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Lhotse

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Lhotse is the fourth-highest mountain on Earth. It is part of the massive Everest massif in the Himalayas. The main summit sits on the border between the Tibet Autonomous Region of China and the Khumbu region of Nepal. To the north lies Mount Everest. To the west sits the mountain Nuptse. Lhotse forms a massive horseshoe-shaped arc with these neighbors. Its name comes from the Tibetan language. It means "South Peak."

Nuptse Ridge ,Everest,Lhotse and Lhotse Shar peaks
Nuptse Ridge ,Everest,Lhotse and Lhotse Shar peaks

The mountain is one of the eight-thousanders. This term describes mountains over 8,000 meters high. Lhotse has a complex structure with four distinct summits. The highest point is Lhotse Main. Below it are Lhotse Middle, Lhotse Central II, and Lhotse Shar. Lhotse Middle was once the highest unclimbed named point on Earth. It was finally reached by a Russian expedition in 2001.

ISS004E8852 everest
ISS004E8852 everest

Climbers face extreme terrain on this mountain. The Lhotse Face is a massive wall of glacial blue ice. It rises at steep pitches of 40 to 50 degrees. Some parts bulge at 80 degrees. Climbers must use fixed ropes and tools called jumars to pull themselves up. Two rocky sections interrupt this icy wall. These are named the Yellow Band and the Geneva Spur. The standard route to the main summit leads through a narrow path called the Reiss Couloir.

Western Cwm - 14th May 2011
Western Cwm - 14th May 2011

History shows many attempts to conquer these heights. In 1955, the International Himalayan Expedition explored the area. This team included members from America, Austria, Switzerland, and Nepal. They were accompanied by 200 local porters and several Sherpas. They reached 8,000 meters on the northwest face. However, strong winds and low temperatures forced them back. They did complete the first 1:50,000 photogrammetric map of the Everest area.

Western Cwm - 14th May 2011
Western Cwm - 14th May 2011

The first successful ascent of the main summit occurred on May 18, 1956. Two Swiss climbers, Ernst Reiss and Fritz Luchsinger, reached the top. Other summits were conquered later. Austrian climbers Sepp Mayerl and Rolf Walter climbed Lhotse Shar in 1970. In 1986, Reinhold Messner climbed Lhotse. This achievement made him the first person to climb all fourteen eight-thousanders.

Nuptse Ridge ,Everest,Lhotse and Lhotse Shar peaks
Nuptse Ridge ,Everest,Lhotse and Lhotse Shar peaks

Lhotse presents incredible physical challenges. Some climbs are considered the most difficult and dangerous in the world. The South Face is extremely steep. The icy North East Face remains unclimbed to this day. Some climbers achieve great feats here. In 1999, Soňa Vomáčková reached the summit without supplemental oxygen. This means she did not use extra tanks of air. In 2011, Arjun Vajpai became the youngest person to summit at age 17.

ISS004E8852 everest
ISS004E8852 everest

Because Lhotse is so close to Everest, the two mountains are linked. Climbers often use the South Col to travel between them. Some people attempt a feat called the "Double Crown." This involves climbing both Lhotse and Everest in less than 24 hours. Many climbers have reached the top by December 2008. Records show 371 people have summited. However, 20 people died during their attempts.

Nuptse Ridge ,Everest,Lhotse and Lhotse Shar peaks
Nuptse Ridge ,Everest,Lhotse and Lhotse Shar peaks
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File:ISS004E8852 everest.jpg
ISS004E8852 everest.jpg
File:Nuptse Ridge ,Everest,Lhotse and Lhotse Shar peaks.jpg
Nuptse Ridge ,Everest,Lhotse and Lhotse...
File:Western Cwm - 14th May 2011.jpg
Western Cwm - 14th May 2011.jpg
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