The Turquoise Goddess
The broad, snow-covered peak of Cho Oyu is nestled among the jagged mountains that separate Tibet from Nepal. Its summit stands at just over 8,200 metres, making it the sixth highest peak on the planet.
Although, upon our arrival at the beginning of May, the skies were fine and sunny - Tibetans refer to Cho Oyu as the Turquoise Goddess - the mountain has a reputation for ferocity; winds commonly reach over 100 kilometres per hour, and temperatures can plummet to-35 degrees celsius. Many experienced climbers are prevented from reaching the summit.
Staring up the valley from Base Camp toward the distant monolith, I thought back to how I had arrived at this spot, and what I was to embark upon.
Having climbed Aconcagua the previous year, I’d been looking for challenge; something a little higher and a little tougher – an 8,000-metre peak. Seeking one that would require limited technical skills, yet still push my boundaries of endurance (and not break the bank), I shortlisted three peaks from the 14 on offer: Broad Peak in Pakistan’s Karakorum Range, and Shishipangma and Cho Oyu in the Tibetan Himalaya. Considered the easiest of the 8,000-metre peaks to climb, I opted for Cho Oyu. I signed up to a commercial expedition (my first ever) as part of a six-man international team.
My comrades were a mixed bunch; all male, all tall, and all with a fire in their belly to climb the mountain. Our leader, Tarn, was an experienced ski-mountaineering guide from New Zealand. Chris was a tall German, with cropped grey hair, a tanned Aryan face and big smile. Andy was from the north of England, a tall, strong man experienced at high altitude and long duration expeditions. The two
