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Normal Route via the Lhotse Face and South Col

5A | TD | V Edit route
This is the standard and best-known route to Lhotse, shared with the Everest approach up to the South Col. It is a very high-altitude snow and ice route with major objective hazards, especially in the Khumbu Icefall and on the Lhotse Face.

Route Outline

Khumbu approach -> Everest Base Camp
Climb the Khumbu Icefall and Western Cwm to Camp II/III area
Ascend the Lhotse Face to the South Col
From the South Col, continue up the Lhotse summit route
Descend the same way

More routes on Lhotse

South Face

6B | ED2 | VII
The South Face is the classic and most famous route on Lhotse, a very large and serious Himalayan face with sustained steep snow and ice climbing. It is objectively hazardous because of avalanche danger, serac exposure, altitude, and the need for multiple high camps.
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West Face

6B | ED2 | VII
The West Face is a major alpine-style objective on Lhotse and is documented as a very difficult, serious line. It involves steep mixed climbing at extreme altitude, with objective hazards from icefall, avalanches, and severe weather.
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South Ridge

5B | TD+/ED1 | V/VI
The South Ridge is a documented route on Lhotse and is generally considered a very serious high-altitude ridge climb. It is less direct than the South Face but still exposed to extreme altitude, wind, and corniced ridge conditions.
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