A Chinese scientific expedition team successfully reached the summit of Cho Oyu, the sixth highest mountain in the world, on the morning of October 1st. A comprehensive scientific exploration is currently underway at this site. This marks the first time a Chinese scientific expedition team has climbed a mountain above 8,000 meters outside of Mount Everest.
Expedition members measuring snow thickness on the summit of Cho Oyu on October 1. (Photo: Xinhua News Agency).
Cho Oyu is a mountain located in the Himalayas, standing at an elevation of 8,201 meters. It is the sixth highest mountain in the world, situated on the border between China and Nepal.
According to the expedition plan, the Chinese scientists will complete the installation of five automatic weather stations at elevations of 4,950 meters, 5,700 meters, 6,450 meters, 7,100 meters, and 8,201 meters on the summit. They will measure snow thickness, collect ice and rock core samples, gather snow and rock samples from extreme slopes, monitor core data regarding the impact of glacier retreat on the periglacial ecosystem, and analyze the release of carbon dioxide (CO2) from glaciers. Additionally, they will collect samples and data for dynamic surveys related to human health at extreme altitudes above sea level.
It is known that China has successfully conducted scientific expeditions on Mount Everest in consecutive years, 2022 and 2023.
According to Xinhua News Agency, this expedition to Cho Oyu marks China’s capability to systematically conduct comprehensive scientific explorations at extreme altitudes, establishing regular mountain climbing for scientific survey purposes in the country.
