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South Face

6B | ED2 | VII Edit route
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.

Route Outline

Lukla/Khumbu approach -> Everest Base Camp area
Advance to the Lhotse South Face base and establish high camps
Climb the South Face through the central couloir system and steep snow/ice slopes
Gain the South Col area and continue on the standard upper mountain line to the summit
Descend by the same route

More routes on Lhotse

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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Normal Route via the Lhotse Face and South Col

5A | TD | V
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.
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