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Cho Oyu Flash™

Following the paths of Herbert Tichy…

Time is a valuable commodity. We are about to change the fundamentals of high-mountain expeditions. For you.

Acclimatization for this expedition is already done at home. While a traditional Cho Oyu expedition takes around two months, our Flash™ Expedition saves time and additionally increases safety and chances of success. (22 days only)

The Cho Oyu, also called “Turquoise Goddess” or Qowowuyag, rises at the border between Nepal and Tibet with its breathtaking 8. 201m as sixth highest mountain towards the sky and already comes quite close to it. What is particularly important to us Austrians in connection with Cho Oyu: the legendary first ascent of Herbert Tichy, his Tyrolean mountain companion Sepp Jöchler and Sherpa legend Pasang Dawa in 1954. The Austrian writer, geologist, explorer, adventurer and mountaineer climbed Cho Oyu with much patience and without additional oxygen. The route chosen by the trio is still considered to be the “normal route” to Cho Oyu and will lead us to the summit. And Tichy’s stories make us really looking forward to our expedition into the middle of the Himalayas:

“When we remember this time, it is not so much the extreme but rather the harmony and beauty – the hours, the landscape and the surrounding people – that remain in our memories”. (Herbert Tichy)

The Cho Oyu is perfect for preparing for one of the harder eight-thousanders, as it is considered one of the objectively safer and easier eight-thousanders. Nevertheless, this mountain must not be underestimated, because it is still one of the highest mountains in the world and therefore a challenging undertaking. However, through good preparation, a professional team and the appropriate equipment, the objective dangers of our expedition can be contained relatively well and that is what CHO OYU is all about:

Not much of a risk, but definitely fun!

Adventure Factor courageous
Experience / Emotion lifechanging
Fitness / Struggle challenging
Risk low objective hazards
Comfort expedition style

Highlights:

  • Preacclimatisation in hypoxic tent inclusive
  • Reduction of Expedition Duration – just 22 days
  • One of the safest 8.000ers
  • 1:1 Sherpa Member ratio
  • IFMGA/AMGA lead guide
  • O2 included

In order to register for the Cho Oyu Flash™ Expedition a personal interview will take place beforehand.

Trip dates:

Booking code:-
Minimum members:-
Price per person: 0

In order to carry out an expedition in such a short period of time, good preparation is of enormous importance. The preparation begins with a consultation in which goals and training contents are defined. Each participant must have experience in altitude and mountain climbing. Fitness and mental stamina must be intensively trained in the months before the trip. We also attach great importance to careful acclimatisation. This takes place during the Flash™ expeditions in altitude tents with altitude generators at home: each participant gets his individual training plan and is pre-acclimatized to an altitude of almost 7,000m in the 6 weeks before the expedition. Thus a large part of the partly dangerous and tiring acclimatization tours are omitted at the mountain. Thus the expedition can be shortened considerably. If you have any questions, please read our FAQs or contact us.

The exact schedule depends on weather and snow conditions as well as on the progress of the logistics and the group on the mountain. In addition, keep in mind that we are in a very remote and politically sensitive area where our freedom of movement may be limited at any time due to governmental or environmental restrictions.

We enable maximum flexibility. The expedition can be extended if the circumstances require it, the participants wish it and bear the additional costs incurred.

The following schedule is planned:

1. - 9. Day: Arrival in Kathmandu, Drive to Tibet and Ascend to Basecamp

1. Day: Arrival in Kathmandu
Everyone will be met at the airport and taken to the hotel, regardless of whether the journey was booked individually or not. And then we will get off to a comfortable start… check in and get to know the others while enjoying a beer on the terrace.

2. Day: Free day in Kathmandu
Those who do not yet know Kathmandu will love it. Relax, shop in Thamel, enjoy the cultural program, or simply soak up the atmosphere. To each his own.

3. Day: Flight to Lahsa. For the time being we say goodbye to Nepal and fly to Lhasa, the highest capital of the world. The centrally located hotel offers a good starting point to explore the city and to breathe Tibetan air for the first time.

4. Day: Free time. Also today there is still enough time to admire the former residence of the Dalai Lama and the countless monasteries and temples of the city, some of which have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Or to watch the everyday life of the Tibetans with a bowl of butter tea.

5. Day: Drive to Shigatse.

6. Day: Drive to Tingri at 4300m
Simple accommodation but good food! We can already see Cho Oyu from here.

7. Day: Drive and Arrival at the Cho Oyu Drivers Camp (5.000m)

8. – 9. Day: Ascend via an intermidiary camp to Cho Oyu Basecamp (5.750m)

10. - 18. Day: Climbing Cho Oyu

10.-18. Day: Climb
We have enough time to set up the route and the high camps on both mountains and wait for favorable weather and snow conditions that are suitable for a safe ascent.

