Cho Oyu 2009

Abstract

ITINERARY

TRIP DESCRIPTION

Though it is sixth in the list, Cho Oyu is the easiest and probably the safest of all the 8,000m peaks, thus it is an  excellent venue for a first 8000m expedition and good training for a future Everest trip.

The expedition will begin with acclimatising days at Tingri and CBC. By the time the team arrives at BC (5600M) we should be sufficiently acclimatised to climb as far as C1 (6400m) with the minimum of delay. Depending on the circumstances we will make our summit bid from C2 (7000m) or C3 (7400m).   The length of the expedition will depend on weather and conditions, the itinerary described gives us plenty of time for bad weather days.

The approach via Lhasa offers a rare opportunity to see visit the old centres of Tibetan Buddhism, and the road journey across cent gives us a glimpse into the vast sparse home of the yak herding nomads.

EXPEDITION PRICE

The price  is for a full  expedition service, professionally led, using Sherpas for support for group equipment .

Included in expedition price:
Road travel and  transfers included in the itinery
Hotels and lodges in itinerary (shared rooms, B&B)
All meals while on the road and in camps
IFMGA leader
Sherpa support
Full Base Camp set up, Mess Tent, kitchen etc.
Group climbing gear and first aid kit.
Personal base camp tents
High Altitude  tents, stoves, fuel.
High Altitude  food

Not included:
International flights to Kathmandu
Medical evacuation insurance
Holiday Insurance
Excess baggage beyond 50kg personal baggage on trek
Nepalese and Chinese visas
Personal climbing kit and clothing
Gratuities for hotel and expedition staff
Telephone, beverages and laundry
Lhasa flight and hotels

Payment, Cancellation and Refund
To register for this expedition  we will need a deposit of USD 200  6 months before the start of the expedition, (together with a scan of the biodata page of your passport).The balance  is payable a minimum of 3 months before the start of the expedition.

INSURANCE

For this trip you must have medical evacuation and trip cancellation insurance. If you purchase them separately we recommend IHI for medical emergencies (http://www.ihi.com/).
We strongly recommend the purchase of trip cancellation and travel insurance. Travel insurance should  provide coverage for trip cancellation and interruption, travel delays, baggage delay,  loss of baggage and travel documents.

VISAS

Foreign travellers to Nepal and China need visas which we can obtain for you in Nepal. Your passport must have 2 spare pages for the Chinese visa and a minimum of 6 months validity beyond the date of the visa.

ESSENTIAL KIT LIST

Kit must be light and functional. Heavy, unsuitable and excess kit will only hinder your ascent of the mountain:

Travel
passport + photocopy + spare passport photographs
credit cards + cash
copy of insurance certificate

Bivouac
sleeping bag (good to -20C)
sleeping bag liner
2 x light sleeping mats
mug, bowl, spoon
lighter

Sun protection
sun hat (cricket style is good)
glacier glasses and spare sun glasses
ski goggles
glacier cream and lip salve

Clothing
ski hat
balaclava or neck gaiter
weather proof outer-shell jacket
thin gloves
leather palmed ski gloves
warm mitts
light duvet jacket for base camp
down suit (or separate down pants)
glacier shirt (light, long sleeve shirt)
pile or fleece jacket x 2
silk weight long sleeve shirt
weather proof outer-shell pants or sallopettes
pile or fleece pants
silk weight pants
thin and thick socks
gaiters
warm plastic boots
trekking boots or sturdy trainers

Hardwear
head torch x 2  with fresh spare batteries
light water bottle (local plastic  bottle is good)
70l (min) litre rucksack
Alpine ice axe
new or sharpened crampons
harness
2 locking krabs
2 non-locking krabs
1 long sling (120cm)
prussik cord (2 x 6mm dia. 2m long)
8mm dia cord, 4m long

First Aid
personal medical supplies
blister kit
spare glasses/lenses (for the myopia or hyperopia)

Optional Extras;
ski sticks
rock boots/chalk
camera
chemical hand warmers
down bootees

GUIDE

The expedition will be “professionally led” by an IFMGA (UIAGM) mountain guide. This means the guide may not be within sight of the members at all times on the mountain.

FOOD

We will feast on local food, but bear in mind that our essentail philosphy on mountains is that “Food is fuel”. Please let us know well ion advance of any special dietary requirements.  

MEDICAL EXAMINATION and VACCINATIONS

It  is imperative that expedition members are fit and strong and in good
health.  Please ensure that you have seen your doctor and provide us with a medical certificate that you are fit for the expedition, and that you have the necessary innoculations for the countries you will be travelling through. We must be informed of any medical conditions that may affect you during the course of the expedition. We will treat the information with full confidentiality.

SAFETY COMMUNICATIONS and EXPEDITION FIRST AID

On this expedition we will be carrying a small satellite phone and two way radios. We will also provide a basic expedition first aid kit. You should bring your own personal first aid kit.