Kathmandu : Seven Summit Treks, a leading Nepal-based adventure operator, has opened bookings for Shishapangma and Cho Oyu expeditions for autumn 2024. SST has announced the opening of bookings for the high altitude venture.

Led by renowned climber Chhang Dawa Sherpa, SST has pledged to provide expert guidance, safety and logistic support. With its extensive experience in high altitude expeditions SST assures its climbers of easy access, permits, and administrative processes.

The Cho Oyu expedition is scheduled for departure on 9 September, 2024, said SST’s General Manager Thaneswar Guragai.

“As our top priority is to ensure our clients’ safety,” he said, adding, we provide experienced and skilled Sherpas, high quality equipment and logistic support to ensure a successful climb.”

With extensive climbing expertise, Chhang Dawa, the board director and expedition manager for SST, provides expertise to the expeditions. He has many climbing records to his name including the first K2 winter ascent, a record set by 10 Nepali mountaineers in 2021 under his leadership. He is also the youngest climber to conquer all 14th peaks above 8000 metres at the age of 30.

Shishapangma

Shishapangma is located in south-central Tibet, five km away from the border with Nepal. It is the only 8000ers entirely within Chinese territory. It is also the highest peak in the Jugal Himal. The peak is normally climbed from north-west ridge, north-east ridge and south-southwest route. It is considered the safest and easiest expedition of a peak above 8000m after Cho Oyu. Shishapangma was first climbed via the northern route on 2 May 1964 by a Chinese expedition led by Xu Jing.

Cho Oyu

Cho Oyu stands for “Turquoise Goddess” in Tibetan. It is the westernmost major peak of the Khumbu sub section of the Mahalangur Himalaya, 20 km west of Mount Everest. The peak lies on the border of Tibet and Koshi Province of Nepal. A few km west of the mountain is Nangpa La (5,716m), a glaciated pass which serves as the main trading route between the Tibetans and the Sherpas of Khumbu.

The route to the Base Camp of Cho Oyu begins from Lukla in Nepal through Nurning, Jorsalle, Namche, Khumjung and Gokyo. The total distance of the route is 39.3 km. Cho Oyu was first attempted in 1952 by an expedition organised and financed by the Joint Himalayan Committee of Great Britain as part of preparations for an attempt of Mount Everest the following year. The expedition team led by Eric Shipton included Edmund Hillary, Tom Bourdillon and George Lowe.