Planned camps are as followed:

  • Camp 1 – 6.400m
  • Camp 2 – 7.000m
  • Camp 3 – 7.350m.

19. - 22. Day: Kyirong, Kathmandu and return flight

19. Day: Trek back to drivers camp, where the jeeps already wait for us.

20. Day: Departure for Kyirong and after arrival free time.

21. Day: Finally back to civilization! Whatever has happened the last 6 weeks, we’ll be happy to enjoy a cool beer, nice shower and comfortable bed.

22. Day: Time to say goodbye! We’ll leave Nepal with loads of exciting memories and stories to tell.

check_circle_outline  Included:

  • Organisation of the expedition
  • Hypoxic tent and generator for up to 6 weeks prior to expedition
  • IFMGA/AMGA lead guide
  • 4 nights hotel in Kathmandu in a single room
  • All transfers in Nepal and Tibet (jeep / private shuttle)
  • Fullboard during whole expedition (in Kathmandu only breakfast)
  • Drinks at shared meals (no alcoholic drinks)
  • Double occupancy rooms/tents during journey to the mountain
  • Porter / Yak to basecamp and back (30kg personal gear / member) for both mountains
  • 1 tent each member in each basecamp
  • 1 tent each 2 members for approach and high camps
  • Mat for approach and basecamp
  • High camp equipment (tents, stove, gas, dishes, food)
  • Fixed ropes, fixing material
  • 1 Sherpa each member
  • Gear, Insurance and helicopter rescue for all staff members
  • Medical emergency oxygen
  • Emergency medicine, pulseoxymeter
  • Kitchen staff
  • Comfortable, heated Dome tent in basecamp, shower tent
  • Satellite communication for a fee and depending on availability
  • O2 Pack (newest oxygen system)
  • Radios
  • All fees and permits
  • Weather forecast
  • Organization and cost for the Tibetan visa
  • Safety and liability of an EU based tour operator

highlight_off  Not included:

  • International Airfare to Kathmandu (ask for an offer)
  • Shipping costs for hypoxic tent and generator outside of the EU and US
  • Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu
  • Personal insurance
  • Visa for Nepal
  • Visa for China
  • Personal medicine
  • Personal climbing sherpa (optional)
  • Oxygen (optional)
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Tips
  • Summit bonus for climbing Sherpas
  • Personal climbing gear
  • Sleeping bag
  • High camp mat
  • Fees for satellite communication
  • Helicopter flight basecamp – Kathmandu (optional)

Why Flash™?

One of the main reasons for a failed climb of a high summit is the long acclimatization time at the mountain. The repeated ascents and descents, the threat of catching an infection at the base camp, where many people must live in a very crowded space, robs many climbers the energy even before the actual climb has started.

To raise the chances of success, we begin with the acclimatization process via hypoxic tents at the participants’ home, 6 weeks prior to our actual departure to Nepal. Those tents are going to be set up by our experts and under their supervision, the expedition members body will slowly be acclimatized to a height that is equivalent to around 7000m. Furtenbach Adventures is using hypoxic tents since almost two decades and we have a long experience with these means of acclimatization for high altitude mountaineering.

In 2016, our team was the first successful Everest expedition, where all participants where pre-acclimatized with hypoxic tents. This decreased the time we had to acclimatize at the mountain significantly, before we could start our ascent to the summit. After reaching the summit, we were also the only team that was able to descend in one go to Camp 2. This higher performance capacity contributes largely to the safety aspect, thanks to proper pre-acclimatization.

These special preparations, combined with small groups, best oxygen-support, the latest equipment, an experienced team (some of our Sherpas have climbed Mount Everest up to 19 times) and our vast organizational experiences allow a total expedition duration of only 28 days. So far, we are the only operator at Broad Peak that can offer such a short period without increasing any risks. Since decades, the fundamental techniques, equipment, high-altitude medicine and weather forecasts have been developed over time.

The climbing tactics however have remained the same as they were in the 1970s. We are about to change that by providing a modern climbing alternative which meets the current state of the art and respects the general principles of safety.

info  General Infos

Tour operator for this trip: Furtenbach Adventures.

An expedition to high altitudes still presents an enormous challenge despite modern equipment and tactics. Besides technical and fitness requirements, the high altitude still poses the largest hurdle. That is why we place great emphasis on prudent, slow acclimatization, and recommend our eight thousander expedition participants the possibility of pre-acclimatization in a high altitude tent at home (see also FAQ).
Weather and conditions on the mountain can lead to program or route changes. Participation in the expedition lies in your own individual responsibility. Furtenbach Adventures assumes no liability for accidents, damages or loss of materials.

If you are not sure that taking part in an expedition like this is the right thing for you, feel free to contact us on Tel +43 512 204134 or e-mail [email protected] for a personal consultation.

