dusty conditions. back to top

Lower Body-

• Cotton underwear briefs;
• 1 pair walking shorts;
• 1 pair walking trousers for trekking and around camp;
• 2 pair lightweight thermal bottoms;
• 1 pair medium or expedition weight thermal bottoms;
• 1 pair polar fleece trousers;
• 1 pair Gore-Tex trousers, salopettes, or bibs. Waterproof/breathable with full side zips;
• 1 pr. Goose-down (duvet) trousers , salopettes or bibs. You may prefer a down (duvet) suit.
  

Your clothing should be kept dry using waterproof stuff sacks, bin-liners, or large plastic bags. back to top

Feet-

• 1 pair One-Sport Millet Everest boots or or similar design(plastic climbing boots are not warm enough, even with over-boots or over-gaiters);
• 1 pair sturdy leather walking boots with good ankle support (we mean leather trekking, not climbing boots) for the walk to advanced basecamp and to camp 1;
• 1 pair trainers, running shoes and/or sandals for Kathmandu and in camp;
• 1 pair down booties (optional);
• 2 pair med-heavy poly or wool socks;
• 2- pair of liner socks. Polypropylene or wool;
• 2 pair lightweight trekking socks, poly or wool;
• vapour barrier liner socks or plastic bread-bags;
• Cotton socks for in town.

• For high altitude, 1 down (duvet) sleeping bag (rated to – 20 Centigrade or -0 Fahrenheit). In the high camp, you can sleep in your down (duvet) clothing inside your sleeping bag;
• 1 additional sleeping bag for basecamp (good to -10 degrees C or 10 degrees F);
• At least 3 closed cell foam kari-mats for use in basecamp and high altitude, We do not recommend inflatable mats, as we have never seen one not puncture. You can buy these non inflatable mats very inexpensively in Kathmandu. Why carry foam mats around the world, when you can purchase them inexpensively in Kathmandu?

Rucksack and Travel Bags-

• 1 medium rucksack (50-70 litres / 3000-4500 cubic inches, can be used for airplane carry);
• Waterproof rucksack cover (optional);
  
• 2 large (120 L / 7500 cubic inch) duffle kit bags for clothing and equipment. Must be durable for use on pack animals;
• Small padlocks for duffel kit bags. back to top

Personal Hygiene-

• female or male hygiene supplies;
• 2 tubes lip sun cream, 1 large tube skin sun cream (min.factor 15);
• anti-mosquito cream;
• 1 toothpaste/brush;
• 1 bar soap or hand sanitizer gel/1 small towel;
• hand wipes. back to top

Medical-

Medications are inexpensive and readily available in Kathmandu with no Doctor`s prescription:

• small personal first-aid kit. (Simple and Light) Aspirin, first-aid tape, plasters (band-aids), personal medications, etc. The leaders will have extensive first-aid kits, so leave anything extra behind. Please let your leader know about any medical issues before the climb;
• 1 skin blister repair kit;
• 1 small bottle anti-diarrhea pills;
• 1 small bottle anti-headache pills;
• 1 small bottle cough and/or cold medicine;
• 1 small bottle anti-altitude sickness pills: Diamox, Acetylzolamide. For more about this medication, please review the information in our Cho Oyu Questions .
• 1 small bottle stomach antibiotic: Ciprofloxacin, etc.;
• Do not bring sleeping pills. They are a respiratory depressant;
• 1 small bottle of water purification tablets or water filter;
• 1 set earplugs;
• extra prescription glasses, contact lens supplies. Contact lens wearers, WARNING: your contact lenses might not work well on the mountain, please carry glasses at all times in case of emergency. A new pair could be quickly made in Kathmandu, Lhasa, or Kashgar for just $25. Please order upon arrival if you are interested. back to top

Personal Food-

On the mountain we supply plenty of food for you to cook 3 hot meals each day. This food will consist of soup, local cheese & sausage, biscuits, dried noodles, potatoes, rice, porridge, butter, dried and tinned vegetables, fruit, meats, and fish, tea with milk and sugar, powdered juice drink, and drinking chocolate. Our sherpas will be carrying this food to the higher camps.

Our skillful cooks prepare 3 delicious hot meals and plenty of drinks each day in basecamp and advanced basecamp.

• We ask each member to bring their own imported daily snack and energy foods. We also ask members to bring 3 dehydrated meals (freeze-dried dinners) for their summit attempt. We do not provide cold “snack” food such as chocolate or "energy-bars". We ask that you bring or buy your own "snack" or daily cold energy food, 2-5 kilos is a good amount. A growing variety of imported foods such as European and American cheeses, chocolates, biscuits, cookies, nuts, and locally made power-bars are now available in Kathmandu, at realistic prices. However, imported power bars, GU, re-hydration drinks, dehydrated food, "freeze-dried meals", imported cheese and sausage are not available. If you want these items, you must bring them from your home country. Many of our members, especially Britons, Europeans, and Australians with tiny baggage allowances, now purchase their daily snacks in Kathmandu. Our schedule in Kathmandu allows plenty of time for shopping.

Practical- back to top

• 1 small roll of repair tape, 1 sewing repair kit;
• 1 cigarette lighter, 1 small box matches;
• 1 compass or GPS;
• 1 battery powered alarm clock/watch;
• 1 camera and film, or digital camera with extra cards and extra batteries;
• nylon stuff sacks For food and gear storage, large Ziplocs are useful also;
• 3 Water bottles (1 litre) wide-mouth Nalgene (1 is a pee bottle);
• 1 plastic cup and spoon;
• 1 small folding knife;
• binoculars (optional);
• 4 large, waterproof, disposable rubbish sacks;
• passport, 2 extra passport photos, flight ticket, flight itinerary;
• separate photocopies of passport and relevant visa pages, proof of insurance;
• dollars, pounds or euros cash for purchasing Nepalese visa at Kathmandu airport, Tibet visa, for paying for restaurants and hotels, for gratuities, snacks, and to purchase your own drinks and gifts. Cho Oyu members are requested to bring at least $1000 cash with them to Tibet.
• credit cards, Bank/ATM/Cash machine cards for use for withdrawing funds from cash machines (bring a photocopy of your cards), traveler's checks, etc.;
• 1 bathing suit/swimming costume (you never know);
• basecamp entertainment. It is good to bring additional items which you have found to be useful on previous expeditions. For example: paperback books, playing cards, ipod mp3 player, short-wave radio, game boys, musical instruments, ear plugs, lots of batteries, etc.;
• travel clothes for basecamp and in town.
• Please be sure and bring your patience and try to keep an open, relaxed, positive and friendly attitude as travelling in this part of the world may be very different than what you are used to, but things always seem to fall into place at the last moment. Thank you.

This is not an exhaustive list. Please submit other equipment concerns and suggestions. Thank you. back to top

Oxygen:

You should consider whether or not you wish to use supplemental oxygen. About half of our Cho Oyu team members do. Its not like Everest where oxygen is absolutely necessary, but some Cho-Oyu climbers like it because it gives them a little extra edge of "insurance" that they will be feeling as well as possible when resting in the high camp and on summit day, both climbing up to the summit and on descent. In addition, supplemental oxygen usage has been shown to markedly reduce the incidence of frostbite. Our sherpas will try to help you carry the oxygen, and three four-litre bottles should be more than enough, and you also need the mask, hoses, and regulator. Or, you can have the full set of three bottles, which includes mask-regulator-hoses (as well as carriage up to the high camps by our sherpas). All of the equipment is guaranteed to work well together, and it is easy to use, with simple threaded and snap-on fittings which require no tools. We have a 30% buy back policy bottles on unused oxygen, and masks, hoses, and regulators in good condition. For more information about Oxygen, please click here.

Note: You may have to carry some or all of your own oxygen on summit day, as well as up and down the mountain. If possible, the group sherpas will help stock the high camps, as well as share in carrying extra bottles during summit attempts. If you are concerned you might not be able to carry your own oxygen, you may wish to hire a personal sherpa. back to top

Group Equipment:

We provide a plethora of top-quality, and time-tested equipment, group gear, and supplies, including: rope, ice, rock, and snow anchor protection; basecamp, advanced basecamp and altitude tents; cookers, fuel, high-altitude food, walkie-talkie radios, bamboo marker wands, etcetera. We now provide an individual tent for each member in basecamp, so you do not have to share. We also have a shower and toilet tent for Basecamp. Please see the group EQUIPMENT link, in the menu bars above to study what we bring for your use and safety.back to top

Mount Cho Oyu Climbing Expedition Questions Section

• A) How do I join and prepare for this trip?
  • Is this a guided trip?Open in a new window
    We are friendly and highly experienced expedition leaders, climbers, trekkers and organizers, with a 17+ year track record of building high-quality, safe, friendly and fun climbing & trekking teams and succesfully placing our team members on the summit, helping them achieve their goals, and getting home safely. Our leaders and our top team of sherpas are not licensed guides, but some of the most qualified Himalayan mountain specialists available. We are there to assist the entire group. This is a team effort. Our leaders and sherpas are there to help all members safely and successfully climb within their abilities; including an equal chance at the summit for everyone in the team. They will try to do everything they can to help you, but it is your responsibility to have the skills, strength, equipment, etcetera to do this climb. If you are unsure, you may wish to hire a personal sherpa.
     
    All of our expeditions include group sherpas for the team. If you need more personal attention, we suggest you hire one of our excellent personal sherpas .
    
  • How shall I join the team? Request information and application materials.Open in a new window
    Please fill out our online request information form . Please be sure and tell us which expeditions you are interested in and mention your experience, qualifications, etcetera . Please send us your email, postal address, and telephone number (which will remain absolutely confidential, we never share your addresses, phone numbers, or any personal details).
     
    Complete the international or US application form.
     
    Firstly, carefully read all of the associated information here on the website, ask questions and discuss it with us, print out your application from this website, then complete, sign, and post the application forms, and additional required documents immediately. Include your 10 percent refundable deposit, passport photocopy, 2 passport size photos (name printed on reverse), proof of insurance, and other required documents such as flight itinerary (may be sent now or follow later).
     
    Here is a checklist of what we need to have in your file at least two months before the trip begins. We encourage you to send an electronic scan of all of the below documents, please be sure they are signed. Thank you:
    
    [ ] Completed Payment. Please restate payments you made and what those payments were for, ie full vs basic, sherpas, oxygen, etc.
    [ ] Make your Oxygen order (if any) crystal clear at this time, number of bottles, masks, payment, etc.
    [ ] Make your Sherpa order (if any) crystal clear at this time, personal sherpa, quarter sherpa, payment, etc.
    [ ] Trip Registration Form (part of 4 page form),
    [ ] Signed Participant Release and Acknowledgement of Risk (part of 4 page form),
    [ ] Signed Terms and Conditions of Booking (part of 4 page form),
    [ ] Signed Medical Form (part of 4 page form),
    [ ] 1 Passport sized photo, which is a simple, very clear picture of your face, sent as an email scan. (We simply require a picture of your face against a white background. You can take it yourself for free with your own digital camera or smart phone),
    [ ] Exact photocopy of passport identification pages,
    [ ] Exact photocopy of complete flight itinerary,
    [ ] Proof of mountain rescue and repatriation insurance,
    [ ] Proof of travel, accident, and repatriation insurance (cancellation insurance is advised).
    
    Please do let us know what further questions you may have about the registration process, or anything else for that matter. Thank you.
    
  • How shall I organize my visa?Open in a new window

    Your Nepal visa is conveniently purchased by you upon arrival at the Kathmandu airport. It is not necessary to purchase a Nepalese visa prior to landing in Nepal. In 2008, the cost of a 60 day visa was $40 USD. We recommend getting a 60 day double-entry Nepal visa upon arrival at the airport in Kathmandu instead of the normal single entry visa. When reentering Nepal upon your return from Tibet at the end of the trip you won't have to purchase a new visa.  Please bring cash and 2 extra passport-sized photos (extra photos are necessary to obtain the visa in the airport).

    Because the expedition is in Tibet, we provide special support to you in Kathmandu in organizing your Tibet-China visa. Be ready to pay up to $220 USD (US citizens) and $135 USD (non-US citizens) for your Tibetan visa. It may be cheaper, but we will tell you and provide a receipt. Thank you.

  • What will the weather and temperature be like?Open in a new window
    At low elevation, the temperatures can vary from 27°c to -7°c ( 80°f to 20°f). At higher elevations, the temperature can vary from 16°c to -23°c (60°f to -10°f). The wind is the most chilling factor, and can be quite variable, with everything from a flat calm, to hurricane force on the summit. There may be deep snow, heavy rains, mosquitoes in wet areas, blowing dust, burning heat, bright sunshine.
  • How shall I pay?Open in a new window

    We accept credit card, cheque, electronic bank transfer, cash, traveler's cheque, etcetera. You may post us cheques, pay in cash on arrival (initial payment required), send a bank wire, etcetera.

    If you wish to make a bank to bank transfer, please request our bank details via email.

    If you wish, we are able to take your credit card details and charge your card.

    In that case, please send:

    Type of card: Visa, Amex, Mastercard, Discover;
    • Card number;
    • Expiration date;
    • Card security code: 3 digits on back of Visa, 4 on front of Amex;
    • Name as it appears on the card;
    • Billing address for the card;
    • Email address;
    • Telephone number.
      

    Please send these details to us via email to info@SummitClimb.com (perhaps safer to divide this information into two emails) or via phone or post when you are ready to pay.

    When sending your details, would you please include the name of  the trip, month and year of the trip, and amount you wish to pay, ie: "refundable deposit" or "full-payment", etcetera. Thank you.

    Here are our phone details:

    • UK phone: +44 (0) 7810375400 (evenings are best)
    • USA phone: +1 360.570.0715
    • Skype: SummitClimb

    In case you wish to use paypal, our paypal address is info@SummitClimb.com .
    

    Our postal addresses are:

    • 30 Downfield Lodge, Downfield Road, Clifton Bristol BS8 2TQ, ENGLAND
    OR:
    • POB 123
    • Lakebay, WA
    • 98351 USA
    Please send us any questions and comments you may have about the payment process or anything else. Thank you very much and welcome to our team.
  • When must I decide?Open in a new window
    Please post your 10% refundable deposit now, to reserve your membership in our team. If you decide not to go, we send your money back, subject to our refund policy . Complete your payment two months prior to departure, unless you make special arrangements with us.
  • What if I decide to cancel my membership?Open in a new window
    If you decide to cancel your membership, your payment will be refunded according to the refund policy contained in the registration forms. We urge you to purchase cancellation insurance whenever possible. We are able to hold your payment with no penalty, if you decide to go on another trip at a later date.
  • Is there a chance this trip will be cancelled?Open in a new window
    Only in the rarest of circumstances has a trip ever been cancelled. If we decide to cancel the trip, 100 percent of your payment shall be returned.
  • Which vaccinations and immunizations will I need?Open in a new window

    Many medical precautions are advised, including vaccinations. Please see your local tropical/travel medicine clinic, physician, or general practitioner. There are also numerous immunization resources on the internet, and one of the best is from Kathmandu's famous CIWEC Clinic:

    http://ciwec-clinic.com/ 

    Note: You can purchase all necessary medicines inexpensively with no doctor's prescription in Kathmandu, but we recommend you obtain the vaccinations in your home country.

