The Cho Oyu Expedition Disaster

In the Spring of 2000, a small expedition of Russians and Finns attempted to ascend Cho Oyu, one of only fourteen 8000m+ peaks in the world. This is their story.

Thank you all so much for watching, and please leave a like and a comment if you enjoyed the video, and consider subscribing while you're here! Thanks again everyone!

[stonefox]

"Easiest of the eight thousanders to climb" has the same energy as "easiest of the bears to fight bare-handed".

[davymckeown]

Thank you, hadn't heard of this tragedy. As Michael Tracy points out in his discussion on Mallory and Irvine's 1924 attempt on Everest, most deaths on that mountain occur amongst those who push for the summit. Almost all those who turn around in adverse conditions survive to climb another day, what's true for Everest is obviously true on all extreme climbs.

[markveteto]

Cho Oyu is a beast. Climbed “Cho” in 1986….. winds and cold are always problematic. At 18, 000 ft. plus and the body takes a beating. Most think the climb is less technical therefore easier climb. NO! Spend your time and money climbing more technical routes at lower altitudes. The summit high is just as satisfying! Summit fever is not worth satisfying yourself for if you die.

[pessimisticideas]

Haven't heard about this tragedy before. Thank you for telling this story in an interesting, yet respectful manner. Great work!

[HollowFlight]

I've been on the top of a mountain in a blizzard. Felt like a skeleton with the wind blowing straight through me and chilling my bones. The whiteout was so complete I couldn't tell which way was up or down. Only reason I didn't fall to death was I got lucky, made the decision not to second guess myself, and blindly followed a path I remember being safe.

For a moment the whiteout cleared and I could see these massive cyclones all around me, it was terrifying realizing what I was in. But I also saw a treeline and made my way to it. If I had second guessed myself and went off the wrong side of the summit I would be dead.

[JasonJason]

I think the mountaineering disasters are the most interesting. I'm glad you've been doing these, thank you.

[wellfedstarvingartist]

As someone who would never do this I understand the ambition but there is something eerie about all the individuals that you share in these videos.

I truly believe some part of them is wanting to die or at least fascinated with death to an unhealthy level.

I think the common pushback is "Nah they're REALLY LIVING"

If you have to be that close to death to feel alive, there a part of you that is looking for war. And war with nature is a a war you'll never win.

[bigbeartanner]

I’m glad I subbed to you. I love cave and mountain horror stories the most.

[micheleshively]

I haven't heard of this disaster either. Thanks for your time and work! Love your channel

[zew]

Dude, just found your channel, food work! Well written, narrated and no recycled stories. 👍

[Dostrain]

As a Finn I didn't even realize that there have been some other Finns but Veikko Gustafsson who have conquered an 8000 meter peak o.o Thank you for telling this story, was very interesting to know about this.

[rossloveswife]

Bro I found your channel 2 days ago and I'm here for the long run. I love I binge every video.

[patrickagee]

Slow and steady wins the race....as they say... Another great video and I noticed you're on your way to 5k subscribers!! Congrats!!!!

[OyatalaTheGr]

I love all of your stories! I came for more!!!

[helpstopanimalabuse]

I have summited Everest 2 times out of 3 & it never ceases to amaze me that people will pay $30k -$40k to voluntarily climb a mountain which will may lead them to their deaths. In 2012 i was coming down from Everest 's summit & came across a man called Steve who was LAFD Paramedic (Los Angeles Fire Department). He had collapsed in the snow & was barely conscious, shaking uncontrollably, & could not stand. I radioed base camp but Russell, our Expedition Leader & i told them the situation & asked him to send some sherpas up so we could get him down safely. I told them i refused to just let him die there in the snow. Base camp were adamant that i should leave him & warned me that if i get got into trouble up here with Steve they would refuse to send sherpas to help me. With a incredible amount of guilt i left my Oxygen tank with him & tried one more time to get him up begging him to to take some steps but he simply was too sick. I continued to descend to camp 2. I arrived in a terrible, devasted, guilt ridden state & cried like a baby for hours again just unable to comprehend why people choose to risk their lives & put themselves in danger just climb a mountain.

This was my last trip to Everest & i will never return again. There is just too many bad memories & i wonder how many people just walked over Steve's & other peoples bodies & just couldn't be bothered checking on them. I understand the "Summit Fever" going up to summit but when coming down when you have summited then there is no need to leave a dying person for dead.

There are over 100 bodies on Everest frozen in a pristine condition except the heads which is seeing to believing a terrible site. I can only warn people to think carefully before agreeing to joining a expedition. Make sure you train like it's a 30, 000 feet summit not 29, 029 feet. Good luck to anybody who anybody who attempts summiting it & once again make sure you train for it.

[dubon]

I've never heard of this case. Thanks for the hard work

[oneactionman]

Glad i found your channel. Just subscribed.👍💯

[shararm]

Watching that sub count climb! love your work

[danielmocsny]

One advantage of being a mountaineer is that you probably don't need a retirement plan.

[Ubersnuber]

Well what do you know! A Channel that doesn’t “inform” me how the subscribe button looks and works, and what to do with it.
I was confused and afraid, but after much deliberation I was able to find out, by myself, that I liked the video and needed some sort of function to enable me to get back here for future viewings. I is smrt.