This package in general is not suitable for persons with reduced mobility.

https Insurance

We strongly recommend taking out a travel insurance (including trip cancellation, interruption, medical and luggage insurance) For this journey, the Global Rescue Signature Travel Insurance is suitable. The price of the insurance depends on the trip and the personal data of the traveller. We happily make you an offer after booking or upon request.

To cover search and rescue costs in the mountains, we ask our expedition participants to take out a “medical only”-membership at Global Rescue. This membership can be concluded here before departure: https://ss.globalrescue.com/partner/furtenbach/. Further information are provided after your booking.

language  Entry Requirements

EU or Swiss citizens:

Nepal:
When entering the country, you need a passport with a validity of at least 6 more months.
You can get a visa on arrival directly at the airport or in advance directly at your embassy.
We recommend to get a “multiple entry” visa for 90 days.
Get further information directly on the official website: https://www.immigration.gov.np/page/tourist-visa

China:
Once you arrived in Kathmandu, we’ll apply for a group visa for Tibet. Necessary documents will be collected by Furtenbach Adventures in advance. The application process might take some days. Costs for the Chinese visa are included in the trip price.

Information about recommended vaccines and health regulations: http://www.who.int/ith/en/

Travelers must be able to prove their return or onward ticket when entering the country.

More detailed information regarding entry, visa and health requirements for this travel destination will be provided once you’ve communicated your nationality.

work  Equipment

Unless specified otherwise in the detailed program, all high camp equipment will be provided by us. You need to bring your own personal equipment such as down clothing, expedition shoes, an isolated sleeping mat and a sleeping bag with a comfort range of – 20 to -25 degrees Celsius for the high camp. Following your booking we will send you a detailed equipment list. We will be happy to advise you personally during the selection and purchase of required equipment. With years of expedition experience, we know what has proved its worth and what not.

insert_chart_outlined  Difficulty/ Technique

The ascent always lies in the participants personal responsibility, while led by the mountain guide and expedition leader. Participants must be able to move safely and independently in mixed terrain (rock, snow, ice) and – if required – independently build rope teams under the guidance of the mountain guide. Cooperation, camaraderie and support on the mountain increases the chances of success for all. The guide is there to provide guidance for the whole group, the possibilities for him to respond to individual needs is limited. It is imperative that participants adhere to the instructions and decisions made by the mountain guide. Regardless, each participant must know their own physical limits, and be able to make a timely decision to turn back.

For expeditions offered by us, unless otherwise specified in the detailed program, the following is required of participants: independent getting on and off the fixed ropes on cliffs, snow, ice and firn snow slopes, as well as the independent use of crampons and ice axes in mixed terrain. On climbing passages, as well as very dangerous and exposed places, fixed ropes are attached by mountain guides and by the Sherpa team.

perm_identity Physical Fitness

A key success factor in expeditions is being in good shape. Train in the months before the expedition! Several hour climbs with a backpack and around 1000 meters per day should not be a problem for you. You have to carry your own personal equipment on the mountain, unless an optional personal Sherpa is booked. The porters are available for the group and set up the high camp and insure the route. We will gladly provide individual advice on how to best prepare yourself mentally and physically for an expedition!

local_hospital  Health

We recommend that each participant undergoes a medical examination prior to the expedition. Good health is a prerequisite for participation. Particularly important is a visit to the dentist because previously unnoticed dental problems can become quite acute due to the sudden change in pressure conditions in higher altitudes.

landscape  Experience

We are very familiar with the charm and attraction of an eight-thousander! However, we want to make certain that you can ascend safely, come back alive, and be able to enjoy the expedition while on it and not afterwards. Therefore, in order to participate in our eight-thousander expeditions, you must already have collected some experience at high altitudes and mountaineering. When booking, please let us know which heights you have already reached and which high mountains you have climbed. If you are a newcomer, no problem, we offer a bespoke program aimed to train you for reaching your desired destination.

In order to participate in our seven-and six-thousander expeditions, you should have at least some experience on the four-thousander peaks of the Alps or other mountain ranges. Our offer for newcomers applies here as well, we can train you to become prudent and safe high altitude climbers!

We offer a special introductory weekend for all those who want to learn about – or refresh their knowledge of – all the skills and techniques needed on an expedition. More infos here.

payment  Payment

Deposit Payment is made less than eleven months prior to the end of the trip and is a maximum of 20% of the price. The balance must be paid no earlier than 20 days prior to departure. Please find more information regarding the payment in our GTC.

directions_run Right of withdrawal

The traveller has the right to withdraw from the travel contract at any time by paying the according cancellation fee stated in the General Terms of Conditions of Furtenbach Adventures GmbH.

For expeditions to 7000 and 8000 meter peaks the following fees apply for cancellations on the part of the client prior to travel: until 3 months prior to departure 50%, within 3 months prior departure 100%.

The tour operator will be released from the contract if the specified minimum number of participants is not achieved and if the customer has been notified about the cancellation in writing within the following periods: until 20 days prior to departure.