  • What sort of training should I pursue if I join the expedition?Open in a new window
    Firstly, you should always consult your doctor before starting a rigorous exercise plan.
    • In the beginning, to see how you handle the training, and to avoid muscle strains that could slow your training down, you may wish to use shorter more frequent but less taxing workouts, and take more rest. After you get "up to speed" as it were, you could increase the rigour. Older climbers and walkers please take note of the latter. Also remember that swimming is an excellent form of training because it does not put stress upon your joints. Thank you.
    • In order to train well for your trip you should work toward excercising 3 to 4 times a week for between 40 minutes and an hour and a half each time. You should expect to work hard, and try to keep your heartrate quite high and your breathing quite heavy.
    • Adequate rest and a well balanced diet are also essential to avoid injury and illness before the expedition. You should sleep at least 8 hours per night, and eat 3 nutritious meals a day. Don't forget that you will perspire when you train, so try to drink at least 4 litres/quarts of water a day.
    • You may wish to engage the services of a personal trainer, who could help you to fine tune your fitness to a higher level while minimizing strain and maximising your potential in ways you might not have imagined. Personal trainers can also be a great motivator, as you and the trainer have your weekly session, thus you will feel an incentive to complete your planned fitness programme for that week.
    • Please allow us to introduce you to our friend Ben Palmer. Ben is nice person and an avid climber, on rock, ice, in Scotland, the Alps and the Himalaya. Ben is uniquely qualified as a personal trainer, with four years experience as a Premier Global Level III Personal Trainer (The highest qualification available).
    • For more information on how to train for the expedition or for a detailed exercise regime please email Ben: ben@benpalmerfitness.co.uk . Thank you very much.
    • Utilising both gym equipment and the great outdoors will provide a more balanced exercise programme. You should try to accomplish at least half of your workouts outside. This could include walking and running (On stairs and hills too) and cycling, but above all should be fun! Hillwalking and climbing with a pack weighing 5-10 Kilos/10-20 pounds is essential. If you don't have hills, why not go for stairs, bleachers, viewing stands, stadiums, even the stairways in tall buildings? Don't forget to spend time directly working the muscles of the legs, back and shoulders, and remember that your own body weight can be just as effective as weights, or machines.
    • About 6 weeks before the expedition departure date, you may wish to do 1 full day each week of hill walking, climbing or an equivalent, with a light rucksack. On that day, you would want to eventually work toward six-eight hours of continuous walking or climbing up and down hill, with 4 to 6 separate ten minute breaks and a 1/2 to 1 hour lunch break midway through.
    • To minimize the chance of injuring yourself, consider starting with a half day and then if you do well, increase to 2/3, then eventually to a full day, once a week.
    • We want you to arrive for your expedition in top shape, so please take plenty of rest and do not over-do it.
    • Hint: when carrying a rucksack while descending, walking, or climbing down-hill, try carrying a bit less in your rucksack in order to save your knees. Many trainers advise carrying water bottles up the hill then emptying them at the top so your rucksack is lightened for the trip down.
  • Where should I purchase my equipment?Open in a new window
    We help you buy and rent inexpensive mountain climbing, trekking, hiking, and walking gear, equipment, clothing, boots, shoes for sale, purchase and hire at affordable, cheap, low prices. 
    • We recommend that you shop carefully and frugally for your clothing and climbing equipment. Below we have listed some of the least expensive shops we know about in Kathmandu, UK, Seattle, Canada, Chamonix, and Hong Kong. If you hear of any others, we would like to know about them, as we wish to tell our members where they can purchase equipment affordably.
      
    • Kathmandu has a wide variety of inexpensive used and competitively priced equipment, boots, shoes, and clothing; In over 50 well-stocked mountaineering and trekking shops. We recommend you purchase your Millet Everest One-sport boots and crampons in Kathmandu, where a very wide selection is available for reasonable prices. We also recommend you purchase your down/duvet jacket, trousers and suit there as well, again for some of the best selection and prices to be found anywhere. Also, be sure to purchase your closed cell kari-mat foam mattresses in Kathmandu. Why bring duffle bags of foam mats on your international flight? Please send us an email to request a Kathmandu price list. If you need a pair of high altitude mitts, we don't recommend Kathmandu, but rather suggest you check out mittens by Wild Country or Outdoor Research (the OR Alti has been popular with our Cho Oyu, Everest, and Lhotse summitters). For prices at Kathmandu shops, please "click here" . For information about using your credit, bank, cash, ATM card in Nepal & Tibet, please "click here" . For more information about how much cash to bring for a Cho Oyu expedition, please "click here".
    • Below we have listed several inexpensive shops around the world. It may be best to telephone them directly with your questions, as they are very busy and do not always answer email enquiries in a timely manner. When you do contact them, always be sure to mention your name and the name of our company and expedition leaders to them, as we send them many customers and they often give our members substantial discounts. You may or may not choose to purchase the product from them, but it should give you a good idea of what the fair price for the equipment should be. We especially recommend Second Ascent in Seattle, as it has a very large selection of second hand, discontinued, and rental mountain climbing equipment and clothing.
    • One strategy our members often pursue is to visit Seattle for one of our Glacier Schools, and then during time set aside during the course, work together with our leaders to try-on, compare, and purchase and hire the equipment they need at one of the least expensive mountaineering shops in Seattle. It is rare to find such a good selection of equipment and clothing in one shop, but Seattle is known for its large glaciated peaks, and large community of mountaineers.

    Mount Everest Summiter's Shop - Kathmandu - (For hardwear like Millet Everest Onesport boots, plastic boots, trekking boots, ice axes, crampons, ascenders, helmets, and harnesses) E-mail: evecom@mos.com.np, Tel: (9771) 4468775 (Res), (9771) 4219404 (Shop), (977) 9841237504 (Mob)

    Shona's Shop - Kathmandu - (Manufactures down duvet clothing. Hundreds of their jackets, trousers, and suits have reached the summit of Everest) e-mail: shonasrentals@hotmail.com , phone: (9771) 4265120

    Everest Hardwear - Kathmandu - (Manufactures down duvet clothing. Hundreds of their jackets, trousers, and suits have reached the summit of Everest. A bit better quality than Shona's.) e-mail angsonam25@yahoo.com , tel (9771) 4230399, mobile (977) 98510 45706

    Peglers - UK

    www.peglers.co.uk, Tel: +44 (0) 1903 883375
    Pegler's have the largest selection of inexpensive clothing and equipment in the UK.

    Second Ascent - Seattle

    www.secondascent.com, Tel: +1 206 545 8810
    

    Check out their new online shopping store for used and discontinued equipment, clothing, and boots.

    
    

    Mountain Equipment Co-op - Canada
    http://www.mec.ca/, Tel: +1 888 847 0770
    

    MEC have the largest selection of inexpensive clothing and equipment in the Canada.

    Snell Sports - Chamonix
    
    Tel. : + 33 4 50 53 02 17, email: snell@cham3s.com

    Decathlon - France

    

    http://www.decathlon.fr/FR/index.html

     

     

    Au Vieux Campeur - France

    

     

    www.au-vieux-campeur.fr

     

     

    Chamonix Alpine Equipment - Hong Kong

    
    www.hongkongclimbing.com/chamonix/chamonix.htm
    Tel: +852 2388 3626, +852 2374 0924

    Everestgear.com - Online

    

      www.everestgear.com 

     

  • What sort of contact will I have with the team before the trip?Open in a new window
    We send out a newsletter with all of the logistics for your arrival in Nepal approximately one month prior to the expedition. At this point, we usually share your email address with the other team members, so you may meet one another.
  • May I bring my friends, family, colleagues, and clients with me on this trip?Open in a new window

    Because there are a group of you, you can benefit from our group discounts:

    2-3 persons receive a five percent discount. 4-5 persons receive a ten percent discount, and 6-8 members receive a 15 percent discount (we also provide discounts for doctors, nurses, and medical practitioners, returning members and combining trips). If you would be so kind as to send the email and postal addresses of the other person(s) in the group, we would be glad to send them the information and a colour card as well. Thanks.

    
    
  • May I bring a trekker(s) with me on the climb?Open in a new window
    It is a good idea to bring friends, family, colleagues, and clients along as trekkers. Please view the Cho Oyu basecamp trek to get an idea of costs and itinerary for your companion(s).
  • What is your refund policy?Open in a new window

    We have not canceled a trip before. If we decide to cancel the trip, 100 percent of your payment shall be returned.
    

    Due to the nature and heavy costs of government and operator permits, and the harsh "no-refund" policies of third-world tour operators and government mountaineering offices, We must adhere to a stringent refund policy. PARTICIPANTS ARE ADVISED TO PURCHASE TRIP CANCELLATION INSURANCE. Specific cancellation and refund policies may supersede those enumerated below. If you cancel your trip membership 60 or more days before scheduled departure, this will result in an 75% refund. 59-30 days before scheduled departure will result in a 50% refund. 29-14 days before scheduled departure will result in a 25% refund, 13 or less days before scheduled departure results in zero refund.
    

  • May I join this expedition as an individual?Open in a new window
    We encourage you to join us as an individual team member. Most of our members join as individuals, our team dynamics work well, and we are able to build successful and safe groups of people that enjoy climbing together.
• B) Who are the leaders, sherpas, and staff?
  • Who will be leading the expedition?Open in a new window
    The leader of your expedition is a very experienced and qualified British, European, or American leader.

    Note: Our leaders are not guides. They are there to coordinate the expedition and may or may not climb with you personally on the mountain. Our leaders will try to do everything they can to help you, but it is your responsibility to have the skills, strength, equipment, etcetera to do this climb. If you are unsure, you may wish to hire a personal sherpa.

    Please click here to view our Cho Oyu leadership page for more about our leader, organizer, sherpas, and staff.
    

  • How can I meet the leader(s) of the expedition?Open in a new window
    We encourage you to meet with the expedition leader(s) during our Lecture Tour . Each year our leaders tour the world and present slide and video lectures detailing their recent climbs in order to raise money for charities/non-profits, such as the MountEverestFoundation.org . Please enquire as to the possibility of hosting or attending such a presentation in your locale.

    In addition, we urge you to participate in our GLACIER SCHOOL held each spring and autumn, where you can meet and climb together with the leader(s).

  • Who will be organizing the expedition?Open in a new window
    Your expedition is organized by our British, European, American, Nepalese, Tibetan, and Chinese office personnel working on-the-ground together as well as in your home-country. For example, one of our lead organizers is the very experienced Jon Christian Otto, fluent Chinese speaker, Tibet and China expert, with ten years experience in Chinese Himalayan climbing. Jon is an excellent communicator, an international diplomat, extremely well organized, with superb attention to each and every detail. For more about organizers, leaders, sherpa, and staff for Cho Oyu, please "click" here .
  • Who are the staff of the expedition?Open in a new window
    Our very loyal and hard-working staff are made up of porters, yak-drivers, guides, basecamp managers, wait staff, kitchen assistants, cooks, high-altitude porters, high-altitude climbing-sherpas, bus, truck, and jeep drivers, local agents, tour-operators, and government liaison officers and ministry officials. For more about organizers, leaders, sherpa, and staff for Cho Oyu, please "click" here .
  • Will there be Sherpas?Open in a new window

    All of our full-service expeditions include sherpas for the group. We hire Sherpas and high altitude porters in a support capacity, and now have 23 of these very experienced, friendly, strong, helpful, and loyal people on our staff, including some of Nepal and Tibet's best climbers and some of Nepal's only women Sherpas. Some of our Sherpas have been to the summit of Cho Oyu more than 5 times. One of our lady sherpas just became the first Nepalese woman to reach the summit of Cho Oyu. Many of our sherpas have personally assisted foreign climbers to the summits of more than ten of the highest peaks in the Himalaya, and Cho Oyu as many as five times. 

    Note: We strive to provide one group sherpa for each 3-4 members. The group sherpa's duty is to help the members and to carry group equipment such as tents, rope, food, and gas up and down the mountain. Group sherpas help to setup and take down camps. They are also there to try to assist in any rescues, so the other members do not have to give up their summit attempt to rescue a sick member. Our group Sherpas will help you throughout the climb and they will also help you during the ascent up to the summit and back down. If you need more sherpa assistance, we encourage you to hire a personal sherpa.

    Is it possible to hire a sherpa to provide me a bit of extra help?

    We are offering two different sherpa services to provide a bit of extra help and greatly increase chances for a successful summit to our members.
    

    Full personal-private sherpas-

    For those who do not wish to carry their own rucksack, or prepare their own meals and drinks above basecamp, we offer full personal-private sherpas (or, you may wish to share one with another member). A personal sherpa climbs and camps with you at all times and carries approximately ten kilos/22 pounds of your personal belongings. He also helps with boiling water and making your meals on the mountain.
    
    • The cost of hiring a personal-private sherpa is: $6950 USD.

    High altitude "personal-equipment-carriage-service"-

    • Divide the above price by four if you would like to have approximately 10 kilos of your personal equipment carried up and down the mountain, between camps. You must provide a 48 hour notice while on the mountain. Although the price is less than the full personal-private sherpa, the "personal-equipment-carriage-service" does not involve the additional services provided by the full personal-private sherpa. This service is mainly to help get equipment up and down between camps. If you need more help than this, please consider hiring a full personal-private sherpa.

    If you are thinking about either option, please let us know so we can find a sherpa most suitable to your needs. We must know two months before the climb. Please feel free to ask us any questions about sherpas and about which of our two options may be most suited to your needs. Thank you.

    The above costs of hiring your own personal-private Sherpa include their equipment, food, accommodation, clothing, permits, visas, transport, and insurance. The above prices do not include oxygen (normally Sherpas do not use Oxygen on Cho Oyu), nor do they include gratuities, summit bonus, and tips. Please see our other questions about tipping and bringing gifts for sherpas .

  • Welcome mountain guides.Open in a new window
    If you are already a professional mountain guide, we are glad to offer you a 10% discount. We provide this on all trips to UIAGM, MLTB, AMGA, BMG, and all other certified climbing guides from every nation. Thank you for joining our team.
    
  • Employment, internships, and "Leader-In-Training" programme.Open in a new window

    Yes, we do offer discounts for "leaders-in-training". For those members who are aspiring leaders and/or mountain guides, and want to learn about what is involved in being an expedition leader, and are willing to arrive a few days before the expedition and stay a few days after the expedition, and help with logisitics and leadership before, during, and after the expedition, the "leader-in-training" position may be a desirable one. Many of our expedition leaders started in such a role, and progressed on to become full time leaders. Please view our new Leaders-In-Training Website.

  • Do I need to tip our staff and sherpas?Open in a new window

    It is customary that each expedition member will make a contribution toward staff gratuities. Our staff are extremely proud of their efforts, and receiving a gratuity is a matter of the utmost honour, a mark of recognition of a job well done. We will "pool" these tips together and then, as a group, we will vote on the distribution of the tips to the individual staff. This method has seemed to be the fairest and has worked very well in the past. Our staff of more than 23 Sherpas is an extremely loyal and hard working group. You will be duly impressed by their level of effort and reliability. The main reason our staff are consistently some of the hardest working people in town, on trek, and on the mountain, is that they know they can rely on the generosity of our members to consistently provide a good tip. Please be sure to keep up the tradition, for future team members, as you have benefited from the reliable generosity of team members who came before you. Thank you very much.

    There are two types of tips, the staff tip, and the summit-attempt bonus.

    The "staff tip" will be $250 USD per foreign climber. Expect to pay this tip no matter what.

    For the "summit-attempt bonus" a group Sherpa who helps you to climb above the high camp or up to the summit and back down, expect to pay $400 USD per sherpa. That amount of money may be split between the climbers in the summit party.

    If you have a personal Sherpa, your total tip will be more, to include both the "staff tip" of $250 USD plus a separate tip for your personal sherpa of approximately $200 USD if you DO NOT climb above the high camp or approximately $400+ USD  if you DO climb above the high camp or up to the summit.  We request you to bring this money with you to Tibet, in cash, and be ready to pay it there, as many of our staff are Tibetan and will not be returning to Kathmandu with us. Travelers cheques and credit cards may be of use in Kathmandu, but they will not work in Tibet.

  • May I bring clothing and equipment to give to the Sherpas as gifts?Open in a new window

    Please do. Clothing and equipment gifts are highly appreciated. Also, Sherpa children and wives and sisters and mothers and fathers and grandmothers and grandfathers need clothing and shoes too. Please remember that sherpas come in all shapes and sizes, from children to adults. Items that are very small or very large can be traded for items that fit. There are men and women Sherpas, and they may be tall, short, extra-large, large, medium or small. The clothing and equipment you bring will be collected from you at the end of each expedition, then stock-piled by the lead staff and handed out to the Sherpas at the beginning of each expedition. In this way, we can ensure that they will actually use it during the expedition and not sell it immediately.

    Here is a list of items that are needed broken into sections. Please click a link below to go directly to that list or scroll down.

