Lhotse is best known for its proximity to Mount Everest and at 8,516 metres it is the 4th highest Peak in the world. The climbing route for the Lhotse Expedition follows the same route as the climb on Everest, including the aptly named Lhotse face almost all the way till Everest’s Geneva Spur from where it follows a steep climb through a long couloir to the summit.

Lhotse has three summits, of which the lowest is 8,383 metres high (Lhotse Shar). Next in order of altitude is Lhotse East, also known as Middle, standing at the height of 8,413 metres. The highest peak at 8,516 metres is called Lhotse Main. It was reached for the first time in 1956. Interestingly, the first successful ascent on Lhotse Middle was only in 2001.

Leading the way to the summit is the Lhotse Couloir. It is located on the west face, or the Lhotse Face, of the mountain. The couloir is a massive ice gully, and presents the most challenging part of the climb for the expedition members. At certain points its rise is as steep as 80 degrees. It features two rocky areas – the Yellow Band and the already mentioned Geneva Spur. Apart from demanding terrain, climbers going through the gully have to be wary of periodic snowfall.