Cho Oyu, the turquoise goddess

At 8,188 meters, Cho Oyu towers over the border between Nepal and Tibet. Its name, meaning “Turquoise Goddess,” evokes the luminous reflections of its glaciers and eternal snows. Less feared than its neighbors, it has nevertheless left a mark on the history of Himalayan mountaineering.

Altitude

8188 m

Localisation

28.094° N / 86.661° E

A reputedly accessible 8000er

Often regarded as one of the more “accessible” Himalayan peaks, Cho Oyu attracts numerous expeditions. Its normal route on the Tibetan side is technically less demanding than those of other 8000ers. But above 8,000 meters, no summit can ever be approached without risk.

1952

Swiss reconnaissance

First approach to the massif during a preparatory expedition to Everest.

1954

First ascent

Achieved on October 19 by Herbert Tichy, Sepp Jöchler and Pasang Dawa Lama from the Tibetan side.

1958

First Indian expedition

An important milestone for Asian mountaineering.

1978

First female ascent

Achieved by Vera Komarkova and Irene Miller.

1985

First winter ascent

By a Polish team led by Maciej Berbeka.

28.0941° N / 86.6608° E

Nepal/Tibet (Chine)

8,188 m

Altitude

1954

First ascent

6

Rank among the world’s highest peaks

3

Countries from which it is visible: Nepal, Tibet, and from certain points in Bhutan

The “turquoise goddess”

Its poetic name comes from Tibetan legends: it is said that its glaciers reflect the precious hues of turquoise.

A training peak among the 8000ers

Although many mountaineers choose Cho Oyu as their first “8000er,” the extreme altitude remains a serious challenge. Even the easier-reputed sections can become deadly traps in bad weather.

The neighbors of Cho Oyu

Everest

Nepal

8848,86 m

Lhotse

Nepal

8516 m

Ama Dablam

Nepal

6812 m

An initiatory summit

Cho Oyu is both an initiatory summit and a guardian of the Himalaya. It reminds us that “ease” does not exist above 8,000 meters, where every step demands caution and respect.

From Tibet

The classic route starts from the Tibetan base camp (5,650 m) and then ascends gradually to the normal route on the northwest shoulder.

“There is no easy summit, only illusions of ease.”

Herbert Tichy

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