    Clothing and shoes for the village and in town (men, women, and/or children)
    • Clothing and shoes for the mountain (men and women)
    • Climbing equipment (men and women)
    • Communications and electronics
    • Medical and educational
      

    Clothing and shoes for the village and in town (men, women, and/or children):

    • t-shirts;
    • cotton or wool or synthetic shirts and trousers;
      
    • fleece/pile/polar shirts and trousers;
    • thermal trousers or shirts;
      
    • waterproof clothing;
      
    • warm hats;
    • caps;
    • gloves;
      
    • under garments;
    • socks;
      
    • scarves;
    • bandanas;
    • boots;
      
    • shoes;
    • sandals;
      
    • dress-up clothes and shoes;
    • suits. back to top

    Clothing and shoes for the mountain (men and women):

    • thermal trousers or shirts;
    • cotton or wool or synthetic shirts and trousers;
    • gore-tex jackets and trousers and suits;
    • fleece/pile/polar shirts and trousers;
    • duvet/down jackets;
    • warm hats;
    • scarves;
    • bandanas;
    • socks;
    • mittens;
    • gloves;
    • duvet/down booties;
    • boots;
    • plastic or one-sport climbing boots;
    • rock shoes. back to top

    Climbing equipment (men and women):

    • harnesses;
    • slings;
    • webbing;
    • ascenders;
    • belay/abseil devices;
    • descenders;
    • carabiners;
    • ropes;
    • ice-axes and ice-tools;
    • pitons;
    • ice-screws;
    • rock protection;
    • cams;
    • helmets;
    • sunglasses;
    • goggles;
    • face masks/balaclavas;
    • day packs/sacks;
    • full-size rucksacks/backpacks;
    • kit/duffle/travel bags;
    • tents. back to top

    Communications and electronics:
    

    • GPS devices;
      
    • computers/laptops (at least a pentium 2 or newer is preferred);
      
    • old mobile phones (must use sim card);
    • old satellite phones;
      
    • walkie-talkies;
    • music playing devices;
      
    • watches. back to top

    Medical and educational:

    • cosmetics;
    • medical supplies;
    • medecines;
      
    • hygiene items;
    • books;
    • kids toys of educational value (reading, writing, mathematics, science, etcetera).
    Please submit any other ideas for gifts we may have overlooked to, info@summitclimb.com . back to top
• C) Who are the members?
  • What type of team members will be on the expedition?Open in a new window

    Members are men and women from around the world who enjoy touring, walking, climbing, camping, and being in the mountains with friends. Our youngest member was age 20, and our oldest 69 years of age. The average age is 36, with many members in their 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s. We have neither a lower nor an upper limit on group size.

    PLEASE NOTE: We seek out members who can bring to this expedition a friendly spirit of team-work, as high altitude climbing and trekking are all about cooperation and working together and getting on with your team-mates.

  • How can I meet the other members of the expedition?Open in a new window
    Quite often, during our lecture tours, we organize meets of our team-members. Please enquire as to the possibility of this in your area. Also, in our GLACIER SCHOOLS past, present, future, and prospective members are able to meet and climb together. Approximately one month prior to the expedition we send out a newsletter with all of the logistics for your arrival in Nepal. At this point, we usually share your email address with the other team members, so you may meet one another.
  • Who will I be climbing and camping with during the expedition?Open in a new window

    We have been told that our members and groups get along extremely well, and members are pleased to learn how enjoyable our expeditions are, and often say how pleasantly surprised they are by how well our team members and staff and leaders function together.

    In basecamp and advanced basecamp, WE PROVIDE YOUR OWN PERSONAL TENT, WHICH DOES NOT HAVE TO BE SHARED. Most members prefer a single room while in Kathmandu. Our trek-tents and high-altitude tents are based on sharing.

    On Cho Oyu, it is common to use fixed lines, where groups of as many as 5 people ascend and descend together. However, team members are individually clipped to the fixed line. Each night, the groups will camp in an established campsite where there are multiple expedition tents. Throughout the climbing days and camping nights, our leaders and Sherpas will be climbing and camping together with you to help set up tents and make sure you are staying healthy and safe and that things are going well.

    If you did not join together with your climbing partner (many members join as individuals), you will have ample opportunity, during the training, approach/trekking, and first expedition days to determine who you would prefer to climb with. Depending upon the variable speed with which everyone is acclimatizing, these groups and partnerships can form and recombine several times throughout our expedition, where the pace is slow and careful, and there is enough time for multiple summit attempts.

  • Will I be sharing a room or tent with anyone?Open in a new window
    In basecamp and advanced basecamp, WE PROVIDE YOUR OWN PERSONAL TENT, WHICH DOES NOT HAVE TO BE SHARED. Most members prefer a single room while in Kathmandu. Our trek-tents and high-altitude tents are based on sharing.
  • Can I earn a commission for referring my friends, colleagues, clients, or a group?Open in a new window

    We offer a 5% cash "finders-fee", paid to you for each of your friends and colleagues who become a member of our team.

    Often, someone is well-placed as a guide, lecturer, eminent community figure, travel agent or tour operator, etcetera. We are glad to offer increasing commissions based on multiple referrals to any of our various trips and classes in any calendar year:

    5% commission for the first 1,2, and 3 people who you refer;

    10% commission for the next 4-8 people you refer;

    15% for the next 9-15 people;

    20% for 16 or more.

  • Employment, internships, and "Leader-In-Training" programme.Open in a new window

    Yes, we do offer discounts for "leaders-in-training". For those members who are aspiring leaders and/or mountain guides, and want to learn about what is involved in being an expedition leader, and are willing to arrive a few days before the expedition and stay a few days after the expedition, and help with logisitics and leadership before, during, and after the expedition, the "leader-in-training" position may be a desirable one. Many of our expedition leaders started in such a role, and progressed on to become full time leaders. Please view our new Leaders-In-Training Website.

  • May I join this expedition as an individual?Open in a new window
    We encourage you to join us as an individual team member. Most of our members join as individuals, our team dynamics work well, and we are able to build successful and safe groups of people that enjoy climbing together.
  • May I bring my friends, family, colleagues, and clients with me on this trip?Open in a new window
    We offer a 5% discount for groups of 2 to 3, 10% for 4 to 8, 15% for 9 to 15, and 20% for 16 or more.
  • May I bring a trekker(s) with me on the climb?Open in a new window
    It is a good idea to bring friends, family, colleagues, and clients along as trekkers. Please view the Cho Oyu basecamp trek to get an idea of costs and itinerary for your companion(s).
  • Welcome mountain guides.Open in a new window
    If you are already a professional mountain guide, we are glad to offer you a 10% discount. We provide this on all trips to UIAGM, MLTB, AMGA, BMG, and all other certified climbing guides from every nation. Thank you for joining our team.
    
  • How large will the group be?Open in a new window
    The average group has probably been 8 people, with half of all expeditions having less, and half having more members. As we add members to our team, we hire more Sherpas to assist the group as a whole, bring additional supplies and equipment, and add additional leaders, assistant-leaders, and leaders-in-training.
  • What is the minimum number of members needed to run the expedition?Open in a new window
    The minimum number of members needed is 3, although sometimes we will still run an expedition with less than 3 people.
    
• D) What the cost includes.
  • What does the "Full-Service" price include?Open in a new window
    Leader: Cost includes a very experienced and qualified British, European, or American leader;
    
    • Organization: During this full-service expedition, you will benefit from the organization provided by Dan Mazur. He is a relaxed, friendly and well organized person, and a highly-skilled professional with years of experience in getting people to the summit and back down with the highest attention to safety. He has been leading and organizing successful and safe overland, trekking, and mountaineering expeditions for over 20 years, to Tibet, Nepal, Tadjikistan, Pakistan, India, China, Africa, and North America.
    • Climbing Sherpas for the group;
    • Personal-private Sherpas may be hired at extra expense;
    • Transport to basecamp to/from Kathmandu (bus/4-wheel drive), for you and equipment; lodge accommodation and meals on the road and on trek;
    • Yak transport of all equipment from the road to and from advanced basecamp;
    • Three meals per day and plenty of hot drinks on the road, on trek, in basecamp and advanced basecamp. Comfortable tables and chairs and dining tent;
    • Skillful basecamp and advanced basecamp cooks;
    • All mountain, basecamp and advanced basecamp food;
    • All permit fees, including peak climbing fees, and liaison officers;
    • Use of group gear and supplies: rope, ice, rock, and snow anchor protection; basecamp and altitude tents; cookers, fuel, high-altitude food, walkie-talkie radios, satellite telephone, etcetera;
    • Emergency equipment and supplies: medical oxygen, gamow bag, basecamp medical kit, high-altitude medical kits, etcetera;
    • In addition to our top-quality high-altitude tents, we now provide an individual tent (1 tent per person) in basecamp.
  • What is not included in the "Full Service" price?Open in a new window

    Hotel :Your trip includes 2 free Kathmandu hotel nights at the beginning and two free Kathmandu hotel nights at the end of the trip but not food.  For more information, please click here .

    We recommend the following tip for our group staff: Cho Oyu: $200. Expect to pay the above tip no matter what.
    
    Tipping Climbing Sherpas on our peak climbs: for a group Sherpa (Tibetan or Nepalese), who helps you to climb above the high camp or up to the summit and back down, expect to pay a summit-attempt bonus as follows: Cho Oyu Summit Attempt Bonus: $200, Summit Success: $400.
    
    Car or Jeep hiring for Tibet members: Please note that your amount of cash you need to bring is about $1000 more than our Nepal trips because it costs that much to hire a jeep to take you out early if you wish to leave before the scheduled end date of the itinerary.
    

    Also not included are: International flights, personal clothing and equipment (sleeping bag, boots, ice axe, etc.), personal sherpas, climbing oxygen, visas, vaccinations, health, travel and rescue insurance, snack-energy food, gratuities, drinks on the road or in town, expenses of a personal nature, changes to the pre-planned itinerary (such as early departure), and expenses while traveling away from the group or leader. Not included are unexpected expenses, such as expenses due to emergencies, rescues, weather, political situations, transport delays, etc.

  • Why are the prices of these trips low?Open in a new window

    Our prices reflect our honesty, integrity, efficiency, and emphasis on providing a safe, high quality expedition for a fair price, as our company was founded 17 years ago by climbers for climbers, and we still have some of the original founders with us and strive to maintain these priorities. In addition, we have very long experience and deep connections with the mountaineering authorities in Nepal and Tibet, and we are fortunate to receive favourable prices and better treatment. Even though our prices are less, our approach reflects the best possible value for money and emphasizes effective team building within our own expedition, as well as good relations with everyone on the mountain.

    This is neither a luxury nor a 5-star expedition.  
    
    • We are dedicated to a philosophy of encouraging mountaineering by keeping costs to a minimum and welcome team members who are willing to share in achieving our objectives. All of our European, British, or US staff and leaders began their Himalayan climbing careers as paying team members. Thus, we never charge more for a trip than we would be willing to pay ourselves. We have excellent relations with the government authorities who regulate the world of mountain climbing permits, liaison officers, yak drivers, etcetera.
    • Additionally, our staff of more than 23 Sherpas are very long term, loyal, hard-working, and honest employees. We take good care of our staff and their families, and they work for a fair wage in return for steady employment. We help our Sherpa's families in many ways, and have been building schools and hospitals in their villages, and helping to protect their local environments for several years.
    • We have 1 hard-working group sherpa per each 3-4 members (if you would like more sherpas, please hire one of our excellent 'personal sherpas'.
    • Our leaders are hard working and friendly British, American, European, or Australian expedition-leaders. They are not licensed 'mountain-guides' who have taken an expensive six year course and exams.
    • Our methods are basic, simple, and proven over more than 50 Himalayan expeditions.
    • Our equipment is good, simple, sturdy, time-tested and has been used before. We re-use our equipment and re-hire our staff over many expeditions.
    • Our agents and local on-the-ground operators are long term employees and they provide services at a competitive cost, in return for fair compensation and our return business, year-after-year. 
    • Our food is well prepared, abundant, and nutritious, but we do not use expensive imported foods.
    • We neither print nor post expensive brochures.
• E) Details of the itinerary, route, and weather.
  • What are the details for the itinerary?Open in a new window
    For a detailed itinerary of the expedition, please "click here".
    
  • What are the details of the route?Open in a new window
    For a detailed description of the expedition route, please "click here" .
    
  • What will the weather and temperature be like?Open in a new window
    At low elevation, the temperatures can vary from 27°c to -7°c ( 80°f to 20°f). At higher elevations, the temperature can vary from 16°c to -23°c (60°f to -10°f). The wind is the most chilling factor, and can be quite variable, with everything from a flat calm, to hurricane force on the summit. There may be deep snow, heavy rains, mosquitoes in wet areas, blowing dust, burning heat, bright sunshine.
• F) What qualifications, experience, fitness, & training do I need?
  • What sort of experience should I have?Open in a new window

    Our goal is to work together as a team so that all members reach the top safely. We do not expect you to be expert (although some members are) but, nor are we a climbing school (although we do conduct one or two days of training at the beginning of each expedition).

    If you need fundamental technical training, and snow and ice experience, we urge you to participate in our GLACIER SCHOOL held each spring and autumn.

    Members need to have experience in being part of a team, working toward a common goal, and be ready to work with the group and be a good "team-player".

    Cho Oyu is basically a 10 to 50 degree mostly snow slope, with a few tiny pitches of steep rock, snow, and ice. The highest technical section is an "ice/snow-step" just six metres/20 feet high. These sections are 100 percent climbed on fixed lines, with the highest degree of safety.

    Our leaders and our team-climbing-sherpas are there to ensure (for our full-service members) you make it up to the summit and back down safely. However, this is not a guided expedition (although you could hire your own personal guide, sherpas , etcetera), and team members are expected to be able to care for themselves in a winter-camping and climbing environment. Although Cho-Oyu is considered to be the world's most accessible 8000 metre peak, there are hazards present, and members must have experience in roped rock and ice climbing techniques (to protect from falling down the mountain or into crevasses), and have winter-condition climbing experience in the greater ranges of the world, including placing and retrieving anchors, belaying, abseiling/rappelling, glacier rescue and avalanche awareness. It is also required that all members will have knowledge of altitude sickness, frostbite, and the recognition of their symptoms, prevention, and treatment.
    

    We welcome you to join our expedition as an individual and most of our members do. We plan to assemble our team members into groups so you should not have to climb alone, although occasionally it may happen. By the way, we are unable to accommodate 'soloists' who are not willing to climb together with other team members or sherpas from our team. The main expectation is that members will be prepared to climb with a team member or sherpa above basecamp if possible. This practice ensures that the entire team has a fun, successful, and safe time on the mountain.

    In addition, for Cho Oyu, you should have previously climbed on a high mountain (such as Ama Dablam or Lhakpa Ri / North Col ).

  • Where can I obtain the experience I need to qualify?Open in a new window
    We recommend that you begin with a look at our websites and literature, and read a book about mountain climbing, to familiarize yourself with the basics of ropes, anchors, clothing, etcetera ("Freedom of the Hills" is one such title).
    • You should attend a "climbing-class" at an "adventure-centre" or a "rock-gym" in your home town, where you can learn the basics of "how-to-tie-in", handle the rope and harness and carabiner and descender/abseil-rappel device, and see if you enjoy the thrill of safe climbing and cautious descending on a rope. Or, perhaps you can have a climbing-friend show you the basics.
    • We suggest you attend one of our leader's LECTURES to view videos and slides and listen to and discuss our previous expeditions, and learn about our teams, staff, see the equipment in action, study the routes, etcetera. Please visit our LECTURE site to view our upcoming lecture schedule.
    • Next, you may wish to join one of our Glacier-Schools, where you will be able to hire and purchase the necessary equipment inexpensively , if you do not have it already. You will have an opportunity to experience for yourself: snow-camping, ice-climbing, glacier-travel, crevasse-rescue, placing and retrieving anchors, rope-ascending, rope-descending, and summiting peaks of moderate altitude (4000 metres, 13,000 feet) in glacial conditions.
    • Now, if you are fit and healthy, you could be ready for a climb of a mid-size Himalayan peak such as Island Peak , Lakpa-Ri /North Col , Ama-Dablam , or Mustagata , where you can test your ability to handle altitude climbing, on an extended Himalayan expedition.
    • Finally, if you feel ready, you might want to try one of the world's fourteen highest "8000 metre peaks", such as Cho-Oyu.
    • If you enjoy Cho Oyu, then you can go on to climb Everest from Tibet or Everest from Nepal.
  • How healthy and fit do I need to be?Open in a new window

    To participate in this expedition you must be a very fit and active winter-walker and climber in good health. Make sure you have physically trained yourself very thoroughly before joining this climb.

    Prior to joining our group, please see your doctor and obtain the necessary permission and advice, as well as medications for travel in extremes of altitude, and also for exotic locales.
    

    Note: You can purchase all necessary medicines inexpensively with no doctor's prescription in Kathmandu. On our application form we ask you to inform of us your condition, previous illnesses, health and medical situations we should know about, what medications you are taking, etcetera. Please help us to be informed by being honest and fully truthful when you complete it. Thank you.

