Lhotse (Nepal-China)

Lhotse is the fourth highest mountain in the world at 8551 metres and is unique in that it is climbed from virtually the same route as Mount Everest.

Lhotse it is situated at the border of Tibet and Nepal.

Lhotse has the smallest topographic prominence value of any official eight-thousander, as it rises only 610 m .Hence it is often seen as a minor eight-thousander However, Lhotse is a dramatic peak in its own right, due to its tremendous south face. 

This rises 3.2 km in only 2.25 km  of horizontal distance, making it the steepest face of this size in the world. The south face has been the scene of many failed attempts, some notable fatalities, and very few ascents.

The western flank of Lhotse is known as the Lhotse Face. Any climber bound for the South Col on Everest must climb this 1,125m wall of glacial blue ice. This face rises at 40 and 50 degree pitches with the occasional 80 degree bulges. High altitude climbing Sherpas and the lead climbers will set fixed ropes up this big wall of ice.

The crest east-west is located immediately south of Mount Everest, and the summits of the two mountains are connected by the South Col, a vertical ridge that never drops below 8,000m. Lhotse has three summits: Lhotse Main 8516m, Lhotse Shar 8383m and Lhotse Middle or East 8413m. 

Lhotse Main was first climbed in 1956 by Ernst Reiss and Fritz Luchsinger who were part of a Swiss expedition. Lhotse Shar was first climbed on December 5, 1979 by Sepp Mayerl and Rolf Walter by taking the SE-ridge.

Ascension:

A final camp is placed at 7900m before the steep ice and rock Lhotse Couloir is climbed to gain the impressive knife edge ridge that leads to the summit. Lhotse can be climbed separately or in combination (a tough challenge) with our Everest South Col Expedition.

Lhotse Overview:
Elevation: 8,516 m
Location: Nepal/Tibet border
Coordinates: 27°57'42" N 86°56'00" E
First Ascent: Ernst Reiss and Fritz Luchsinger (Swiss), May 18, 1956
Climbing Season:    Late spring
Expedition duration: 44 days
Climbing duration:  27 days

Picture:

http://www.nepaltrekandtour.com