Cho Oyu | 1988 W Ridge-W Face

A Switzerland expedition to Cho Oyu in 1988 via W Ridge-W Face, led by John Kimber. Summit reached on 29th April 1988. 5 members recorded.

Expedition Details

Field Value
ID 76
Imported 2026-03-06 18:04:49.359634
Expedition ID CHOY88102
Peak ID CHOY
Year 1988
Season 1
Host Country 2
Route 1 W Ridge-W Face
Route 2 -
Route 3 -
Route 4 -
Nationality Switzerland
Leaders John Kimber
Sponsor Cho Oyu Swiss Expedition 1988
Success 1 False
Success 2 False
Success 3 False
Success 4 False
Ascent 1 -
Ascent 2 -
Ascent 3 -
Ascent 4 -
Claimed False
Disputed False
Countries -
Approach -
Basecamp Date 1988-04-07
Summit Date 1988-04-29
Summit Time -
Summit Days 22
Total Days 0
Termination Date -
Termination Reason 8
Termination Notes Abandoned at 7600m due to lack of supplies and food
High Point (m) 7600
Traverse False
Ski False
Paraglide False
Camps 4
Fixed Rope (m) 0
Total Members 5
Summit Members 0
Member Deaths 0
Total Hired 6
Summit Hired 0
Hired Deaths 0
No Hired False
O2 Used False
O2 None True
O2 Climb False
O2 Descent False
O2 Sleep False
O2 Medical False
O2 Taken False
O2 Unknown False
Other Summits -
Campsites BC(07/04,5000m),Dep(13/04,5200m),C1(19/04,5700m),C2.ABC(21/04,6000m),C3(23/04,6600m),C4(25/04,7100m),xxx(29-30/04,7600m)
Route Notes BC at end of third to Dzsampa on Schneider map (actually just below Kangchung) C1 at Nangpa La C2 at same as spring 1986 Polish-Swiss-Austrian route C3 on Polish-Swiss Austrian route C4 on West Face on Polish-Swiss-Austrian route. 3 climbing members climbed together the whole time; twice "walked" up to 7600m from C4 and twice dropped back to C4: first day to have a look at terrain and 2nd because had no food with them from C4 (porters had been expected to carry up food and equipment from C3 to C4 to final camp to be established but they never appeared) and no equipment for E Summit camp and summit push. Very little food and fuel in C4 by now, so called off the climb. Stayed in C4 2 nights hoping Sherpas would come but they did not: said 1000 Chinese soldiers were in area and coming to seize expeditions; were afraid of Chinese and had dismantled ABC. All 6 Sherpas complained of headache and stomach trouble but same day dismantled 2 camps. Sirdar was incompetent as leader of men and another Sherpa, Mingma Norbu of Kharikhola wasn't knowledgeable of Cho Oyu, knew nothing and organized retreat of Sherpas. Successful in making a film. Handle - 24 April 1988 Following Messner route. Expect summit 27-28 April and return KTM about 5 May - but have time to wait. Duvoisin has serious sinus trouble so left expedition and goes home 27 April. All others are well. Expedition kept a room at Ambassador Hotel.
Accidents None serious except one bad sinusitis.
Achievement -
Agency Yeti Mountaineering & Trekking
Commercial Route True
Standard Route True
Primary Route False
Primary Member False
Primary Reference -
Primary ID -
Checksum 2452959
Year 1988
Summit Success False
O2 Summary None
Route (lowercase) w ridge-w face

Members

5 recorded members.

Name Sex Year of Birth Citizenship Status Residence Occupation
Daniel Ducommun M 1947 Switzerland Climber Crans, Valais, Switzerland Swissair employee Details Other expeditions
Norbert Duvoisin M 1941 Switzerland Climber St. Cergue, Jura, Switzerland Ski instructor, builder & painter Details Other expeditions
Pierre-Andre Handle M 1945 Switzerland Climber Biere, Vaud, Switzerland Engineer Details Other expeditions
John Kimber M 1958 Switzerland Leader Nyon, Vaud, Switzerland Engineer Details Other expeditions
Michel Vogler M 1941 Switzerland Deputy Leader Cheserex, Vaud, Switzerland Runs business that cleans tall buildings Details Other expeditions

References

2 recorded references.

Expedition ID Journal Author Title Publisher Citation Yak 94
CHOY88102 AAJ Nyka, Jozef - - 63:207 (1989) -
CHOY88102 - - http://publications.americanalpineclub.org/articles/12198920704/Asia-Nepal-Cho-Oyu-Attempt - - -