  • Is there an age limit?Open in a new window

    We encourage climbers of all ages to consider joining our team.

    The youngest summiter we have had on Cho Oyu was 26.

    The oldest summiter we have had was 69 years old. We notice that people who are older may need more rest, acclimatization, and a careful attention to nutrition and hydration, and they can certainly benefit from a personal sherpa if not at least a "quarter-share" sherpa . Any one of any age should gain from being helped by these hard-working stalwarts, and the older you are the more likely the benefit.

    We don’t want to sound pessimistic, rather we strive for realism, but there may be a certain debacle in encouraging climbers who are older. All of us, no matter what age, race, or gendre, can push ourselves beyond our limits and "hit the wall", become exhausted, etcetera. Let's face up to it, the "wall" might come up a bit more rapidly for those of us who are a bit older, than for the youngsters in our midst. Its important to be well trained physically and mentally, and know how to maintain one's health and stamina throughout the climb, whether its climbing up, preparing meals and drinks and filling water bottles in the camps, taking good care of oneself on summit day, or climbing safely back down the mountain. Sometimes its good to have an extra hand round, like a personal sherpa , who will carry the load and remain focused on you and your health, nutrition and hydration.

  • What sort of training will I need to pursue?Open in a new window
    Firstly, you should always consult your doctor before starting a rigorous exercise plan.
    • In the beginning, to see how you handle the training, and to avoid muscle strains that could slow your training down, you may wish to use shorter more frequent but less taxing workouts, and take more rest. After you get "up to speed" as it were, you could increase the rigour. Older climbers and walkers please take note of the latter. Also remember that swimming is an excellent form of training because it does not put stress upon your joints. Thank you.
    • In order to train well for your trip you should work toward excercising 3 to 4 times a week for between 40 minutes and an hour and a half each time. You should expect to work hard, and try to keep your heartrate quite high and your breathing quite heavy.
    • Adequate rest and a well balanced diet are also essential to avoid injury and illness before the expedition. You should sleep at least 8 hours per night, and eat 3 nutritious meals a day. Don't forget that you will perspire when you train, so try to drink at least 4 litres/quarts of water a day.
    • You may wish to engage the services of a personal trainer, who could help you to fine tune your fitness to a higher level while minimizing strain and maximising your potential in ways you might not have imagined. Personal trainers can also be a great motivator, as you and the trainer have your weekly session, thus you will feel an incentive to complete your planned fitness programme for that week.
    • Utilising both gym equipment and the great outdoors will provide a more balanced exercise programme. You should try to accomplish at least half of your workouts outside. This could include walking and running (On stairs and hills too) and cycling, but above all should be fun! Hillwalking and climbing with a pack weighing 5-10 Kilos/10-20 pounds is essential. If you don't have hills, why not go for stairs, bleachers, viewing stands, stadiums, even the stairways in tall buildings? Don't forget to spend time directly working the muscles of the legs, back and shoulders, and remember that your own body weight can be just as effective as weights, or machines.
    • About 6 weeks before the expedition departure date, you may wish to do 1 full day each week of hill walking, climbing or an equivalent, with a light rucksack. On that day, you would want to eventually work toward six-eight hours of continuous walking or climbing up and down hill, with 4 to 6 separate ten minute breaks and a 1/2 to 1 hour lunch break midway through.
    • To minimize the chance of injuring yourself, consider starting with a half day and then if you do well, increase to 2/3, then eventually to a full day, once a week.
    • We want you to arrive for your expedition in top shape, so please take plenty of rest and do not over-do it.
    • Hint: when carrying a rucksack while descending, walking, or climbing down-hill, try carrying a bit less in your rucksack in order to save your knees. Many trainers advise carrying water bottles up the hill then emptying them at the top so your rucksack is lightened for the trip down.
  • Will I participate in training during the expedition?Open in a new window
    Yes, upon arrival in Kathmandu, all members are required to participate in a day of training and orientation (unless you have made special arrangements). Upon reaching basecamp or advanced basecamp, ALL full-service and basic-climb members are again required to participate in one to two days of training (unless you have made special arrangements) in the areas of climbing techniques, glacier travel, rope fixing, ascending, descending, safety techniques, rappels (abseils), belaying, medical equipment and procedures, communications equipment, camping techniques and high-altitude cooking. For the expert and beginner alike, it is important to review these techniques in order to enhance skills, ensure safety-awareness, and learn to work together as a team. Please make sure you have studied the standard books, such as "Mountaineering, Freedom of the Hills", and are comfortable and familiar with the necessary climbing techniques, before joining our team. Thank you for being a well-prepared and safe team member!
  • Do you recommend a personal trainer?Open in a new window

    You may wish to engage the services of a personal trainer, who could help you to fine tune your fitness to a higher level while minimizing strain and maximising your potential in ways you might not have imagined. Personal trainers can also be a great motivator, as you and the trainer have your weekly session, thus you will feel an incentive to complete your planned fitness programme for that week.

  • Must I carry a heavy rucksack?Open in a new window
    Our expedition includes transport of all of your equipment from Kathmandu to basecamp or advanced basecamp, and returned to Kathmandu. While climbing on the mountain, we try not to ask our full-service members to carry heavy group equipment (although it is an option if you really want to), such as tents, rope, fuel, food, etcetera. We employ climbing sherpas, and high-altitude porters, to carry group equipment and supplies. For a minimal expense, we can also provide personal sherpas , and climbing-guides, to individual members who wish to have their own private sherpa or personal climbing-guide.
• G) Personal & team equipment and what I need to bring.
  • What personal equipment should I bring?Open in a new window

    We help you buy and rent inexpensive mountain climbing, trekking, hiking, and walking gear, equipment, clothing, boots, shoes for sale, purchase and hire at affordable, cheap, low prices.  
    

    Please see the Equipment link , to study what is needed. If you are not familiar with the necessary equipment, we suggest you attend one of our Glacier Schools , to learn about it and buy it affordably .

  • What sort of equipment will the organizers bring?Open in a new window
    Please see the climbing and mountaineering group EQUIPMENT link , to study what we bring for your use and safety.
  • Bringing equipment and supplies as checked luggage on my international flight.Open in a new window

    Most of our members carry their personal equipment and snack foods in their checked and carry-on luggage on their international flight.

    In Britain, Europe, Australia, and other parts of the world, your baggage allowance may be as low as: 23 kilos/50 pounds of checked baggage, plus a small carry-on bag of 15 kilos/33 pounds (don't show the counter staff this much carry-on luggage upon check-in), for a total of 40 kilos/88 pounds. First ring your airline and request their "sport baggage allowance". Many airlines allow it, and often provide this for golfers, bicyclists, surfers and skiers. Quite often they extend it to climbers. Some of our members have had good luck bringing a ski bag and filling it with climbing equipment. WARNING: They might not give the same allowance on the inbound portion. Be sure to check this and request it if not given, or you could incur high baggage charges when coming home. The documentation of this allowance may take the form of a letter from the baggage officer at the airlines, or the allowance may be printed on the ticket itself (the best form of documentation by far).

    If you are unable to attain a sport baggage allowance, obviously, those members coming from these countries will either be faced with wearing their climbing boots, helmet, duvet-clothing, etcetera onto the plane (this is normal procedure for many Australian, British, and European team-members), or paying excess baggage charges, or purchasing/hiring a portion of their equipment or daily snacks in Kathmandu, which is now becoming more and more of a viable option. If you chose to pay the airline's excess baggage charges, you might be faced with $20 per kilogram/2.2 pounds, of excess. Be sure to make full telephone and email inquiries before checking your bags at the airport.

    You may wish to investigate cargo shipping from your home country to Kathmandu.
    

    Those members flying from North America are currently allowed 2 checked bags weighing 50 pounds/23 kilos each, plus one small carry-on weighing 30 pounds/13 kilos, for a total allowance of 130 pounds, or 60 kilograms. Baggage allowances change frequently. Before departure, you must ring your airline to verify the exact amount.

    In North America it may be possible to pay an additional $120 per extra 70 pound/32 kilo bag, up to a total of ten or so extra bags, on flights bound for Nepal or China, but not for flights returning from there. However, be sure to ask about such "extra-bags" policies carefully before booking, and be sure to check with ALL of the airlines on your itinerary, as some of these airlines may try to "double-charge" you.

  • Where should I purchase my equipment?Open in a new window
    We help you buy and rent inexpensive mountain climbing, trekking, hiking, and walking gear, equipment, clothing, boots, shoes for sale, purchase and hire at affordable, cheap, low prices.
    
    • We recommend that you shop carefully and frugally for your clothing and climbing equipment. Below we have listed some of the least expensive shops we know about in Kathmandu, UK, Seattle, Canada, Chamonix, and Hong Kong. If you hear of any others, we would like to know about them, as we wish to tell our members where they can purchase equipment affordably.
      
    • Kathmandu has a wide variety of inexpensive used and competitively priced equipment, boots, shoes, and clothing; In over 50 well-stocked mountaineering and trekking shops. We recommend you purchase your Millet Everest One-sport boots and crampons in Kathmandu, where a very wide selection is available for reasonable prices. We also recommend you purchase your down/duvet jacket, trousers and suit there as well, again for some of the best selection and prices to be found anywhere. Also, be sure to purchase your closed cell kari-mat foam mattresses in Kathmandu. Why bring duffle bags of foam mats on your international flight? Please send us an email to request a Kathmandu price list. If you need a pair of high altitude mitts, we don't recommend Kathmandu, but rather suggest you check out mittens by Wild Country or Outdoor Research (the OR Alti has been popular with our Cho Oyu, Everest, and Lhotse summitters).
    • For prices at Kathmandu shops, please "click here" . For information about using your credit, bank, cash, ATM card in Nepal, please "click here" . For more information about how much cash to bring for an Cho Oyu expedition, please "click here" .
    • Below we have listed several inexpensive shops around the world. It may be best to telephone them directly with your questions, as they are very busy and do not always answer email enquiries in a timely manner. When you do contact them, always be sure to mention your name and the name of our company and expedition leaders to them, as we send them many customers and they often give our members substantial discounts. You may or may not choose to purchase the product from them, but it should give you a good idea of what the fair price for the equipment should be. We especially recommend Second Ascent in Seattle, as it has a very large selection of second hand, discontinued, and rental mountain climbing equipment and clothing.
    • One strategy our members often pursue is to visit Seattle for one of our Glacier Schools, and then during time set aside during the course, work together with our leaders to try-on, compare, and purchase and hire the equipment they need at one of the least expensive mountaineering shops in Seattle. It is rare to find such a good selection of equipment and clothing in one shop, but Seattle is known for its large glaciated peaks, and large community of mountaineers.

    Gauri Shankar Shop - Kathmandu - (For hardwear like Millet Everest Onesport boots, plastic boots, trekking boots, ice axes, crampons, ascenders, helmets, and harnesses and hiring ) - contact SummitClimb's Kathmandu offfice to check availability: info@summitclimb.com . Thank you very much

    Shona's Shop - Kathmandu - (Manufactures down duvet clothing. Hundreds of their jackets, trousers, and suits have reached the summit of Everest) e-mail: shonasrentals@hotmail.com , phone: (9771) 4265120

    Everest Hardwear - Kathmandu - (Manufactures down duvet clothing. Hundreds of their jackets, trousers, and suits have reached the summit of Everest. A bit better quality than Shona's.) e-mail angsonam25@yahoo.com , tel (9771) 4230399, mobile (977) 98510 45706

    Peglers - UK

    www.peglers.co.uk, Tel: +44 (0) 1903 883375
    Pegler's have the largest selection of inexpensive clothing and equipment in the UK.

    Second Ascent - Seattle

    www.secondascent.com, Tel: +1 206 545 8810
    

    Check out their new online shopping store for used and discontinued equipment, clothing, and boots.
    

    Mountain Equipment Co-op - Canada
    http://www.mec.ca/, Tel: +1 888 847 0770
    

    MEC have the largest selection of inexpensive clothing and equipment in the Canada.

    Snell Sports - Chamonix
    
    Tel. : + 33 4 50 53 02 17, email: snell@cham3s.com

    Decathlon - France

    

    http://www.decathlon.fr/FR/index.html

     

     

    Au Vieux Campeur - France

    

     

    www.au-vieux-campeur.fr

     

     

    Chamonix Alpine Equipment - Hong Kong

    
    www.hongkongclimbing.com/chamonix/chamonix.htm
    Tel: +852 2388 3626, +852 2374 0924

    Everestgear.com - Online

    

      www.everestgear.com

     

  • Do expedition members use oxygen for climbing?Open in a new window
    About half of our Cho Oyu team members use oxygen. Its not like Everest where Oxygen is absolutely necessary, but some Cho-Oyu climbers prefer it because it gives them a little extra edge of "insurance" that they will be feeling as well as possible when resting in the high camp and on summit day. In addition, supplemental oxygen usage has been shown to markedly reduce the incidence of frostbite.
    
    Our Sherpas will try to help you carry the oxygen, and a couple four-litre bottles should be more than enough, and you also need the mask, hoses, and regulator. We 100% guarantee our bottles and oxygen systems, and test them thoroughly with the mask/hose/regulator set-up. We have our own oxygen analysis instrumentation, and we are able to certify that the contents are 100% oxygen. Additionally, we are able to measure the volume of contents in the bottle. Our bottles/masks/hoses/regulators are 100 percent guaranteed and reliable. We always have spare parts and back up bottles, masks, regulators, and hoses.
    
    We have a 30% "buy-back" policy on unused oxygen, and masks, hoses, and regulators in good condition.
    Here are the costings:
    • A. High-altitude Cho-Oyu climbing oxygen set (mask, regulator, and 3 large Russian 4 litre bottles, guaranteed to be in proper working order and function perfectly together): We have a 30% "buy-back" policy on masks, regulators, and unused oxygen bottles in good condition. $2150 USD.
    We recommend the 3 bottle set for Cho Oyu.
    If purchased separately:
    • B. Mask + Hoses (guaranteed to be in proper working order and match the bottles and regulator perfectly): We have a 30% buy-back policy on masks and hoses in good condition. $285 USD.
    • C. Regulator for high-altitude oxygen bottle (guaranteed to be in proper working order and match the bottle and mask and hoses perfectly): We have a 30% buy-back policy on regulators in good condition. $485 USD.
    • D. One large Russian Oxygen 4 litre bottle for high-altitude climbing (guaranteed to be in proper working order and match the regulator and mask and hoses perfectly): We have a 30% discount buy-back policy on unused oxygen bottles. $510 USD each.
    • In an effort to reduce environmental pollution and encourage reuse and recycling, we now offer a $60, £30, €40 cash bonus for each empty oxygen cylinder you bring down to basecamp in working condition.
    • Note: You may have to carry some or all of your own oxygen on summit day, as well as up and down the mountain. If possible, the group sherpas will help stock the high camps, as well as share in carrying extra bottles during summit attempts. If you are concerned you might not be able to carry your own oxygen, you may wish to hire a personal sherpa.
    • Oxygen buy-back policy: We have a 30% discount buy-back policy on unused oxygen bottles, regulators in good condition, and masks and hoses in good condition. Refunds take 90 days to process from the pre-planned expedition date to process. 
  • How much cash should I bring?Open in a new window

    Your Nepal visa is conveniently purchased by you upon arrival at the Kathmandu airport. It is not necessary to purchase a Nepalese visa prior to landing in Nepal. The cost of a 90 day visa is approximately $100 USD & a 30 day visa costs approximately $60. Please bring cash and 2 extra passport-sized photos (extra photos are necessary to obtain the visa in the airport).
    
    For Tibet visa for your expedition or trek - We provide you special support in Kathmandu to organizing your Tibet-China visa. Be ready to pay up to $220 USD (US citizens) and $165 USD (non-US citizens) for your Tibetan visa. It may be cheaper, but we will tell you and provide a receipt. Thank you. Please Note: Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months fom the END of the expedition and contain at least 2 blank pages.
    
    Please also bring plenty of cash for tips + gratuities, for shopping, drinks, etcetera. You will be paying for your own hotel and meals in Kathmandu . There are good cash/atm machines and traveler's cheques will work, especially in Kathmandu. Members who don't bring enough cash are often found sitting on their hands in a dark and cold hotel room or tent while the rest of the team are out having fun enjoying the night life that is surprisingly exciting and even funny, the sometimes fun pubs and shopping.

