Lhotse Mountain
Fourth-highest mountain adjacent to Mount Everest
Lhotse, adjacent to Everest, is the world's fourth-highest mountain; climbers attempt its steep faces and expeditions use the Everest region's infrastructure and access routes.
Lhotse at a Glance#
About Lhotse#
Lhotse is a major Himalayan peak adjoining Mount Everest and reaches 8,516 metres, making it the fourth-highest mountain on Earth. The mountain’s South Face and close proximity to Everest make parts of its climbing route shared with the Everest South Col approach.
Lhotse is principally of interest to high-altitude climbers; there are no general tourist routes to the summit and access is via the Everest region. Its dramatic faces and high altitude present significant technical and objective challenges.
The mountain is in the Khumbu region of Nepal near the border with Tibet and forms part of the Everest massif, visible from many Everest base camp expedition routes.
- Height and relation to Everest: At 8,516 metres Lhotse is the world’s fourth-highest peak and shares part of its ridge with Mount Everest’s southern approaches.
How to Get to Lhotse#
Most approaches go through Kathmandu to Lukla (for trekkers heading into the Khumbu) and then over days of acclimatizing marches to reach higher camps; Lhotse attempts are staged from Everest Base Camp logistics.
Tips for Visiting Lhotse#
- Lhotse is usually approached as part of an Everest expedition; acclimatization rotations and acclimatization schedules should follow Himalayan standards.
- For trekkers who only want to see Lhotse, the Everest Base Camp trek provides dramatic views without technical climbing.
Best Time to Visit Lhotse#
Lhotse's best seasons coincide with Everest's: spring and autumn windows for climbers.
Weather & Climate near Lhotse#
Lhotse's climate is classified as Ice Cap - Ice Cap climate with freezing summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -34°C to -8°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -34° - -22° | -41° | 17 mm | some cloud | 54% | 6.6 m/s | 1.0 moderate | 10.5h |
| February | Poor | -33° - -22° | -43° | 14 mm | partly cloudy | 59% | 8.5 m/s | 1.3 high | 11.1h |
| March | Poor | -30° - -19° | -39° | 0 mm | partly cloudy | 65% | 9.4 m/s | 1.7 very high | 11.9h |
| April | Poor | -26° - -16° | -33° | 0 mm | partly cloudy | 68% | 7.3 m/s | 2.0 very high | 12.7h |
| May | Poor | -22° - -12° | -30° | 0 mm | overcast | 72% | 10.0 m/s | 2.0 extreme | 13.4h |
| June | Poor | -17° - -9° | -25° | 0 mm | overcast | 77% | 11.3 m/s | 1.9 very high | 13.7h |
| July | Poor | -15° - -8° | -22° | 102 mm | overcast | 83% | 9.0 m/s | 1.9 very high | 13.6h |
| August | Poor | -15° - -8° | -21° | 94 mm | overcast | 85% | 6.8 m/s | 1.9 very high | 13.0h |
| September | Poor | -17° - -10° | -24° | 48 mm | overcast | 82% | 8.1 m/s | 1.7 very high | 12.2h |
| October | Poor | -23° - -15° | -31° | 24 mm | partly cloudy | 65% | 8.6 m/s | 1.6 very high | 11.4h |
| November | Poor | -29° - -19° | -36° | 2 mm | some cloud | 54% | 5.9 m/s | 1.1 high | 10.7h |
| December | Poor | -31° - -20° | -38° | 21 mm | some cloud | 48% | 6.1 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 10.3h |
