CHO OYU
NEPAL CHINA / 8188m
It’s the big one: 20 miles from Everest and frequent stepping stone to it, this is the sixth highest mountain on Earth – and your ticket to the elite and hugely controversial 8000m club. We say controversial, as until relatively recently these mountains were the preserve of elite mountaineers, and there have been some well-publicised flashpoints when the worst qualities of big, dangerous mountains and commercial expeditions
have collided – particularly on those with notorious appeal such as Everest (the highest) and K2 (the most notorious).
Cho Oyu, whilst hugely serious, is considered the easiest 8000m peak by some margin, with a fatality rate of 2%. This still translates to a huge risk in comparison to most mountains (Everest is 4.4%), but anyone climbing above 8000m must accept this as a casualty of the activity: it’s why they
call it the Death Zone.
But if you want to play the most acceptable odds, this is your mountain – and it has every hallmark of a classic Himalayan ascent of old, including a journey across mystical Tibet, a trek to base camp, acclimatisation and a system of camps on the mountain. You’ll need deep pockets and a clear diary though: you’re looking at 44 days and the best part of £20k. Oof.