    Cho Oyu members are requested to bring at least $1000 cash with them to Tibet.
    

    Because you are going to Tibet, also be sure to bring cash for your China-Tibet visa. Be ready to pay up to $220 USD (US citizens) and $135 USD (non-US citizens) for your Tibetan visa. You may encounter the occasionally very good inexpensive carpet and souvenir shopping that can be found in Tibet, at low prices where no credit cards and no traveler's cheques may be used. Those of you going to Tibet may wish to consider bringing only dollars or changing all of your currency into local currency in Zhangmu, upon crossing into Tibet from Nepal. There is a new cash machine in Zhangmu, hopefully it's still working.

    We request you to bring staff tip money with you to Tibet, in cash, and be ready to pay it there, as many of our staff are Tibetan and will not be returning to Kathmandu with us. Travelers cheques and credit cards may be of use in Kathmandu, but they will not work in Tibet. On Cho Oyu, there are two types of tips, the staff tip, and the summit-attempt bonus. The staff tip will be $250 USD per foreign climber. Expect to pay this tip no matter what. For a group Sherpa who helps you to climb above the high camp or up to the summit and back down, expect to pay $400 USD per sherpa. That amount of money may be split between the climbers in the summit party. If you have a personal Sherpa, your tip will be more, on the order of $400+ USD. You must also have $700 in cash available in case you leave early and need to hire personal transportation out.
  • Do you use fixed rope for this expedition?Open in a new window
    Rope is generally fixed from the ice-step below Camp 2 to the summit plateau. For more information regarding the Cho Oyu route, please "click here" .
  • How do I ship extra cargo from my home country?Open in a new window
    First ring your airline and request their "sport baggage allowance". Many airlines allow it, and often provide this for golfers, bicyclists, surfers and skiers. Quite often they extend it to climbers. Some of our members have had good luck bringing a ski bag and filling it with climbing equipment. Before arranging cargo shipping, ring your airline and explain what you are climbing/trekking and need to bring extra food/equipment, etcetera. Airlines often allow you to carry extra bags when you fly for a reduced charge, when you arrange it all in advance. The big advantage is that the bags should travel with you all of the time, don't have to be cleared through customs, etcetera. WARNING: They might not give the same allowance on the inbound portion. Be sure to check this and request it if not given, or you could incur high baggage charges when coming home. The documentation of this allowance may take the form of a letter from the baggage officer at the airlines, or the allowance may be printed on the ticket itself (the best form of documentation by far).
    
    If you do arrange cargo shipping, its not difficult but takes a little more time. Always put your name and expedition name on the first two lines, as this will clarify that you are personally using these items for climbing and they are not the property of our local agent, nor are they for resale in Kathmandu. Upon arrival in Kathmandu you will go to the Customs Hall (near the airport) in the morning and go through a one day process required to clear your cargo through Nepal Customs. So, if you are planning to ship cargo, be sure to arrive in Kathmandu on a weekday (M-F) before the scheduled beginning of our expedition, so you don't miss any critical team orientation meetings, etcetera. You may need to pay some fees to the Nepal Government at the time of pickup. Always be sure to speak to the government officer in-charge there, not a middleman from a freight forwarding company, as they will add on a lot of needless charges. If you have filled out the packing list with amounts stated minimally at point of origin, its mostly used equipment and personal food, and everything is for your personal use during the expedition only, and you say you will take all of it back to your country, your fees payed to the Nepal Government will be very small indeed.
    
    So:
    
    Your First and Last Name: ie: "John Doe"
    Cho Oyu International Expedition 2007
    Care of: Everest Parivar Expedition
    Inside Beijing Hotel Intl., Jyatha, Thamel
    Murari Sharma
    Jyatha Tole
    Kathmandu, Nepal
    
    tel: 4283382
    Mobile: 985102 3985
    
    You will have to request shipping times and charges from your local agent as we don't know the details from your country.
    
  • Will there be time to hire-rent-purchase my equipment, boots, and clothing in Kathmandu?Open in a new window

    We help you buy and rent inexpensive mountain climbing, trekking, hiking, and walking gear, equipment, clothing, boots, shoes for sale, purchase and hire at affordable, cheap, low prices.  
    

    Our planned schedule allows plenty of time for equipment shopping in Kathmandu, where there are so many shops that you will find almost everything you need.

    For prices at Kathmandu shops, please "click here" . For information about using your credit, bank, cash, ATM card in Nepal & Tibet, please "click here" . For more information about how much cash to bring for a Cho Oyu expedition, please "click here".
    

    Gauri Shankar Shop - Kathmandu - (For hardwear like Millet Everest Onesport boots, plastic boots, trekking boots, ice axes, crampons, ascenders, helmets, and harnesses and hiring ) - contact SummitClimb's Kathmandu offfice to check availability: info@summitclimb.com . Thank you very much
    
    For soft goods like down jackets trousers and suits, we have used two shops:
    
    A. Everest Hardwear shop in Thamel. e-mail angsonam25@yahoo.com , tel 4230399, mobile (977)98510 45706
    
    B. Shona's Shop in Thamel: e-mail: shonasrentals@hotmail.com , phone: 4265120

    Warm mittens are necessary for your expedition. Please don't frostbite your hands. We prefer mittens to gloves, as mittens are so much warmer. We are not sure who makes the best gloves. The warmest mittens come with a sturdy Goretex outer shell and a very warm polar fleece removable mitten liner.
    
    You won't need to wear any liner gloves inside these mitts (they already have their own integral liner) so fit is very important. In Kathmandu you can find good quality Black Diamond and Mountain Hardwear mittens.

  • How much are the prices for boots, clothing, shoes, mattresses, and climbing equipment in Kathmandu?Open in a new window

    We help you buy and rent inexpensive mountain climbing, trekking, hiking, and walking gear, equipment, clothing, boots, shoes for sale, purchase and hire at affordable, cheap, low prices.  
    

    Most equipment, boots, clothing, shoes, mattresses are available for purchase and hire in Kathmandu. We allow extra time for our leaders to check your equipment in Kathmandu. If you need additional items, we allow time for shopping and have staff and members to show you where the shops are.

    For information about using your credit, bank, cash, ATM card in Nepal, please "click here". For more information about how much cash to bring for an Ama Dablam expedition, please "click here".
     
    Please Click Here for Kathmandu equipment prices :

    Here is a partial list for those desiring to contact Nepalese manufacturers:
    
    Gauri Shankar Shop - Kathmandu - (For hardwear like Millet Everest Onesport boots, plastic boots, trekking boots, ice axes, crampons, ascenders, helmets, and harnesses and hiring ) - contact SummitClimb's Kathmandu offfice to check availability: info@summitclimb.com . Thank you very much
    
    For soft goods like down jackets trousers and suits, we have used two shops:
    
    A. Everest Hardwear shop in Thamel. e-mail angsonam25@yahoo.com , tel 4230399, mobile (977)98510 45706
    
    B. Shona's Shop in Thamel: e-mail: shonasrentals@hotmail.com , phone: 4265120
    
    There are so many shops in Kathmandu, you will find almost everything you need.

  • Can I use my credit, bank, cash, ATM card in Nepal and/or Tibet?Open in a new window

    In Nepal, using your bank, cash or atm card (as long as it's a Cirrus, Plus, or Visa), you can usually obtain rupees at a bank machine in Kathmandu. The machine will not give you dollars, or any other foreign currency. Sometimes, foreign cards dont work in Nepal. The most international bank is Standard and Chartered, and if you plan on using a credit card, you might ask your company to check if your card will work at S&C.
    
    In Tibet, there is a new cash machine in Zhangmu (just across the border from Nepal), hopefully it's still working. Those of you going to Tibet may wish to consider bringing only dollars or changing all of your currency into local currency in Zhangmu, upon crossing into Tibet from Nepal.

  • Do you provide secure facilities to store my excess baggage & valuables in Kathmandu?Open in a new window
    We provide secure facilities in Kathmandu in which to store your extra personal items such as luggage, extra money, credit cards, passports (those people going to Tibet need their passports), jewelry, expensive watches, etcetera. These facilities are kept locked, watched, and nothing has ever been lost.
  • Do I need to bring my own snack energy and dehydrated food?Open in a new window
    Our skillful cooks prepare 3 delicious hot meals and plenty of drinks each day in basecamp and advanced basecamp.
     
    On the mountain we supply plenty of food for you to cook 3 hot meals each day. This food will consist of soup, local cheese & sausage, biscuits, dried noodles, potatoes, rice, porridge, butter, dried and tinned vegetables, fruit, meats, and fish, tea with milk and sugar, powdered juice drink, and drinking chocolate. Our sherpas will be carrying this food to the higher camps.
     
    We ask each member to bring their own imported daily snack and energy foods. We also ask members to bring 3 dehydrated meals (freeze-dried dinners) for their summit attempt.
     
    We do not provide cold “snack” food such as chocolate or "energy-bars". We ask that you bring or buy your own "snack" or daily cold energy food, 2-5 kilos is a good amount. A growing variety of imported foods such as European and American cheeses, chocolates, biscuits, cookies, nuts, and locally made power-bars are now available in Kathmandu, at realistic prices. However, imported power bars, GU, re-hydration drinks, dehydrated food, "freeze-dried meals",  imported cheese and sausage are not available. If you want these items, you must bring them from your home country. Many of our members, especially Britons, Europeans, and Australians with tiny baggage allowances, now purchase their daily snacks in Kathmandu. Our schedule in Kathmandu allows plenty of time for shopping.
  • What medicines do I need to bring?Open in a new window
    Please visit the medical section of the Cho Oyu Personal & Team Equipment link to view a full list of the medicines we recommend you purchase inexpensively in Kathmandu, without a doctor's prescription, before departing for the mountain.
  • Should I plan to take Diamox, Acetylzolamide for this expedition?Open in a new window

    There is a difference of opinion. However, if you have not been to high altitude often, we suggest you consider trying Diamox. You may wish to start with one half of a tablet in Kathmandu to see how you react to the medication and if you have any side effects. During the approach to basecamp, as well as once we are on the mountain, we suggest you consider taking one to two tablets per day, depending upon your body weight, rate of ascent, and your reaction to the medication.

    We encourage members who are going to high-altitude for their first time to try Diamox. During our expedition, we can often tell which team members are using Diamox and which are not according to their level of activity vs. lethargy. Those trying Diamox are often seen laughing, playing cards, and throwing frisbees in basecamp, while those who are not are often seen hunched over their tea in the dining tent, holding their heads and grumbling about a headache. The non-users may also not be seen at all, as they are in their tent lying in their sleeping bag suffering a migraine-like headache.

    Whatever your opinion is, Diamox is a very vital part of any high altitude climbers medical kit, used in the prevention of mountain sickness, also known as high altitude sickness or acute mountain sickness (AMS). It's a very old drug, originally developed for cardiac patients in the 1930s. It is the most well known and tested of all of the high altitude drugs. It works well as a preventative medication, taken in advance of symptoms, proactively. It also works acutely in first-aid situations to reduce the severity of symptoms once high-altitude sickness ensues. Common dosage is a half tablet (tablets are 250mg) before AMS occurs, to see if any severe side effects occur. Common side effects include tingling, 'pins and needles' and excessive urination. If no severe side effects occur, it's common to take one 250 mg tablet per day. Up to 2 or even three tablets may be taken per day, depending upon body weight (smaller people need to take less, and larger people more). Be sure to drink enough water, as Diamox is a diuretic (increases urination and thus dehydration).

    Diamox increases your body's uptake of carbon dioxide through a ph change in the blood, so as an indirect reaction of your body, it causes you to breath (exhale) more to get rid of the extra CO2. The other mechanism your body uses to get rid of extra CO2 is to urinate more. Breathing more causes you not only to exhale more CO2, but also to take in more oxygen. Your body responds to all of this fresh new oxygen by making your red blood cell count increase. This is what you need to become acclimatized to the higher altitude, more red blood cells to carry more oxygen. Whether you take Diamox or not, this red blood cell increase happens naturally as you slowly ascend to higher altitudes. Diamox just causes the red blood cells to multiply a little faster because you are breathing a bit more. Some people say you can do this yourself without taking Diamox, just hyperventilate all of the time!

  • What about mittens?Open in a new window
    Warm mittens are necessary for Cho Oyu. Please don't frostbite your hands. We prefer mittens to gloves, as mittens are so much warmer. We are not sure who makes the best gloves. The warmest mittens come with a sturdy Goretex outer shell and a very warm polar fleece removable mitten liner.
    
    You won't need to wear any liner gloves inside these mitts (they already have their own integral liner) so fit is very important. In Kathmandu you can find good quality Black Diamond and Mountain Hardwear mittens.
    
    
  • Packing my bags in Kathmandu which I will take with me to basecamp.Open in a new window
    When you pack your bags in Kathmandu, please organize your materials into two locking duffle kit bags weighing no more than 20 kilos/44 pounds each. These are the bags that will be put on the truck and tied on the yaks, so please make sure they are strong and secure. You will be able to store your excess baggage in Kathmandu.
  • What is the best photo or video camera to use?Open in a new window
    Any small and light camera will be fine. Many people use digital cameras now, and download their photos on our laptop in basecamp (our laptop works at high altitude, while yours might not, so check carefully before bringing your own laptop).
    • There are new digital video cameras that are small and light and work well. Many peoples bring them and there has been some very good quality movies made by our members. Some members have even edited their own feature length films from video they took with one of these good-quality small 'handi-cams'.
    • Our members take great photos and we might ask your permission to use them in news stories on our news website. Of course you will be credited as the photographer.
      
    • If you are planning to download your photos, then you have to bring your own lead/cable and your own software, if available. Digital cameras also have the advantage of being able to take small video clips. We love seeing your video clips on our site and they really add to the excitement of telling the story of your climb. There are some good digital cameras that will work well in the $200, £100, or €135 range.
    • Be sure you always keep your camera in a plastic bag in the inside pocket of your jacket and you will have to sleep with it at night. You never want it to become cold or be exposed to wind, snow, dust, moisture or rain.
    • With any camera, make sure you have your battery/charging system well-thought-out before you leave home, as options to figure this out in the mountains will be limited.
  • Can I have prescription spectacles or glacier glasses made inexpensively in Kathmandu?Open in a new window
    Yes you can, and prescription glacier specs with leather side shields cost $28, £15, or €18. However, you will have to examine the possibility and assess the choice of frames and quality of workmanship personally when you arrive in Nepal. If you decide to go ahead, it can sometimes take up to a few weeks for your order to be ready. It's important that you will have your own correct prescription glasses before leaving home for the expedition, as your purchase will most likely not be ready for you until your return to Kathmandu after the trip is over.
  • What paperwork and information do I need to provide before arrival?Open in a new window
    Here is a checklist of what we need to have in your file at least two months before the trip begins. We encourage you to send an electronic scan of all of the below documents, please be sure they are signed. Thank you:
    
    [ ] Completed Payment. Please restate payments you made and what those payments were for, ie full vs basic, sherpas, oxygen, etc.
    [ ] Make your Oxygen order (if any) crystal clear at this time, number of bottles, masks, payment, etc.
    [ ] Make your Sherpa order (if any) crystal clear at this time, personal sherpa, quarter sherpa, payment, etc.
    [ ] Trip Registration Form (part of 4 page form),
    [ ] Signed Participant Release and Acknowledgement of Risk (part of 4 page form),
    [ ] Signed Terms and Conditions of Booking (part of 4 page form),
    [ ] Signed Medical Form (part of 4 page form),
    [ ] 1 Passport sized photo, which is a simple, very clear picture of your face, sent as an email scan. (We simply require a picture of your face against a white background. You can take it yourself for free with your own digital camera or smart phone),
    [ ] Exact photocopy of passport identification pages,
    [ ] Exact photocopy of complete flight itinerary,
    [ ] Proof of mountain rescue and repatriation insurance,
    [ ] Proof of travel, accident, and repatriation insurance (cancellation insurance is advised).
    
    Please do let us know what further questions you may have about the registration process, or anything else for that matter. Thank you.
• H) Flying from home country, welcome to Kathmandu.
  • What is the best way to purchase my international air ticket?Open in a new window

    It's best to purchase your international air ticket several months before trip departure. Although, surprisingly inexpensive air tickets may be available on short notice only a few weeks before the trip begins. However, for some busier times of year known as "high season", it might be best to purchase your air tickets 4-5 months before flying, or, if you are trying to use frequent flyer or air miles, 6-12 months prior to the beginning of the trip.

