Mount Chimborazo is Actually the Highest Point on Earth - Condé Nast Traveler Mount Chimborazo is Actually the Highest Point on Earth Share via Pinterest Despite misconceptions, Mount Chimborazo is higher than Mount Everest. If there’s one thing everyone knows about mountains—and given the state of geography education today, that may be a pretty accurate estimate—it’s that Mount Everest, in the Himalayas, is the Earth’s highest point. But what if it wasn’t? What if Everest, with its famous 29,029-foot peak, was actually dwarfed by a mountain you’ve probably never even heard of, an Ecuadorian volcano called Chimborazo? View Mount Chimborazo in a larger map Mount Chimborazo is an Andean stratovolcano in central Ecuador, looming so impressively over the country that, on a clear day, you can see it all the way from the large port city of Guayaquil, 90 miles away. Chimborazo is Ecuador’s highest point, but in terms of elevation, it’s far from the highest peak in the Andes.

In fact, there are almost 40 more impressive mountains in South America, many of which (like Aconcagua, the continent’s highest peak) are located farther south, near the Chile-Argentina border. So how is the 30-somethingth highest mountain in the Andes simultaneously the highest point on Earth? The central problem here is that Pythagoras, Columbus, and your elementary school teachers were all wrong: Earth isn’t really round. Well, it’s round-ish, but it’s not a sphere. The combined effects of gravity and rotational centrifugal force have pushed the Earth’s mass outward around its middle. Imagine hula-hooping for a few hours after a big Thanksgiving dinner and you’ll get the idea. The resulting shape is often called an “oblate ellipsoid”: slightly flatter at the poles and bulgier at the equator than you’d expect. This bulge isn’t huge—a deviation of about one part in 300 from a perfect sphere—but it’s enough to mess with cartography. Chimborazo tops out at 20,702 feet, almost two miles lower than Everest. But that’s only compared to sea level.

If we take the equatorial bulge into account—in other words, if we measure what peak is farthest from the center of the Earth—Chimborazo sticks more than 7,000 feet farther into space than any of the Himalayas do, since they’re located thousands of miles north of the Equator. So, to quote Obi-Wan Kenobi, “what I told you was true—from a certain point of view.” Hawaiians are quick to point out that Mauna Kea, the volcano that forms the peak of the state’s big island, is also taller than Everest—if you measure from its base. Everest only rises about 13,000 feet above its base, less than half of Mauna Kea’s 33,000-foot rise. The problem, of course, is that the Hawaiian mountain’s “base camp” sleeps with the fishes at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. Give Mauna Kea a fair start by moving it to the Himalayas, and it would be by far the highest peak on Earth.

Facts About Chimborazo — Highest Mountain in Ecuador Elevation: 20,561 feet (6,267 meters) Prominence: 13,527 feet (4,123 meters) Location: Cordillera Occidental, Andes Mountains, Ecuador. Coordinates: 1° 28' S / 78° 49' W First Ascent: Edward Whymper, Louis Carrel, and Jean-Antoine Carrel, 1880. Fast Facts: Chimborazo, with an elevation rise of 13,527 feet (4,123 meters), is the 16th most prominent mountain in the world and the highest mountain in Ecuador . It’s the highest mountain north of Peru in South America and the highest mountain in the Americas north of Peru. Denali, North America's highest mountain, is 241 feet lower than Chimborazo. Chimborazo is a dormant stratovolcano that last erupted around 640 AD (+/-500 years), or about 1,400 years ago.

At least seven eruptions have occurred over the last 8,000 years. The volcano had a major collapse about 35,000 years ago, with major debris avalanches sweeping down the mountain and damming the Rio Chambo and forming a temporary lake. Chimborazo has a circumference of 78 miles and a diameter of 30 miles. Its crater is 820 feet deep and has a surface diameter of 1,600 feet. Chimborazo has four major summits—20,561-foot (6,267-meter) Veintemilla; 20,702-foot (6,310-meter) Whymper, the highest point; 19,094-foot (5,820 meters) Politecnica; and 18,274-foot (5,570-meter) Nicolas Martínez, named for the father of Ecuadorian mountaineering. continue reading below our video What Size Bike Should I Buy?

