In South America, a huge number of high mountains that every climber (and not only) wants to see and conquer. Some of them are notable for their history, others for their dangerous slopes. We bring to your attention a list of the 10 highest mountains of the American continent.
List
- 10. Tupungato, 6565 m
- 9. Yerupaha, 6635 m
- 8. Ljulyayljako, 6739 m
- 7. Tokorpuri, 6755 m
- 6. Mercedario, 6720 m
- 5. Huascaran, 6746m
- 4. Cerro Bonete, 6759 m
- 3. Monte Pissis, 6779 m
- 2. Ojos Del Salado, 6893 m
- 1. Aconcagua, 6962 m
10. Tupungato, 6565 m
Tupungato - This is a massive Andean stratovolcano of the Pleistocene era. It is located on the border between the Chilean region and the Argentine province of Mendoza, about 100 km south of Aconcagua, which in our selection is in 1st place. In the southwest is the active Tupungatito volcano (literally translated as “little Tupungato”) which last erupted in 1987.
An interesting and sad fact: On August 2, 1947, the Star Dust airliner, carrying six passengers and five crew members over the Andes, crashed into a steep glacier on the Argentine side of the mountain. The plane was buried as a result of an avalanche and heavy snow, due to which it remained undetected for more than 50 years before its remains were finally discovered in 2000. Soon after, the expedition of the Argentine army found scattered debris, collecting some evidence to investigate the accident.
9. Yerupaha, 6635 m
This mountain is the highest catchment point of the Amazon River, as well as the second peak in Peru for this indicator. Jerupah - A peculiar crown of the Huaihuash massif in the Peruvian Andes. The massif is a small ridge with several peaks at an altitude of more than 6000 m.
Before Jim Maxwell and Dave Harra finally climbed him in 1950, Yerupaha was the highest unconquered peak outside of Asia. Sixteen years will pass before the mountain sees another successful bid for climbing, this time by Jorge Peterek and the Canadian Leif Patterson.
Like all the peaks of the ridge, Yerupakha rises in the form of an almost vertical wall of stone and overhanging ice. She also has a sharp-edged top blade draped in the beautiful but brittle snow caps that are so common in this ridge. It is not surprising that thanks to the combination of these natural defenses and heights, the mountain is so rarely conquered.
8. Ljulyayljako, 6739 m
Sleeping stratovolcano with an unpronounceable name Lulhaillaco It is the second largest volcano in the world and is located in a remote part of the region on the border between Chile and Argentina. Scientists recognize the two main evolutionary stages in the history of Ljulyayljako and call it the hereditary volcano, whose history goes back to the Pleistocene.
Currently, it is represented by two deeply eroded cones and connected lava flows, some of which are up to 20 km long and are distributed mainly in the west.
There are reports of eruptions in 1854, 1868 and 1877. It is possible that they led to extremely young lava flows that are striking because of their very low albedo and untouched structure.
7. Tokorpuri, 6755 m
Volcanic complex Tokorpuri located along the border between Bolivia and Chile. The volcano consists of andesitic lava flows with a certain amount of pyroclastics, which form a crater on top of a peak 1.4 km wide. The rounded dome is a business card of Tokorpuri, attracting the eyes of tourists.
6. Mercedario, 6720 m
Mercedario - This is a unique place for those who want to discover the mountains. It is located in the Ramada (Andes) mountain range, and consists of six peaks, each of which is more than 6,000 thousand meters high with the highest point on Mercedario.
It was first conquered in 1934, the second time - only after 34 years (they conquered the southern part). In 1971, the Austrian expedition managed to climb the mountain from the north, and the most difficult southwest ridge fell under the onslaught of climbers in 1983, that is, almost 50 years after the first climb and the “discovery” of the mountain by climbers.
5. Huascaran, 6746m
Huascaran rises in the province of Yungai in the ridge of the Cordillera Blanca in Peru. It is known primarily for its lethality: on May 31, 1970, an earthquake in Ankasha led to the collapse of a significant part of the northern part of the mountain. The avalanche mass, estimated at 80 million cubic meters of ice, mud and stones, moved about 18 km at an average speed of 280 to 335 km / h, burying the cities of Yungai and Ranrahirka and killing more than 20,000 people. This is not the only such case: more than 60,000 people died from avalanches caused by earthquakes.
4. Cerro Bonete, 6759 m
First of all, let's clarify what kind of Cerro Bonet we are talking about, because in Argentina there are at least four mountains with the same name: Cerro Bonet in Mendoza, Cerro Bonet Chico in La Rioja (located in Pune de Atacama near Mount Pissis) , Cerro Bonet Grande in La Rioja (also located in Pune de Atacama) and finally Cerro Bonet in Rio Negro with a height of 6759 m
The mountain is the third largest peak in the Nahuel Huapi National Park and rises in the heart of the park, above Lago Azul and Lago Creton. Climbing to the top is not very difficult, but it involves considerable preparation and careful choice of route.
3. Monte Pissis, 6779 m
Monte Pissis in height it occupies the 3rd line in South America, and is also the 2nd in the world among volcanoes. It has four distinct peaks, three of which are almost the same height.
The peak in the west is considered the highest, and it was first climbed in 1937 by Osecki and Schepanski, two Polish climbers who climbed many peaks that year. Although, some of the local climbers doubt that the Poles climbed the mountain, because they always marked the peak that they climbed, but on Monte Pissis they did not find a single trace of their stay.
Until 1997, it was difficult to even reach the peak, since it is located quite far in the desert, but when a mine was opened nearby, a primitive road was built. The mountain is named after the French scientist Pierre Joseph Pissis.
2. Ojos Del Salado, 6893 m
The second highest in South America and the first in Chile - these are the regalia Ojos Del Salado. Moreover, it is also the highest volcano in the world. Peaks are located on the border between Chile and Argentina in the Atacama region.
From December to March, the warmest and, therefore, the most suitable months for climbing to the top. Some climbers prefer to go later, because it is easier to find water then, although it has never been a big problem, since there is a lot of snow on the top and even a small stream on the north side. In the southern reaches, it is even easier to find water, snow and ice.
1. Aconcagua, 6962 m
And here is the leader that we have already mentioned. The mountain is interesting not only as an object for climbing, but as a historical place: for the Incas Aconcagua was a sacred mountain. As in other mountains (for example, Ampato), places of worship were built here and sacrifices were made, including human ones. Places discovered in 1985 at an altitude of 5167 m are one of the highest and most inaccessible of all that this civilization has visited.
In the stone walls were found the remains of a child lying on the grass, fabric and feathers (the mummy of Aconcagua). Clothing indicates that the child was a member of the higher social class. Other suggestions found included figures and even coca leaves.