    We can recommend agencies and airlines that offer the lowest prices and best service.
    
    Flights from UK or Europe to Kathmandu currently cost £450-£700 (GBP), or €665-€1000 (EURO).
    
    For Kathmandu, the most normally used airlines are Gulf Airlines, Qatar Airlines, Ethitad Airways or occasionally Jet Airlines. It takes 1 or two days to fly there, and one or two days to fly back. Many Europeans prefer to fly to London first, to take advantage of the inexpensive flights. Flying from London, to begin, may we recommend you contact anyone at Trailfinders on 0207 9383939. Also, please ring the Flight Centre in London on: 08705 666627, or 0207 9356669.

    First ring your airline and request their "sport baggage allowance". Many airlines allow it, and often provide this for golfers, bicyclists, surfers and skiers. Quite often they extend it to climbers. Some of our members have had good luck bringing a ski bag and filling it with climbing equipment. Before arranging cargo shipping, ring your airline and explain what you are climbing/trekking and need to bring extra food/equipment, etcetera. Airlines often allow you to carry extra bags when you fly for a reduced charge, when you arrange it all in advance. The big advantage is that the bags should travel with you all of the time, don't have to be cleared through customs, etcetera.

    WARNING: They might not give the same allowance on the inbound portion. Be sure to check this and request it if not given, or you could incur high baggage charges when coming home. The documentation of this allowance may take the form of a letter from the baggage officer at the airlines, or the allowance may be printed on the ticket itself (the best form of documentation by far).

    Be sure to mention that you are one of our members when you ring your travel agent, as the above companies arrange quite a few of our flights and they may give a discount or provide extra baggage allowance.
    
    Flights from North America to Kathmandu currently cost $1200-$1700.
    
    When flying from North America to Kathmandu it takes three days on the way there (because you are crossing the date line), and two on the way back.

    For starters, we recommend you check the internet. Internet flight shopping is easy: www.Expedia.com often has inexpensive flights. Also try other websites such as www.Orbitz.com , www.Kayak.com , etc.  If you would like to work with a travel agent,  please contact Sue at Unique Travel: 503-221-1719. Another travel agency you may wish to check prices with is: Himalayan Treasures and Travels 800-223-1813, or Bootsnall.com 503-528-1005. Be sure to mention that you are one of our members when you ring your travel agent, as the above companies arrange quite a few of our flights and they may give a discount or provide extra baggage allowance. By the way, before booking your ticket, please check the itinerary carefully and check how much baggage they will allow. In case you have excess baggage, you may wish to ring your airline and request their "sport baggage allowance". Many airlines allow it, and often provide this for golfers, bicyclists, surfers and skiers. Quite often they extend it to climbers. Some of our members have had good luck bringing a ski bag and filling it with climbing equipment. Before arranging cargo shipping, ring your airline and explain what you are climbing/trekking and need to bring extra food/equipment, etcetera. Airlines often allow you to carry extra bags when you fly for a reduced charge, when you arrange it all in advance. The big advantage is that the bags should travel with you all of the time, don't have to be cleared through customs, etcetera. BAGGAGE WARNING: They might not give the same allowance on the inbound portion. Be sure to check this and request it if not given, or you could incur high baggage charges when coming home. The documentation of this allowance may take the form of a letter from the baggage officer at the airlines, or the allowance may be printed on the ticket itself (the best form of documentation by far).
  • Will someone be there to meet me at the airport?Open in a new window
    Yes and the cost is included in your registration fee. In fact, during our expeditions last year we were able to meet 100 percent of our member's scheduled flights, and bring the team to our hotel. Please make sure we have your complete flight itinerary. Upon picking up your bags and exiting the customs area and walking out into the arrivals hall, be sure to move slowly and look for the person carrying a sign with your name written upon it. Normally, this sign will bear your surname (last or family name), but occasionally they might have written your first or given name on the sign. The sign may also simply say, "SummitClimb".
    
    Our staff in Kathmandu are available to assist you 24 hours per day, seven days per week. It does not matter which day nor at what time you arrive or depart Kathmandu, they will meet your flight, take you to the hotel, help you find essential things like money changing, shopping, arrange tours of the city, etcetera.
  • Will my hotel be booked in advance & will someone take me to my hotel?Open in a new window
    Your trip includes 2 free Kathmandu hotel nights at the beginning and two free Kathmandu hotel nights at the end of the trip. You will be sharing. If you do not wish to share, you can pay an extra $20 for a single room (during any of the included 4 nights). If you want a room for extra nights, outside of the included 4 nights, the price will be $30 (single room). Price includes good delicious breakfast and mandatory 25% Nepal government tax and government service charge. Please bring extra cash to pay for your extra nights and / or your single supplement. We often stay at the comfortable three star Hotel Shakti. Its an excellent and classic hotel surrounded by green gardens and located in the heart of the city action near many delicious restaurants, the city's best mountain equipment shopping, and abundant nightlife all within a few minutes walk. The Shakti also offers lots of entertaining day trip (and night outing) options such as city tours, walking tours, rock climbing, mountain biking, wild game safaris, horse back riding, art classes, volunteer opportunities at orphanages, hospitals, schools, women's centres, bird watching, cooking classes, sport fishing, day peak climbing, herbal medicine seminars, day hikes, pottery classes, car tours, sightseeing, temple tours, henna handpainting classes, massage, swimming, beauty salon, motorbiking, yoga retreats, river rafting, painting classes, golf, language courses, kayaking, writing seminars, bungie jumping, religious worship, canyoning, hot tubs, health club, saunas, fitness center, spa treatments, Mount Kailash Treks, night clubs, meditation retreats, gourmet restaurants, cultural dance performances, wine tasting, pedicures and manicures, casino gambling, barber shop, discotheques, airport transfers, Scenic flights around Mount Everest and much much more. Meals in Kathmandu are at your expense.
    
    Our staff in Kathmandu are available to assist you 24 hours per day, seven days per week. It does not matter which day nor at what time you arrive or depart Kathmandu, they will meet your flight, take you to the hotel, help you find essential things like money changing, shopping, arrange tours of the city, etcetera.
    
  • Will there be a day of orientation in Kathmandu, to meet the members, leaders, & check my equipment?Open in a new window

    All members must be present on the first day of our scheduled itinerary in Kathmandu unless you have made special arrangements. We need your passports on that day so that we can obtain the permit for you to go to the mountains, and do quite a bit of intensive orientation and training before setting off for the mountains, in the next day or two.

    After completing our orientation session and receiving our permits, we plan to depart Kathmandu the morning after the orientation, although the schedule may differ by one day.
    

  • Will there be time to hire-rent-purchase my equipment, boots, and clothing in Kathmandu?Open in a new window

    Our planned schedule allows plenty of time for equipment shopping in Kathmandu, where there are so many shops that you will find almost everything you need, except good high-altitude mittens and gloves.

    For prices at Kathmandu shops, please "click here" . For information about using your credit, bank, cash, ATM card in Nepal & Tibet, please "click here" . For more information about how much cash to bring for a Cho Oyu expedition, please "click here".
    

    For hardwear like boots, crampons, ice-axes and harnesses, go to the Everest Summitters shop in Thamel. Email: evecom@mos.com.np , phone: (9771) 4219404, 4468775.

    For soft goods like downjackets trousers and suits, we have used two shops:
    A. Shona's Shop in Thamel: e-mail: shonasrentals@hotmail.com , phone: 4265120
    B. Everest Hardwear shop in Thamel. e-mail angsonam25@yahoo.com , tel 4230399, mobile (977)98510 45706
    

    Warm mittens are necessary for Cho Oyu. Please don't frostbite your hands. As of this writing, Kathmandu does not have very good mitts and gloves, but that is certain to change. We prefer mittens to gloves, as mittens are so much warmer. We are not sure who makes the best gloves. If you are in London, try visiting a snow and rock shop and trying some on. Here is a link to one of the better mittens we have seen so far: http://outdoorresearch.com/home/style/home/handtools/gloves/ascent/71870 .
    

    You won't need to wear any liner gloves inside these mitts (they already have their own integral liner) so fit is very important. This company ships around the world. Be sure to discuss the size of your hand and what size mitt you might need with the person at the shop. Sometimes our members from other countries have them sent to our US office address and US team members bring them over to the mountain directly for the person.
  • What day do I need to arrive and what day may I leave the expedition?Open in a new window

    All members must be present on the first day of our scheduled itinerary in Kathmandu unless you have made special arrangements. We need your passports on that day so that we can obtain the permit for you to go to the mountains, and do quite a bit of intensive orientation and training before setting off for the mountains, in the next day or two. Of course it is fine if you wish to arrive earlier than the first day of our scheduled itinerary.

    In addition, we need you to stay until the last day of the expedition unless you have made special arrangements. Its OK if you want to leave a bit earlier, but schedule your flight for the final day in any case. You never know when bad weather or route conditions can slow you down and cause you to need each and every day. Of course its fine if you want to stay on after the expedition ends.
    

  • Do you provide secure facilities to store my excess baggage & valuables in Kathmandu?Open in a new window
    We provide secure facilities in Kathmandu in which to store your extra personal items such as luggage, extra money, credit cards, passports (those people going to Tibet need their passports), jewelry, expensive watches, etcetera. These facilities are kept locked, watched, and nothing has ever been lost.
    
  • Should I fly to Kathmandu, Nepal or Lhasa, Tibet?Open in a new window

    We are now offering a Lhasa option at the start of the expedition for those members wishing to tour this ancient capital of Tibet before arriving at basecamp. The cost is $2450 USD.

    Most members fly to Kathmandu first because of the excellent equipment shopping and because it is easiest. From Kathmandu you will fly to Lhasa on the day the rest of the team leaves by motor vehicle. There are two to three flights each week.The flight takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes and goes over Mount Everest. It's only possible to take 20 kilos on the flight, so your big expedition bags will be brought to basecamp by truck from Kathmandu.

    Some members wish to fly to Lhasa from another city in China. We can also help you to arrange that.
    

    Upon arrival in Lhasa you will rest for 2 nights and one day. It's important that you use the rest day to get acclimated to the high altitude. Also, during your rest day in Lhasa, you could visit the beautiful Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple.

    It is a three day drive from Lhasa to basecamp. You will be driven in government cars. One car can hold four people and some luggage. If you have a lot of luggage you may incur high excess baggage penalties. Generally, you only bring a small bag with essentials and all your climbing equipment and clothing goes on the truck overland. The cost of the hotels and meals are included in the transport cost. If you wish to do the Lhasa option, please tell us as soon as possible.

    For more information about the route for the optional Lhasa tour, please click here.

    For more information about the itinerary for the optional Lhasa tour, please click here.
  • Bringing equipment and supplies as checked luggage on my international flight.Open in a new window

    Most of our members carry their personal equipment and snack foods in their checked and carry-on luggage on their international flight.

    In Britain, Europe, Australia, and other parts of the world, your baggage allowance may be as low as: 23 kilos/50 pounds of checked baggage, plus a small carry-on bag of 15 kilos/33 pounds (don't show the counter staff this much carry-on luggage upon check-in), for a total of 40 kilos/88 pounds. First ring your airline and request their "sport baggage allowance". Many airlines allow it, and often provide this for golfers, bicyclists, surfers and skiers. Quite often they extend it to climbers. Some of our members have had good luck bringing a ski bag and filling it with climbing equipment. WARNING: They might not give the same allowance on the inbound portion. Be sure to check this and request it if not given, or you could incur high baggage charges when coming home. The documentation of this allowance may take the form of a letter from the baggage officer at the airlines, or the allowance may be printed on the ticket itself (the best form of documentation by far).

    If you are unable to attain a sport baggage allowance, obviously, those members coming from these countries will either be faced with wearing their climbing boots, helmet, duvet-clothing, etcetera onto the plane (this is normal procedure for many Australian, British, and European team-members), or paying excess baggage charges, or purchasing/hiring a portion of their equipment or daily snacks in Kathmandu, which is now becoming more and more of a viable option. If you chose to pay the airline's excess baggage charges, you might be faced with $20 per kilogram/2.2 pounds, of excess. Be sure to make full telephone and email inquiries before checking your bags at the airport.

    You may wish to investigate cargo shipping from your home country to Kathmandu.
    

    Those members flying from North America are currently allowed 2 checked bags weighing 50 pounds/23 kilos each, plus one small carry-on weighing 30 pounds/13 kilos, for a total allowance of 130 pounds, or 60 kilograms. Baggage allowances change frequently. Before departure, you must ring your airline to verify the exact amount.

    In North America it may be possible to pay an additional $120 per extra 70 pound/32 kilo bag, up to a total of ten or so extra bags, on flights bound for Nepal or China, but not for flights returning from there. However, be sure to ask about such "extra-bags" policies carefully before booking, and be sure to check with ALL of the airlines on your itinerary, as some of these airlines may try to "double-charge" you.

  • How do I ship extra cargo from my home country?Open in a new window
    First ring your airline and request their "sport baggage allowance". Many airlines allow it, and often provide this for golfers, bicyclists, surfers and skiers. Quite often they extend it to climbers. Some of our members have had good luck bringing a ski bag and filling it with climbing equipment. Before arranging cargo shipping, ring your airline and explain what you are climbing/trekking and need to bring extra food/equipment, etcetera. Airlines often allow you to carry extra bags when you fly for a reduced charge, when you arrange it all in advance. The big advantage is that the bags should travel with you all of the time, don't have to be cleared through customs, etcetera. WARNING: They might not give the same allowance on the inbound portion. Be sure to check this and request it if not given, or you could incur high baggage charges when coming home. The documentation of this allowance may take the form of a letter from the baggage officer at the airlines, or the allowance may be printed on the ticket itself (the best form of documentation by far).
    
    If you do arrange cargo shipping, its not difficult but takes a little more time. Always put your name and expedition name on the first two lines, as this will clarify that you are personally using these items for climbing and they are not the property of our local agent, nor are they for resale in Kathmandu. Upon arrival in Kathmandu you will go to the Customs Hall (near the airport) in the morning and go through a one day process required to clear your cargo through Nepal Customs. So, if you are planning to ship cargo, be sure to arrive in Kathmandu on a weekday (M-F) before the scheduled beginning of our expedition, so you don't miss any critical team orientation meetings, etcetera. You may need to pay some fees to the Nepal Government at the time of pickup. Always be sure to speak to the government officer in-charge there, not a middleman from a freight forwarding company, as they will add on a lot of needless charges. If you have filled out the packing list with amounts stated minimally at point of origin, its mostly used equipment and personal food, and everything is for your personal use during the expedition only, and you say you will take the rest back to your country, your fees payed to the Nepal Government will be very small indeed.
    
    So:
    
    Your First and Last Name: ie: "John Doe"
    Cho Oyu International Expedition 2007
    Care of: Everest Parivar Expedition
    Murari Sharma
    Shoyambhu, Halchok, Kathmandu
    Kathmandu, Nepal
    
    tel: 4283382
    Mobile: 985102 3985
    
    You will have to request shipping times and charges from your local agent as we don't know the details from your country.
  • How much are the prices for boots, clothing, shoes, mattresses, and climbing equipment in Kathmandu?Open in a new window
    Most equipment, boots, clothing, shoes, mattresses are available for purchase and hire in Kathmandu, with the exception of good high altitude handwear. We allow extra time for our leaders to check your equipment in Kathmandu. If you need additional items, we allow time for shopping and have staff and members to show you where the shops are. For information about using your credit, bank, cash, ATM card in Nepal & Tibet, please "click here" . For more information about how much cash to bring for a Cho Oyu expedition, please "click here".