While the summit of Mount Everest is the highest point on the Earth above sea level, the summit of Chimborazo is the farthest place on the surface of the Earth from its exact center, a distance of 3,968 miles (6,384.4 kilometers). It’s important to remember that the Earth is not a perfect sphere but instead bulges out at its equator. Chimborazo is only one degree south of the equator, while Mount Everest is 28 degrees north. Chimborazo’s summit is 2.1 kilometers farther from the Earth’s center than Everest. Chimborazo’s upper elevations are covered with glaciers . The glaciers have slowly decreased in size over the last fifty years due to global warming and falling ash from the active volcano Tungurahua, which falls on the glaciers, warms in sunlight, and melts the snow. The glaciers, providing water for Ecuadorans, are also mined for ice which is sold in markets. The exact origin of Chimborazo’s name is murky.

Some linguists say it combines schingbu, which means “women” in the Cayapa language, with razo, which is Quichua or “snow,” resulting in “Women of Snow.” Local natives call it Urcorazo or “Mountain of Ice,” combining the Quichua urco, meaning “mountain,” with razo, meaning “snow” or “ice.” SAETA Flight 232, a Vickers Viscount carrying four crew and 55 passengers, disappeared on a Quito to Cuenca flight in August, 1976. The crashed plane was found 26 years later in October, 2002 at 18,000 feet (5,400 meters) by a team of Ecuadorian climbers on the Integral route up Chimborazo’s east side. The bodies of the 59 people were recovered.

Explorer Baron Alexander von Humboldt , Aime Goujaud AKA Bonpland, and Carlos Montufar made the first known attempt to climb Chimborazo in 1802, reaching a high point of 19,286 feet (5,878 meters) before turning around at an “insurmountable cleft” with altitude sickness. Edward Whymper , who made the first ascent of The Matterhorn , made the first ascent of Chimborazo with Italian guides Louis and Jean-Antoine Carrel up the Southwest Ridge in 1880. They were the first Europeans to summit a mountain higher than 20,000 feet. After his ascent was disputed, Whymper returned with David Beltran and Francisco Javier Campaña and climbed a new route to the summit that same year. The worst accident in Ecuadoran mountaineering history occurred on November 10, 1993 on Chimborazo’s upper slopes.

Three parties, two descending and one ascending, were on the steep snow slopes below the Veintemilla summit when the slope avalanched , sweeping and burying ten climbers—six French, two Ecuadorans, one Swiss, and one Chilean—into a crevasse at 18,700 feet. Over 20 mountain guides searched Chimbo for 10 days to recover the bodies. Climbing Chimborazo Chimborazo is heavily glaciated and subject to severe weather and avalanches . Most parties that attempt the mountain turn around because of heavy snow and avalanche danger. Conditions vary on the mountain depending on snow conditions. If little snow has fallen, expect sections of hard snow and ice that require frontpointing with your crampons . Heavy snow increases avalanche danger. El Castillo Route The El Castillo Route (Grade II/PD) is the standard normal route used by most climbers to ascend Chimborazo. The route ascends 4,250 feet (1,300 meters) up the west side of the mountain. Normal ascent time is between eight and 12 hours to the Whymper summit. Descent takes three to five hours. Route trip time is 12 to 16 hours.

Start at night so most of the climbing is done before sunrise when the snow warms up and begins avalanching and rockfall danger increases. The route is usually climbed December to February and June to September. Whymper Hut to Veintimilla The route begins at the Whymper Hut and climbs northwest up scree and then rocky mixed terrain to a saddle above El Castillo, a prominent castle-shaped rock outcrop. This section has rockfall danger. From the saddle, climb a glacial ridge northeast and east to the Veintimilla summit. Much of the ridge is steep (30 to 40 degrees) with crevasses. This section can be very dangerous with new and soft snow on it. On to Whymper Summit Many climbers turn around atop Veintimilla. It is 0.6 mile (1 kilometer) from Veintimilla Summit to Whymper Summit with an elevation loss of 165 feet. It takes 30 minutes to an hour to cross the wide snow-filled basin between the two peaks, depending on snow conditions. Deep snow usually blankets the basin, which becomes a nightmare of thigh-deep slogging in the afternoon or after snowfall.

Plan on doing this section early in the day when its surface is crusted. Climbing Guides to Chimborazo Ecuador Climbing and Hiking Guide by Rob Rachowiecki and Mark Thurber. Ecuador: A Climbing Guide by Yossi Brain. South America Highpoints : Climbing, Hiking & Mountaineering : SummitPost South America Highpoints Object Title: South America Highpoints Created/Edited: Feb 3, 2012 / Apr 5, 2013 Object ID: 774753 Page Score: 86.85% - 23 Votes Loading... Tweet Well...here we have some great mountains of South America. This continent has a lot to show you and believe me, you can be amazed by its fantastic landescapes and high mountains. Some mountains are not listed here because there is no page on SummitPost for them yet, but as soon as someone does it, I'll update the page so we can enjoy a complete page with a complete list. Summits Table ARGENTINA 01 - Cerro Aconcágua - 6.962 m.

