Skip to Content

Stories: Cho Oyu

Mountain adventures create the best stories, and we want to share some of ours with you. Dive into Alpenglow Stories to stay up to date on expeditions in the field, read blogs, and get tips and tricks from guides.

A climber in a red down suit climbs up a steep snow slope with the Himalaya behind at sunrise.

A Game of Patience: Waiting for a Window on Cho Oyu

In 2024, after a five-year hiatus, Alpenglow Expeditions returned to Cho Oyu with a determined team—and despite a season marked by unpredictable weather, we secured a 100% summit success rate. Cho Oyu, the sixth-highest peak in the world, hasn’t seen us since 2019, but this year we were ready to face whatever the mountain threw at us. And it delivered.
Read the story
A climber stands on a mountain path with Cho Oyu in the background.

Cho Oyu or Manaslu For Your First 8000er?: Why Cho Oyu is the Safer Bet

When considering safety margins on the largest high-altitude climbs in the world, many climbers look towards Cho Oyu and Manaslu as two relatively “safe” 8000-meter peaks. However, Alpenglow Expeditions chooses only to guide Cho Oyu, because we view it as an objectively much safer option compared to Manaslu. Here’s why:
Read the story
Two climbers sit in the snow beneath the summit of Cho Oyu.

How Technical is Cho Oyu?

Climbing Cho Oyu, the sixth highest mountain in the world at 26,906′/8,201m, presents a unique blend of adventure and technical skill, making it a perfect first 8000m peak experience. Aspiring mountaineers often wonder about the difficulty level and technical requirements of Cho Oyu. Let’s delve into the intricacies of tackling Cho Oyu’s formidable terrain.
Read the story
A climber stands with his back facing to the camera with Cho Oyu, the sixth tallest mountain in the world, in the background.

The Practical Path: Climb Cho Oyu Before Everest

For ambitious mountaineers eyeing the world’s tallest peaks, the decision to tackle Everest is a monumental one. At Alpenglow Expeditions, we require that our Everest team members have prior experience on at least one 8,000-meter peak before joining an Everest expedition, and we almost always recommend Cho Oyu as a stepping stone. Here’s why climbing Cho Oyu first makes practical sense.
Read the story
Prayer flags on a Cho Oyu Expedition with tents in the background during a guided expedition with Alpenglow Expeditions.

Setting the Stage for Everest: Cho Oyu, 1952

In the storied world of Himalayan mountaineering, the 1952 British Expedition on Cho Oyu stands as a testament to the grit, determination, and pioneering spirit of the climbers of that era. Led by renowned mountaineer Eric Shipton, the expedition aimed to reach the summit of Cho Oyu, the sixth-highest peak in the world, located on the Nepal-Tibet border.
Read the story
everest guides, everest routes, everest guided trip, mount everest map, mount everest peak, where is mt everest?

Five Expeditions Before Climbing Everest with Topo Mena

Now that Everest season is in full swing, this week we connected with IFMGA-certified Alpenglow guide Esteban ‘Topo’ Mena to talk about five expeditions that are perfect for building the experience necessary to climb the tallest mountain in the world.
Read the story
An overview of the Northwest Ridge on the Tibetan Side of Cho Oyu.

The Northwest Ridge on Cho Oyu

As the sixth highest peak in the world, Cho Oyu offers an array of climbing routes on the ‘easiest’ 8000er, each presenting distinct challenges and rewards. Among these, the Northwest Ridge route from Tibet stands out as the most straightforward and least hazardous route to the summit. In this blog, we take a deep dive into the route up Cho Oyu via the Northwest Ridge.
Read the story
Prayer flags on a Cho Oyu Expedition with tents in the background during a guided expedition with Alpenglow Expeditions.

A Brief History of Cho Oyu

The recorded history of Cho Oyu dates back to the early 20th century when British surveyors first began mapping the region. However, it wasn’t until the mid-20th century that the mountain truly captured the attention of the international climbing community.
Read the story
Adrian Ballinger climbing up Makalu during his ski descent of Makalu

Why Hire an IFMGA-Certified Guide for Climbing 8000-Meter Peaks?

In high altitude environments, having a skilled and experienced guide is not just beneficial: it’s crucial for ensuring safety and success. This is where the International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations (IFMGA) certification comes into play, providing assurance and expertise to stack every card in your favor while climbing at 8,000 meters.
Read the story

How to Climb Your First 8000er: Cho Oyu Rapid Ascent

Read the story