    Here is some information on Kathmandu equipment prices:

    Prices for hiring are the same as purchasing used equipment, seen below in Nepalese Rupees (Rs), at the lowest range of the used prices. $1 USD = 75 rupees (as of 2011)
    

    Down Suit various sizes:
    
    • New Shonas: Rs. 27,000
    • New Everest Hardware: Rs. 28,500 to 30,000
    • Imported New: Rs. 68,000 to 85,000 (North Face and Mountain Hardwear)
    • Used: 12,000 to 20,000
    • Renting: 200 to 300 per day
      
    • Down Jacket, size extra-large:
      
    • New Shonas: Rs. 4500 to 9500
    • New Everest Hardware: Rs. 5500 to 9000
    • Used Imported: Rs. 8000 to 15,000
      
    • New Imported: Rs. 15,000 to 25,000
    • Renting: 100 to 150 per day
    • Down Trousers size extra-large:
      
    • New Shonas: Rs. 4500 to 6500
    • New Everest Hardware: 9500 to 10,000
    • Used Imported: Rs. 10,000 to 22,000
      
    • New Imported: Rs. 25,000 to 30,500
    • Renting: 100 to 150 per day
    • Camping mattress:
      
    • Rs. 350 - 2200
    • Down Sleeping bag, extra-long size for tall person:
    • New Shonas: Rs. 9000 to 9500
    • New Everest Hardware: 14,000 to 25,000
    • Used Imported: 7000 to 20,000
      
    • New Imported: 51,000 to 55,500
    • Renting: 100 to 300 per day
    • Crampon (Grivel G-12 or Camp Aluminium LC 480, or similar):
    • Used Price (medium quality): Rs. 5000 to 8000 
    • New Price:13,000 to 16,000
    • Renting: 50 to 120 per day
    • Helmet
    • Used Price (medium quality): 1500 to 3500
    • New Price: 4500 to 5500
    • Renting: 45 to 150 per day
    • Ice Axe
    • Used Price (medium quality): 1500 to 5000
    • New Price: 9000
    • Renting: 60 to 150 per day
    • Harness
    • Used Price (medium quality): 2000 to 5000
    • New Price: 4500 to 6500 (Black Diamond, Petzl)
    • Renting: 100 to 130 per day
    • Millet One-Sport Everest Boots
    • Used Price: 15,000 to 45,000
    • New Price:  55,000
    • Renting: 150 to 200 per day
    • Plastic Double Climbing boots:
    • Used Price: 8000 to 11,000
    • New Price: 20,000 - 35,000
    • Renting: 100 to 180 per day
    • Lightweight leather trekking boot:
    • Used Price: 3000 to 10,000
    • New Price: 5500 to 28,000 (Coleman, Millet, Crispi)
    • Goretex jacket:
    • Used Price: 2000 to 10,000
    • New price: 3500 to 27,000
    • Medium-large rucksack:
    • Used Price: 1500 to 5000
    • New Price: Rs. 6500 to 20,00
    • Renting: 45 to 100 per day
    • Glacier sunglasses:
    • Used Price: 1500 to 3000
    • New Price: Rs. 4500 to 8000
    • Ski goggles:
    • Used Price: 1500 to 4000
    • New Price: Rs. 6000 to 8500
    • Gloves and Mittens:
    • Used Price: 3000 to 5000 (hard to find)
    • New Price: 9000 to 9500
    • Head Lamps:
    • Used Price: 600 to 2000
    • New Price: 3500

    Here is a partial list for those desiring to contact Nepalese manufacturers:
    
    For hardwear like boots and crampons, go to the Everest Summitters shop in
    Thamel. Email: evecom@mos.com.np , phone: 9771 4219404, 9771 4468775.
    
    For soft goods like down jackets trousers and suits, we have used two shops:
    
    1. Shona's Shop in Thamel: e-mail: shonasrentals@hotmail.com , phone:
    9771-4265120
    
    2. Everest Hardwear shop in Thamel.
    e-mail angsonam25@yahoo.com
    tel 4230399
    mobile 98510 45706
    
    There are so many shops in Kathmandu, you will find almost everything you need, except good mittens and gloves.

  • Can I use my credit, bank, cash, ATM card in Nepal and/or Tibet?Open in a new window
    In Nepal, using your bank, cash or atm card (as long as it's a Cirrus, Plus, or Visa), you can usually obtain rupees at a bank machine in Kathmandu. The machine will not give you dollars, or any other foreign currency. Sometimes, foreign cards dont work in Nepal. The most international bank is Standard and Chartered, and if you plan on using a credit card, you might ask your company to check if your card will work at S&C.
    
    In Tibet, there is a new cash machine in Zhangmu (just across the border from Nepal), hopefully it's still working. Those of you going to Tibet may wish to consider bringing only dollars or changing all of your currency into local currency in Zhangmu, upon crossing into Tibet from Nepal.
  • Must I pay for my hotels & meals in Kathmandu & Tibet?Open in a new window
    In Tibet, your expedition organizers pay for all of your hotels and meals. 
    
     
    
    Your trip includes 2 free Kathmandu hotel nights at the beginning and two free Kathmandu hotel nights at the end of the trip. You will be sharing. If you do not wish to share, you can pay an extra $20 for a single room (during any of the included 4 nights). If you want a room for extra nights, outside of the included 4 nights, the price will be $30 (single room). Price includes good delicious breakfast and mandatory 25% Nepal government tax and government service charge. Please bring extra cash to pay for your extra nights and / or your single supplement. We often stay at the comfortable three star Hotel Shakti. Its an excellent and classic hotel surrounded by green gardens and located in the heart of the city action near many delicious restaurants, the city's best mountain equipment shopping, and abundant nightlife all within a few minutes walk. The Shakti also offers lots of entertaining day trip (and night outing) options such as city tours, walking tours, rock climbing, mountain biking, wild game safaris, horse back riding, art classes, volunteer opportunities at orphanages, hospitals, schools, women's centres, bird watching, cooking classes, sport fishing, day peak climbing, herbal medicine seminars, day hikes, pottery classes, car tours, sightseeing, temple tours, henna handpainting classes, massage, swimming, beauty salon, motorbiking, yoga retreats, river rafting, painting classes, golf, language courses, kayaking, writing seminars, bungie jumping, religious worship, canyoning, hot tubs, health club, saunas, fitness center, spa treatments, Mount Kailash Treks, night clubs, meditation retreats, gourmet restaurants, cultural dance performances, wine tasting, pedicures and manicures, casino gambling, barber shop, discotheques, airport transfers, Scenic flights around Mount Everest and much much more. Meals in Kathmandu are at your expense.
  • Packing my bags in Kathmandu which I will take with me to basecamp.Open in a new window
    When you pack your bags in Kathmandu, please organize your materials into two locking duffle kit bags weighing no more than 20 kilos/44 pounds each. These are the bags that will be put on the truck and tied on the yaks, so please make sure they are strong and secure. You will be able to store your excess baggage in Kathmandu.
  • How shall I organize my visa?Open in a new window
    Your Nepal visa is conveniently purchased by you upon arrival at the Kathmandu airport. It is not necessary to purchase a Nepalese visa prior to landing in Nepal. The cost of a 90 day visa is approximately $100 USD & a 30 day visa costs approximately $60. Please bring cash and 2 extra passport-sized photos (extra photos are necessary to obtain the visa in the airport).
    
    For Tibet visa for your expedition or trek - We provide you special support in Kathmandu to organizing your Tibet-China visa. Be ready to pay up to $220 USD (US citizens) and $165 USD (non-US citizens) for your Tibetan visa. It may be cheaper, but we will tell you and provide a receipt. Thank you. Please Note: Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the END of the expedition and contain at least 2 blank pages.
    
    
• I) Insurance and safety.
  • How shall I organize my mountain-climbing-trekking and travel insurances?Open in a new window

    Nearly all developed countries have agents who offer travel and mountain climbing insurance at a reasonable price. Full-coverage insurance is essential, because it not only covers mountain climbing, but also travel to and from the mountain. This could cover you for lost bags, a car accident on the way to the airport, etcetera. When you see what high-quality insurance covers, you will realize that it is a very good value. BEFORE PURCHASING, BE SURE TO REQUEST A COPY OF THE POLICY AND BE SURE TO READ AND UNDERSTAND IT. Please enclose proof of insurance with your final team-membership payment. If you are one of the unfortunates who come from a country where such insurance is not available, we will accept an authorization letter and your credit card. You must be covered for travel, full domestic rescue, helicopter (where available) and international rescue and repatriation expenses. NO CREDIT CARD AUTHORIZATION = NO EXPEDITION MEMBERSHIP.
    
    In UK, Europe, South America, Asia, the Antipodes, etcetera, many of our members are now using a company called Global Rescue, http://www.globalrescue.com   , which can be combined with a standard travel policy, such as InsureMyTrip.com , CSAtravelprotection.com , or TravelInsuranceDirect.com.au .
    
    Here are some other options our members have used successfully:
    
    https://www.ingleinternational.com/   (with "sports rider" coverage)
    
    (Get the "Adventurer Plus Pak". This Pak is required to receive medical and evacuation coverage for mountaineering and a rental allowance in the event your gear is lost. To receive this benefit, your policy and Pak must be purchased within 21 days of initial trip deposit.
    
    http://www.snowcard.co.uk/  Mountaineering up to 5000m covered on Extreme Adventure package and up to 7000m guided only on Pro adventure Package. Insurance policies available from this website can only be used by uk & channel islands residents
    http://www.hccmis.com/  (with sports rider added on)
    
    http://www.dogtag.co.uk
    
    In the US and Canada, your total full-coverage insurance package may vary, depending on trip duration and amount of coverage. We have seen several companies that offer comprehensive plans for travel and mountain rescue. A company called Global rescue is worth checking out; http://www.globalrescue.com   , which can be combined with a standard travel policy.
    
    Those who wish to shop further, or have higher incomes and/or assets to protect may also be interested in: Access America, Travelex, Travel Guard, etc. Be sure to check what the policy covers before you buy.
    
    Also it's worth checking out https://www.dogtag.com/

  • What are the risks of sustaining an injury or dieing during the climb?Open in a new window
    Only in extremely rare cases do such things happen, but, lets be honest, risks are present when climbing the highest mountains in the world. However, optimists will tell you that your chances of being involved in an auto-accident on the way to or from the airport might be greater than during the actual climb itself. BE SURE TO PURCHASE GOOD QUALITY CLIMBING AND TRAVEL INSURANCE.
  • What if I need a rescue?Open in a new window

    In case of emergency, God forbid, our leader and Sherpas would help apply first aid, provide medicines and assistance with our medical oxygen, and "Gamow-Bag", then we would transport you to basecamp, or advanced basecamp, where an evacuation would take place. In Nepal, this evacuation would be via helicopter, at your expense.

    In Tibet and China, neither helicopters nor light aircraft are allowed. The evacuation might be via Yak and Jeep to the nearest hospital. The nearest hospital is in Kathmandu. You might reach KTM by road or you may have to take a helicopter from the border to KTM, again, all at your expense.

    BE SURE TO PURCHASE GOOD QUALITY CLIMBING, TRIP INTERRUPTION AND TRAVEL INSURANCE.

  • Is it true there is neither helicopter nor light aircraft rescue in Tibet and China?Open in a new window
    Yes, this is true. All rescues in those countries are done by human, livestock, and wheeled vehicle to the nearest hospital. However, you will still need to be insured because emergency yaks, jeeps, and rescue teams can be extremely expensive, as the nearest hospital is in Kathmandu. You might reach KTM by road or you may have to take a helicopter from the border to KTM. BE SURE TO PURCHASE GOOD QUALITY CLIMBING, TRIP INTERRUPTION AND TRAVEL INSURANCE.
  • Will there be a doctor present?Open in a new window
    Our leaders are highly trained and extremely experienced in diagnosing and treating illness and injury in the Himalaya, and are well equipped with extensive medical kits. Hopefully, a doctor or medical professional will be present. We encourage doctors and medical professionals who climb and trek to join our teams, in return for a 5 % discount. Out of our last nine expeditions, six had a doctor, and two had more than one doctor. However, please remember that these people are here to get away from their normal hospital routine, and have come to climb and trek, and they are not here to operate an "expedition health clinic". Thank you.
  • What sort of safety precautions are to be taken?Open in a new window
    The most important precaution while climbing peaks of this altitude is to be aware of proper acclimatization and to be sure that you are well adapted to the altitude before moving up the mountain. If you have never been to such a high altitude before, we encourage you to try Diamox .
    BOTH full-service and basic expeditions are allowed access to our extensive medical supplies, first-aid kits, medical oxygen, a gamow bag, climbing ropes and anchors. Our methods and equipment used in expedition climbing and trekking are time-tested over more than 20 years. We do not spare expense and have a complete range of equipment and very in-depth knowledge and experience in the use of lead and fixing ropes, rock-ice-snow anchors, rescue equipment, communications equipment, full-climbing equipment for safe ascent and descent, cookers, fuels, cooking equipment, proper and nutritious foods, hydration supplies and techniques, a vast array of tents (both used and used), high-altitude camping equipment, and the best oxygen equipment available. Our philosophy is one of "It is better too bring too much than not enough". We believe that our philosophy of being extra prepared is one of the key factors in our long tradition of successful ascents.
  • We request you to leave your credit card in Kathmandu as a rescue bond.Open in a new window
    WE NOW REQUIRE A SPECIAL AUTHORIZATION LETTER TO BE ON FILE WITH OUR KATHMANDU OFFICE IN CASE OF A HELICOPTER OR OTHER RESCUE (where applicable).
    
    In the very rare case of an emergency, this letter authorizes our agent and rescue companies to organise a rescue on your behalf. The letter is part of the forms you must sign, in order to register for the trip. The letter will be kept locked in our safe and we have never had a problem with this in the past. Some insurance companies respond to a rescue request on a 24 hour basis. Other insurance companies do not, and you file your claim after returning to your home country, so we need the rescue letter on hand, with payment instructions. Obviously, we need to be able to send a helicopter and/or special rescue jeep and rescue team immediately, in case of the unlikely event you are injured and unable to walk, or perhaps unconscious. Please Click here for Helicopter or other Rescue form . Or Please Click here for Download the form . Thank you very much. 
• J) Where do we stay and what shall we eat?
  • Where do we stay in Kathmandu?Open in a new window
    Your trip includes 2 free Kathmandu hotel nights at the beginning and two free Kathmandu hotel nights at the end of the trip. You will be sharing. If you do not wish to share, you can pay an extra $20 for a single room (during any of the included 4 nights). If you want a room for extra nights, outside of the included 4 nights, the price will be $30 (single room). Price includes good delicious breakfast and mandatory 25% Nepal government tax and government service charge. Please bring extra cash to pay for your extra nights and / or your single supplement. We often stay at the comfortable three star Hotel Shakti. Its an excellent and classic hotel surrounded by green gardens and located in the heart of the city action near many delicious restaurants, the city's best mountain equipment shopping, and abundant nightlife all within a few minutes walk. The Shakti also offers lots of entertaining day trip (and night outing) options such as city tours, walking tours, rock climbing, mountain biking, wild game safaris, horse back riding, art classes, volunteer opportunities at orphanages, hospitals, schools, women's centres, bird watching, cooking classes, sport fishing, day peak climbing, herbal medicine seminars, day hikes, pottery classes, car tours, sightseeing, temple tours, henna handpainting classes, massage, swimming, beauty salon, motorbiking, yoga retreats, river rafting, painting classes, golf, language courses, kayaking, writing seminars, bungie jumping, religious worship, canyoning, hot tubs, health club, saunas, fitness center, spa treatments, Mount Kailash Treks, night clubs, meditation retreats, gourmet restaurants, cultural dance performances, wine tasting, pedicures and manicures, casino gambling, barber shop, discotheques, airport transfers, Scenic flights around Mount Everest and much much more. Meals in Kathmandu are at your expense.
  • Where do we stay on the drive to basecamp?Open in a new window

    On the drive to basecamp we stay in rustic "hotels", at the organizers expense, so you do not have to pay. In Tibet, all hotels are government property and we are not allowed to choose one hotel over another. The "hotels" are rather austere. Rooms are generally shared, and the accommodations are very primitive. Most towns in Tibet have no plumbing. Here is some text from the Cho Oyu itinerary page:

    Driving to Basecamp:

    Begin Expedition! Bus to Zhangmu, Tibet (2500 metres/8,250 feet); drive to Nyalam (3,750 metres/12,400 feet). Transport, restaurants and hotels in Tibet, at organizer's expense;
    Rest & Acclimatization in Nyalam (3,750 metres/12,400 feet). Walk in the surrounding hills, hang out in the Tashi Amdo teashop. Hotel;
    Drive to Tingri at 3900 metres/12,900 feet. Hotel;
    Rest & Acclimatization in Tingri at 3900 metres/12,900 feet. Hotel;
    Drive to Chinese Base, 4700 metres/15,500 feet, Camp;
  • Where do we stay on the mountain?Open in a new window
    We stay in Chinese basecamp for just a few days then walk to advanced basecamp. We will not descend below advanced basecamp until the end of the expedition.Then we climb the mountain using camps 1, 2, and 3. Camp 3 is our high camp. We have an individual tent for each team member in advanced basecamp, so you do not have to share and can have some privacy. Tents in Camps 1, 2, and 3 will be shared. Go to our Group Equipment section to learn more about what we bring for you, including sleeping, kitchen, dining, toilet, and shower tents.
    Chinese basecamp-
    • Chinese base camp is located just below the Jabula glacier, also known as the Kyetrag or Gyabrag glacier (romanisations of Tibetan have not been finalized). You will rest for a day in Chinese base, to allow for packing and acclimatizing. Chinese basecamp is at around 5,000 meters/16,400 feet.
    • Advanced basecamp (ABC)-
    • ABC is located in a glacial moraine with views out to the Nangpa La glacier crossing between Tibet and Nepal. You then spend two days moving up to the "advanced basecamp" at 5,600 metres/18,500 feet, which is actually the true base camp for our climb. From here, you will complete your climb of Cho Oyu, not returning to Chinese base until your expedition is finished.
    • Camp 1-
    • Camp 1 is located in a saddle at 6,400 meters/21,100 feet, at the base of the north-west ridge. The trail to Camp 1 crosses a flattish glacier, than a hill with loose scree and stone sometimes with snow. It is often referred to as the: "horrible hill" and is nearly always accomplished in sturdy trekking shoes, with good ankle support.
    • Camp 2-
    • Camp 2 is placed just above a sloped section at 7,000 meters/23,100 feet.
    • Camp 3-
      
    • Camp 3 is located on the northwest ridge-face at 7,450 meters/24,600 feet. You shall attempt the summit from Camp 3.
  • What do we eat in Kathmandu?Open in a new window
    In Kathmandu, for a few days only, at the beginning and the end of the trip, you pay for your own meals . There are a wide variety of tasty restaurants in Kathmandu serving continental and Asian food. Prices are reasonable compared to what you would pay at home, depending on how much alcohol you wish to drink with each meal. We do not encourage our members to drink too much. For example 10 - 30 US dollars, 5 - 15 pounds, 7 - 22 euros, a day should be enough for all of your meals. Please review how much cash to bring for the expedition. Thank you.
    