(22.841 ft) Aconcagua is the highest mountain in the Western hemisphere, located in western Argentina, near the Chile border. There are about 3,500 climbers trying the summit each year (info from 2002). The 'Normal Route' is non-technical - a walk-up, following the Northwest Ridge. It is the altitude that poses the most problem. That and the sense that this is an easy climb. Every year people die because they underestimate the task at hand...Keep reading about it on the mountain page on SP . One of the most popular climbs in the owrld. WORK IN PROGRESS CHILE 02 - Ojos Del Salado volcano - 6.893 m. (22.615 ft) The highest volcano on earth is also the highest point in Chile and second in South America. As the volcanic activity is quite recent, it´s classified as a neovolcano and there are still minor activity on the peak. Larger amounts of sulfuric gases and vapor were seen as late as 1994, but normally a faint smell och sulfur is the only sign of volcanic activity on the peak.

Ojos del Salado is a border mountain and can be climbed from both Argetina and Chile. If you don´t like red tape, a hefty peak fee and bureaucracy, Argentina is the place to go for. If you rather pay a bit, prefer to travel high on the mountain in a jeep...Keep reading about it on the mountain page on SP . Not very popular yet, and that is a good thing. PERU 03 - Huascaran Sur - 6.746 m. (22.132 ft) Together with Chopicalqui, the twin summits of Huascarán form the Huascarán massif. Huascarán Sur is the highest mountain in the Cordillera Blanca as well as in the whole of Peru, and consequently quite popular. The south summit is 91 meters higher than its (much less frequented) northern twin. The saddle between them, Garganta, lies at 6010m...Keep reading about it on the mountain page on SP . Dangerous mountain, often climbed. BOLIVIA 04 - Sajama volcano - 6.542 m.

(21.463 ft) Sajama is Bolivia's highest mountain (by about 100m) - an extinct volcano situated in the eponymous Sajama National Park, on Bolivia's South-Western border with Chile. The volcano has been (fortunately!) extinct for the past 10,000 years. The summit is covered by a permanent ice cap hiding all trace of any volcanic crater...Keep reading about it on the mountain page on SP . Very, very cold mountain. Reports of 40°C below zero at worst case scenario. ECUADOR 05 - Chimborazo volcano - 6.310 m. (20.702 ft) Longtime considered as the highest mountain on the planet, Chimborazo was dethroned by the Himalayan and Peruvian peaks. Nevertheless, considering the geometry of the Earth, this summit is known as the farthest point from its center (see section below for full explanation). This huge mountain is the highest point in Ecuador. It has five summits, the highest culminating at 6,310 meters (20,702 ft.). There are many routes up its slopes.

The normal route runs up the Southwest flank and is a variation of the original Whymper route...Keep reading about it on the mountain page on SP . Also often climbed, very popular mountain in South America and "most wanted" in Ecuador along with Cotopaxi volcano. COLOMBIA The highest Peak in Colombia is in debate. Cristobal Colon Peak, forbidden to climb as a sacred mountain. Or maybe Simón Bolivar Peak, also forbidden to climb for the very same reason. 06 - Cristobal Colon has 5.775 meters high (18.497 ft), and it doesn't have a mountain page here on SP. 06 - Simón Bolivar has 5.775 meters high (18.497 ft), and it doesn't have a mountain page here on SP. Both altitudes are questionable since no one (not even locals) have climbed these mountains for over 20 years. To read more, an article I wrote here on summitpost: VENEZUELA The highest point of Venezuela is Bolivar Peak. In fact, there was a mountain page online here at SP but I can't find it, maybe the owner deleted it.

