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Eight-thousanders compared

Kanchenjunga vs Cho Oyu

Kanchenjunga (8,586 m, world #3) and Cho Oyu (8,188 m, world #6) compared side by side — height, first ascent and danger. Kanchenjunga is 398 m taller.

KanchenjungaCho Oyu
Height8,586 m8,188 m
World rank#3#6
RangeKangchenjunga HimalMahalangur Himal
LocationTaplejung, KoshiSolukhumbu, Koshi
BorderNepal–India (Sikkim) borderNepal–China (Tibet) border
First ascent25 May 195519 October 1954
First climbersGeorge Band & Joe Brown (UK); Norman Hardie & Tony Streather the next dayHerbert Tichy, Josef Jöchler (Austria) & Pasang Dawa Lama (Nepal)
Standard routeSouthwest Face (Yalung side, Nepal)Northwest Ridge from Tibet (the usual commercial route); Nepal-side routes are far harder
DangerHistorically among the deadlier 8000ers; Himalayan Database-derived estimates put the fatality rate near 9–12% of summits (compilations ≈2024).Fatality rate ≈1.4% of summits — statistically the safest eight-thousander (Himalayan Database-derived compilations).
Questions

Kanchenjunga vs Cho Oyu, answered

Is Kanchenjunga taller than Cho Oyu?+

Kanchenjunga stands 8,586 m and Cho Oyu 8,188 m, so Kanchenjunga is 398 m taller. Kanchenjunga is the world's 3th-highest mountain and Cho Oyu the 6th.

Which was climbed first, Kanchenjunga or Cho Oyu?+

Kanchenjunga was first summited on 25 May 1955; Cho Oyu on 19 October 1954.

Which is more dangerous, Kanchenjunga or Cho Oyu?+

Kanchenjunga: Historically among the deadlier 8000ers; Himalayan Database-derived estimates put the fatality rate near 9–12% of summits (compilations ≈2024). Cho Oyu: Fatality rate ≈1.4% of summits — statistically the safest eight-thousander (Himalayan Database-derived compilations).

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Sources & data note

Heights follow the 2020 Nepal–China Everest survey and UIAA figures. Ascent and fatality statistics derive from the Himalayan Database (via Alan Arnette, 2026) and reported press figures; see each peak's profile for full sourcing.