  • What do we eat on the drive to basecamp? Open in a new window
    During the drive to basecamp the organizers will pay for all of your meals. We will eat 3 meals a day in Tibetan/Chinese restaurants attached to the hotels we stay in. Our hosts prepare 3 hot meals a day for us, and the food is adequate; some people even consider it tasty. Tibetan cooks use many fresh ingredients, including fresh vegetables and meats, and fresh bread and boiled eggs for breakfast. If you are a vegetarian, be sure and tell us, so we can instruct the cooks to prepare vegetarian dishes, no problem.
  • What do we eat in basecamp and advanced basecamp?Open in a new window
    Our well-prepared, simple, and nutritious meals in basecamp and advanced basecamp feature local cuisine and cooks. Our skillful and hard working cooks prepare three delicious hot meals each day with a very healthy diet of fresh vegetables, cheeses, eggs, and fresh as well as tinned fruits, meats and fish (all meats and fish are prepared separately out of respect for the vegetarians in our midst). They supply you with unlimited hot-drinks, the key to successful acclimatization. We have large weather-proof kitchens and dining tents, with comfortable chairs and tables. These meals are included at the organizers expense on the mountain. Please be sure to tell our leaders and cooks if you have special dietary needs, such as, vegetarian, food allergies, etcetera.
    We do not carry imported specialties such as “freeze-dried-food”, imported tinned meats and fish, nor imported sausages and cheeses. If you wish to eat these items, please bring them from your home.
    
  • What do we eat on the mountain?Open in a new window
    On the mountain we supply plenty of food for you to cook 3 hot meals each day. This food will consist of soup, local cheese & sausage, biscuits, dried noodles, potatoes, rice, porridge, butter, dried and tinned vegetables, fruit, meats, and fish, tea with milk and sugar, powdered juice drink, and drinking chocolate. Our sherpas will be carrying this food to the higher camps.
    We ask each member to bring their own imported daily snack and energy foods. We also ask members to bring 3 freeze-dried meals for their summit attempt. We do not provide cold “snack” food such as chocolate or "energy-bars". We ask that you bring or buy your own "snack" or daily cold energy food, 2-5 kilos/4-10 pounds, is a good amount. A growing variety of imported foods such as European and American cheeses, chocolates, biscuits, cookies, nuts, and locally made power-bars are now available in Kathmandu, at realistic prices. However, imported power bars, GU, re-hydration drinks, freeze-dried food, imported cheese and sausage are not available. If you want these items, you must bring them from your home country. Many of our members, especially Britons, Europeans, and Australians with tiny baggage allowances, now purchase their daily snacks in Kathmandu. Our schedule in Kathmandu allows plenty of time for shopping.
  • Do I need to bring my own snack energy and dehydrated food?Open in a new window
    Our skillful cooks prepare 3 delicious hot meals and plenty of drinks each day in basecamp and advanced basecamp.
     
    On the mountain we supply plenty of food for you to cook 3 hot meals each day. This food will consist of soup, local cheese & sausage, biscuits, dried noodles, potatoes, rice, porridge, butter, dried and tinned vegetables, fruit, meats, and fish, tea with milk and sugar, powdered juice drink, and drinking chocolate. Our sherpas will be carrying this food to the higher camps.
     
    We ask each member to bring their own imported daily snack and energy foods. We also ask members to bring 3 dehydrated meals (freeze-dried dinners) for their summit attempt.
     
    We do not provide cold “snack” food such as chocolate or "energy-bars". We ask that you bring or buy your own "snack" or daily cold energy food, 2-5 kilos is a good amount. A growing variety of imported foods such as European and American cheeses, chocolates, biscuits, cookies, nuts, and locally made power-bars are now available in Kathmandu, at realistic prices. However, imported power bars, GU, re-hydration drinks, dehydrated food, "freeze-dried meals",  imported cheese and sausage are not available. If you want these items, you must bring them from your home country. Many of our members, especially Britons, Europeans, and Australians with tiny baggage allowances, now purchase their daily snacks in Kathmandu. Our schedule in Kathmandu allows plenty of time for shopping.
  • How do we cook our food on the mountain?Open in a new window

    All of our team members cook their own food unless they have a personal sherpa to cook for them. For more about personal sherpas, please click here .

    We provide you with a special high altitude stove and fuel canisters. Our stoves are of the "hanging" type, designed to be used inside the tent (well ventilated of course). We have found these to be the best possible stoves for high altitude use, as it is essential to cook inside the tent during stormy weather. Our stoves are suspended above the floor so you have room to sit comfortably and warmly in your sleeping bag while cooking.

    Our high altitude fuel is of two types. Above 7000 metres/23,000 feet we use imported propane/butane 250 gramme canisters. Below 7000 metres/23,000 feet we refill the canisters with propane gas. Liquid fuel does not work above 6000 metres/19,700 feet so we don't use liquid fuel above basecamp or advanced basecamp.

• K) Communications and electronics for Cho Oyu.
  • Will there be a website dedicated to this expedition?Open in a new window
    Yes. Your friends, family, and colleagues can view the updated dispatches in our recent news section of SummitClimb.com.
  • What sort of 2-way-radios and satellite telephones will the organizers bring?Open in a new window
    We bring one 2-way-radio for each camp, and a satellite telephone for international voice telephone calls. We use simple 'walkie-talkie' radios which are effective, but have a shorter range. We do not use 'vhf' or 'uhf' radios. We strive to have one radio per camp, however, not per person on the mountain.
  • How much will it cost to use the satellite telephone?Open in a new window
    Members wishing to use the telephone will contribute $4 per minute of use, whether the call is incoming or outgoing.
  • Will people be able to contact me while I am on the expedition?Open in a new window

    We have a satellite telephone members can use for incoming and outgoing calls for $4 a minute. In addition, members can receive short text messages/SMS for $4 a message from their friends and family.

    SummitClimb has a local agent in Nepal available from 9:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. Nepal time. Family and friends can contact our agent and have their emergency messages relayed to members on the mountain during the expedition.

  • May I bring a laptop, ipod, mp3 player, and/or digital camera?Open in a new window

    Laptops work well up to about 4000 metres/13,000 feet. Altitude can destroy or wipe hard drives bigger than 7 - 10 GB above this altitude, or hard drives that have a moving disk. There are several options out on the market for non moving hard drives that work well in altitude. Panasonic make a special laptop called a "Toughbook"; it is expensive, but I once chipped one out of the ice in a tent at 7500 metres and it still worked.
    

    Note: Some early ipod and mp3 players have this problem as well. Check to make sure your ipod does not have a moving drive, especially before you turn it on above 4000 metres. We have had several instances where these were wiped or crashed.

    Digital cameras work well. We recommend that you keep them in your jacket during the day and in your sleeping bag at night.
    

  • Will I be able to charge my laptop, ipod, mp3 player, and/or digital camera?Open in a new window

    Many members do bring their laptop , ipod, mp3 player, and/or digital camera.
    

    We bring a solar charging system on the expedition that members have access to. As long as there is sun, we are able to charge batteries easily on the mountain.

    Bring the "wall charger" for your appliance and if possible, please bring an automotive 12 volt charger for your laptop, digital cameras, ipod, and mp3 players, as you can plug it straight into our solar system.

  • Will my wall charger work in Nepal and Tibet?Open in a new window

    In Nepal and Tibet, electricity comes from the mains in your hotel at 220 volts with a European style two-round-pin plug. There is an automatic converter in most North American appliances which will allow you to plug 110 volt items into the 220 volt electricity in Nepal and Tibet. Please be sure to read the back of your appliance or charger to make sure it does this conversion automatically.

    If you are in a hotel or village in Tibet, you may have to plug into the ceiling light fixture and it's possible to buy a simple bayonet adapter in Kathmandu, Zhangmu, etcetera. Warning, there are power spikes and surges which may damage your appliance. 

  • What is the best photo or video camera to use?Open in a new window
    Any small and light camera will be fine. Many people use digital cameras now, and download their photos on our laptop in basecamp (our laptop works at high altitude, while yours might not, so check carefully before bringing your own laptop).
    • There are new digital video cameras that are small and light and work well. Many peoples bring them and there has been some very good quality movies made by our members. Some members have even edited their own feature length films from video they took with one of these good-quality small 'handi-cams'.
    • Our members take great photos and we might ask your permission to use them in news stories on our news website. Of course you will be credited as the photographer.
      
    • If you are planning to download your photos, then you have to bring your own lead/cable and your own software, if available. Digital cameras also have the advantage of being able to take small video clips. We love seeing your video clips on our site and they really add to the excitement of telling the story of your climb. There are some good digital cameras that will work well in the $200, £100, or €135 range.
    • Be sure you always keep your camera in a plastic bag in the inside pocket of your jacket and you will have to sleep with it at night. You never want it to become cold or be exposed to wind, snow, dust, moisture or rain.
    • With any camera, make sure you have your battery/charging system well-thought-out before you leave home, as options to figure this out in the mountains will be limited.
• L) Notes for basic members.
  • What does the "Basic-Climb" price include?Open in a new window

    NOTE: Our Basic climb is open to groups of two or more. We welcome you to join the basic-climb as an individual and hire a climbing sherpa or join our full-service programme. Our full service climbs are open to members joining as individuals and groups of two or more. If you wish to save money, we encourage you to pick and choose the services you want and need from a "menu" you can see listed under "what the basic-climb includes" on the "cost" page for Cho Oyu on the upper right hand side of this site. Once you are inside the Cho Oyu "cost" page, scroll down to see the two available options, "basecamp" and "high altitude".
    

    Dan Mazur is the coordinator of your basic climb, and he will be leading the full service expedition. He is an accomplished Himalayan mountaineering professional with years of alpine experience and wisdom in the greater ranges of the world;
    • Transport to basecamp to/from Kathmandu, for you and your personal equipment only (boots, ice axe, clothing, sleeping bag), including accommodation and meals on the road (You must pay transport charges for excess equipment);
    • A walkie-talkie radio is provided to stay linked-in with the leader of the full service expedition while on the mountain;
    • Yak transport of your personal equipment only (boots, ice axe, clothing, sleeping bag), from the road to and from advanced basecamp (You must pay transport charges for excess equipment);
    • Emergency equipment and supplies: medical oxygen, gamow bag, basecamp medical kit, high-altitude medical kits, etcetera;
    • Access to team fixed ropes and camps (sites, not tents), coordinated with our own "full-service" climbing team.
    • Other necessary services and supplies (i.e.: transport costs, extra yaks, trek services, basecamp meals, high altitude services and equipment), may be purchased and hired at additional expense.
  • We would like to purchase the Basic Climb, and a few extra services. How much are these?Open in a new window
    If you wish to save money, we encourage you to pick and choose the services you want and need from a "menu" you can see listed under "what the basic-climb includes" on the "cost" page for Cho Oyu on the upper right hand side of this site. Once you are inside the Cho Oyu "cost" page, scroll down to see the two available options, "basecamp" and "high altitude".
  • How do basic climbing members organize transport of their additional equipment to basecamp and ABC?Open in a new window
    Basic climbers are allowed to bring 40 kilos each free, after that, they need to pay extra luggage transport charges.
    
    If they want us to arrange their baggage, then the cost per person is as follows (must be payed 60 days in advance):
    
    1. Baggage UP from Kathmandu to Chinese basecamp $3/kilo above 40 kilos.
    
    2. Baggage UP from Chinese Basecamp to Advanced Basecamp: $5/kilo above 40 kilos.
    
    3. Baggage DOWN from Advanced Basecamp to Chinese Basecamp: $5/kilo above 40 kilos.
    
    4. Baggage DOWN from Chinese Basecamp to Kathmandu $3/kilo above 40 kilos.
    
  • Are basic members able to purchase fuel for their stoves?Open in a new window
    For altitudes below 7000 metres, we are glad to provide any epi gas you might need at a cost of $5 per cylinder. You may be able to find it cheaper in Kathmandu.
    • For high altitude above 7000 metres, we are glad to provide epi gas at a cost of $10 per cylinder. Beware of refilled cylinders. It's the special certified high altitude gas with the contents guaranteed to contain the special high altitude 8000 metre mix.
    • When calculating your gas please estimate approximaltely 1 250 gm cylinder per-day per-person. We would need to receive these funds in advance so that we can pre-order the gas. Thank you.
    • We will buy-back any gas you don't use for 50% of what you payed.
  • Will I participate in orientation and training during the expedition?Open in a new window
    Yes, upon arrival in Kathmandu, all members are required to participate in a day of training and orientation (unless you have made special arrangements). Upon reaching basecamp or advanced basecamp, ALL full-service and basic-climb members are again required to participate in one to two days of training (unless you have made special arrangements) in the areas of climbing techniques, glacier travel, rope fixing, ascending, descending, safety techniques, rappels (abseils), belaying, medical equipment and procedures, communications equipment, camping techniques and high-altitude cooking. For the expert and beginner alike, it is important to review these techniques in order to enhance skills, ensure safety-awareness, and learn to work together as a team. Please make sure you have studied the standard books, such as "Mountaineering, Freedom of the Hills", and are comfortable and familiar with the necessary climbing techniques, before joining our team. Thank you for being a well-prepared and safe team member!
  • Packing my bags in Kathmandu which I will take with me to basecamp.Open in a new window
    When you pack your bags in Kathmandu, please organize your materials into two locking duffle kit bags weighing no more than 20 kilos/44 pounds each. These are the bags that will be put on the truck and tied on the yaks, so please make sure they are strong and secure. You will be able to store your excess baggage in Kathmandu.
  • What is the difference between "Full-Service" and "Basic-Climb?Open in a new window

    "Full Service" expeditions feature almost every imaginable service. "Basic-Climbs" feature the lowest possible prices. Please read down through the questions to learn more.

    NOTE: Our Basic climb is open to groups of two or more. We welcome you to join the basic-climb as an individual and hire a climbing sherpa or join our full-service programme. Our full service climbs are open to members joining as individuals and groups of two or more. If you wish to save money, we encourage you to pick and choose the services you want and need from a "menu" you can see listed under "what the basic-climb includes" on the "cost" page. Once you are inside the Cho Oyu "cost" page, scroll down to see the two available options, "basecamp" and "high altitude".

  • Will our basic team be able to stay in contact with the leader of the full service expedition while on the mountain?Open in a new window
    A walkie-talkie radio is provided for every basic team to stay linked-in with the leader and full service expedition while on the mountain.