Cho Oyu Climb with International Mountain Guides

Thanks for your interest in our Cho Oyu Expedition climb. Cho Oyu is the 6th highest mountain in the world (8,201m) and is a classic Himalayan climb. Since 1995 we have seen 193 climbers reach the summit of Cho Oyu with our IMG teams on the 22 expeditions we have conducted via the original 1954 route from Tibet. We're proud to have the best climbing record on the mountain. Our programs are recognized worldwide as well organized with first-rate logistics and experienced leaders, conducted under the direction of legendary climber and expedition leader, Eric Simonson.

IMG was one of the very first 8000m Himalayan operators to run Tibet Everest and Cho Oyu expeditions, and 2012 marks 23 years of running expeditions in Tibet. Leading the 2012 Cho Oyu expedition is Mike Hamill. Mike is a very popular IMG leader who has led 7 previous Cho Oyu programs for IMG.

For Trekkers who wish to accompany the expedition, please contact Eric Simonson for more information. We have a limited number of spaces for trekkers on this team. If you are strong, it is possible to hike all the way to Camp 1 which is OVER 20,000 feet (as a day trip, but not spend the night there). If you are looking for a challenging trek, this is it!

For climbers that want additional support we are also offering a Personal Sherpa Option. We will assign exclusively to you one of our very best Sherpas, who has summitted Cho Oyu and Everest many times, been through the Khumbu Sherpa climbing school, and who speaks English well. As a small, two-person team, you will be able to take advantage of the "best of both worlds" with all the "horsepower" of the main IMG team at your disposal in case of emergency, but also having the additional flexibility afforded by a climbing partner who is committed to climbing exclusively on your own schedule, when you want to. Your personal Sherpa will also be available to help carry your personal gear and extra oxygen.

Note on Dates

Dates are listed starting with the arrival day to Kathmandu to the arrival day back to Kathmandu at the end of the trip. The ending date for the CHO OYU CLIMB is flexible, depending on weather and conditions. It would be normal to add at least 7 extra contingency days on the itinerary for the climb. If necessary, climbers will change their departure flights from Kathmandu when they know exactly when the expedition is going to end.

Spring vs. Autumn

IMG is no longer doing Spring expeditions to Tibet, due to the ongoing problems obtaining the Chinese/Tibet visas in the spring season. We have not have these problems with the visas in the autumn season.

But in general, Spring vs. Autumn... it's a crap shoot. Spring has less snow and avalanche danger, but has more ice and is more technical. The autumn can be good, but if you get a big snow dump (more likely in the autumn than spring,) you could be out of luck.

Spring starts out cold and windy, and gets better. Autumn starts out warm and wet, hopefully has a good stretch, then gets cold and windy later in the season. We try to climb in the spring during mid-May, when the weather starts to improve, and in the autumn during late September/early October before it gets too cold, and there are big snow storms.

Generally speaking, Everest is good in the Spring, less reliable in the Autumn. Cho Oyu is good both Spring and Autumn. There are probably more expeditions on Cho Oyu in the Autumn, since many companies are on Everest in the Spring.

International Mountain Guides (IMG)

IMG is the oldest and most respected high-altitude climbing service in the world and its three principals, Eric Simonson, Phil Ershler, and George Dunn, have led and organized hundreds of expeditions worldwide. Each is an AMGA Certified Alpine Guide with Himalayan expedition experience including Everest, K2, Kangchenjunga, Shishapangma, and Cho Oyu. IMG's Himalayan mountaineering programs are organized and directed by Eric Simonson, one of the world's premiere expedition organizers. Under his direction IMG has conducted over 40 Himalayan expeditions. His teams include a group of professionals and Sherpas who are the best in the business. Since 1990, over 490 IMG team members have summited the world's classic 8,000-meter peaks, including Everest, Lhotse, Cho Oyu and Shishapangma.

Ama Dablam Extension

For climbers interested in staying in Nepal to do more climbing, we are offering Ama Dablam immediately after the Autumn Cho Oyu Expedition, with a 10% discount for Cho Oyu climbers.