Climbing Cho Oyu

News from the Cho Oyu climb

At 8,201metres, Cho Oyu is the sixth highest mountain in the world. Located in the Himalayan Range, 25 miles west of Mount Everest, Cho Oyu's massive bulk straddles the border between Nepal and Tibet. Cho Oyu means Turquoise Goddess in Tibetan and was first climbed in 1954 by an Austrian expedition.

Tori, Ben and Omar were accompanied by Mountain Guides Guy Willet and Rob Casserley, both of whom are doctors. Rob has summitted Cho Oyu once before. Click here for the full news archive of the team's ascent of Cho Oyu.

Final entry - Thursday 26th October

Fi and Sherpa returning from the summit

Tori, Ben and Omar have been back in the UK for over two weeks now following the successful Cho Oyu Expedition and have pretty much recovered from the trip. The whole Everest2007 team has now undergone its second fitness evaluation with Dr Justin Roberts and has a rigorous training plan in place for the remaining five months before departing for Everest.

The team will be presenting a talk at London Business School entitled "Climbing the Turquoise Goddess" on the Cho Oyu Expedition. More details to follow.

Ben Descending from Camp Two

Stunning night view of Cho Oyu’s North West Side as seen from Base Camp

Rest stop on high pass on route back to Kathmandu

Tori and her Sherpa Thundu back in Kathmandu

Wednesday 4th October

Tori at the summit - with Everest behind

The team is back at Advanced Base Camp with Tori having made it to the top of Cho Oyu (8,201m) – the sixth highest mountain in the world!

After several weeks of poor weather Omar decided to return to London, leaving the rest of the team at the end of September. He had struggled with an extended illness before the expedition and hadn't fully recovered by the time the team left for Nepal, so to make it as high on the mountain as he did is a great accomplishment in itself.

With a good break in the weather (finally!) Ben and Tori set out for the summit at around midnight on Sunday 1st October using oxygen.

Tori in front of Cho Oyu with Welsh Flag

Ben decided to turn around a short distance above Camp Two, his earlier run in with Acute Mountain Sickness having taken a toll and having impacted on his ever-important acclimatization.

Tori and Fi continued upwards and summitted at 08:10 local time, completing the climb in just less than eight hours. This makes Tori the highest ever Welsh woman! Well done Tori!

They have all now (4th October) returned safely to ABC and are busy packing up. They will then leave ABC tomorrow and should arrive back into Kathmandu on Friday 6th October, where it will be easier to communicate with Ben and Tori and get more information on their great adventure!

Cho Oyu Itinerary

Day 1-2 Fly to Kathmandu (depart Friday 25th August)
Day 3 Final preparations in Kathmandu and sightseeing
Day 4 Sort out Tibet visas (Monday 28th)
Day 5 Fly to Lhasa (Tibet) - acclimatisation begins
Day 6-7 Sight seeing and acclimatising in Lhasa (3,600m)
Day 8-10 Travel to lower/Chinese basecamp (5,000m) by jeep.
Day 11-12 Acclimatisation hike and any kit sorting that is necessary for the trek to ABC.
Day 13-14 Trek to Advanced Base Camp which will be our proper basecamp (5,800m).
Day 15-39 Climb Cho Oyu (Friday 8th September - Monday 2nd October)
Day 40 Return on foot to Chinese basecamp.
Day 41-42 Return to Kathmandu by Jeep.
Day 43 Relaxing in Kathmandu
Day 44 Fly Home on Sunday 8th October

Supporters

The team would like to thank the following companies for their support for this expedition:

Soreen Malt Loaf (www.soreen.com)

Essential source of energy for the mountain, and it tastes good too!

Biocare – Professional Healthcare Specialists (www.biocare.co.uk)

The team will be taking a range of supplements with them to ensure that they are getting everything that they need to keep them fit and healthy during the expedition. Many thanks to Biocare for providing all of these supplements.

BioCare is a science-based company founded by scientists and naturopathic practitioners with many years experience in the fields of science and nutrition. Its unique range of nutritional supplements has been formulated with the 'allergic or intolerant' individual in mind and includes a full spectrum including vitamins and minerals, fatty acids, probiotics and specialist combinations; with a strong emphasis on obtaining maximum absorption and bioavailability.

High Five (www.highfive.co.uk)

BSES Expeditions (www.bses.org.uk)

Tori has recently left BSES having been the Young Explorer Coordinator there for the last three years. The team are extremely grateful to BSES for the loan of various items of kit and equipment and they will be carrying the BSES flag with them to Cho Oyu which they hope to plant at the summit.

BSES Expeditions provide excellent opportunities for young people to take part in challenging expeditions to wilderness areas overseas. All expeditions include exciting adventurous activities and research and conservation projects. Expedition opportunities in 2006/7 include Peru (Cordillera Blanca), The Amazon Rainforest, Canadian Yukon, Greenland, Svalbard, and Madagascar.

Canesten Wet Wipes (www.canesten.co.uk)

It's not just Tori that will be using these wipes, Ben and Omar will be too! Many thanks to Canesten who are helping to make sure that the team stays clean and healthy.

Optix at Broadgate (www.optixuk.com)

OPTIX at BROADGATE is one of the UK's leading independent optical stores. OPTIX is a family owned and run business of highly experienced and qualified optometrists and opticians, offering one of the country's widest selections of premium and designer optical frames, sunglasses, contact lenses and other accessories.

Oakley (www.oakley.com)

DMM (www.dmmclimbing.com)

DMM is full of admiration of the team's expedition to Cho Oyu, and wishes them a successful summit and a safe return.

Mountain Hardwear (www.mountainhardwear.com)

Cotswold Outdoor (www.cotswoldoutdoor.com)

Page last updated: December 19, 2006, 11:28 pm (BST)