07 - It has 4.981 meters high (16.342 ft), and it doesn't have a mountain page here on SP. Altough, there is still a route page for the north face of Bolivar Peak available here on SP, check it on: BRAZIL 08 - Neblina Peak - 2.994 m. (9.823 ft) Pico da Neblina (Fog Peak) is the highest mountain in Brazil, 2.994 meters above sea level, in the Imeri mountain range (Serra do Imeri), a section of the Guiana Highlands on the Brazil-Venezuela border. As determined by a border survey expedition in 1962, its summit lies barely within Brazilian territory, at a horizontal distance of a mere 687 m from the Venezuelan border at Pico 31 de Março. The latter peak is only 21 metres lower and Brazil's second highest mountain. The word neblina means "fog" in Portuguese; so, the peak's name (meaning "Peak of the Mists") reflects that it is shrouded in dense clouds most of the time.

It was first ascended in 1965 by members of a Brazilian Army expedition...Keep reading about it on the mountain page on SP . Its Park is currently closed for visitors. Every now and then people get stuck at indians's hands, dangerous to try it without a guide. GUYANA 09 - Mount Roraima - 2.810 m. (9.219 ft) Roraima is an interesting mountain located in the Guiana Highlands. The peak actually shares the border with Venezuela, Brazil, and Guyana, but the mountain is almost always approached from the Venezuela side. The Brazil and Guyana sides are much more difficult. The Guiana Highlands is a very unusual mountain range covering parts of Venezuela, Brazil, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana. The highlands are made of ancient sedimentary rock that is over two billion years old and are some of the oldest sedimentary rocks on the planet...Keep reading about it on the mountain page on SP . Often hiked by hundreds and maybe thousands of people every year, but you can't do it alone, travel agency service is demanded. SURINAME The highest point of Suriname is Juliana Hill (aka Juliana top).

10 - It has 1.280 meters high (4.199 ft), and it doesn't have a mountain page here on SP. Rob (SPer RGG) did a small research on this particular mountain, and here's some thoughts of his: The research taught me that Julianatop is located in the Wilhelmina mountains. The source of these two names is obvious: Wilhelmina was queen of The Netherlands from 1990 until 1948, when she was succeeded by her daughter Juliana who reigned until 1980. Perhaps the mountain had received a name by the indigenous population before the Dutch colonized it, but if it did, I didn'tfind it. The Wilhelmina mountains lie deep in the jungle in the middle of the country and the summits are still covered by dense jungle. Google terrain view places the summit of Julianatop at 3.683°N / 56.535°W. The jungle makes it very hard to get there and consequently the mountain sees very few attempts. Several sources claim that the summit is 1230m high, not 1280m.

A very short article in Wikipedia.nl states 1280m (retrieved on 6 February 2012), but as source it refers to the "Wereld Bosatlas", a popular Dutch atlas, but notoriously unreliable for elevations. For example, my copy of the Bosatlas (from 1997) states that La Neblina is 3100m, and Illimani 6882m! So, forget Wikipedia. Google Maps shows a contour of 1220m around the summit, but that's not decisive. Small and pointy summits are not captured very well by the SRTM data on which Google Maps is primarily based, and I don't know how steep it really is, so it could still be 1280m high. A bit more research, or perhaps an email to the appropriate Surinam institute, might resolve this. Some useful references I found were Julianatop on Peakbagger, a very short trip report (in Dutch), and a longer and well written article (also in Dutch) claiming the first ascent as late as 2011! Their GPS measured 1257m on the summit.

I have some doubts as to whether it this was indeed the first ascent, meaning that all others before climbed the wrong peak, but I can imagine how this could happen. The range being covered by jungle makes it difficult to see anything from the summits. These days, we are blessed with GPS, altimeters and Google maps to help us out, but before that, I imagine it would be hard to know an exact location in the jungle, and from any of the other summits it would have been very difficult to know if it was the highest or not. FRENCH GUYANA The highest point of French Guyana is Bellevue de l'Inini. 11 - It has 851 meters high (2.792 ft), and it doesn't have a mountain page here on SP. PS: French Guyana is not listed as a country in SP. PARAGUAY The highest point of Paraguay Cerro Tres Kandu. 12 - It has 842 meters high (2.762 ft), and it doesn't have a mountain page here on SP. URUGUAI 13 - Cerro Catedral - 514 m.

(1.686 ft) Cerro Catedral is the country highpoint of Uruguay. The nation officially named the República Oriental del Uruguay is not known for its mountains. In fact, Cerro Catedral is the lowest country highpoint in South America. Uruguay is perhaps best known for itsgaucho culture, the asado, and yerba mate. The gaucho is essentially the South American version of a cowboy. An asado is simply a barbeque, generally involving good quality local meat and wine. Keep reading about it on the mountain page on SP . External Links A brazilian website to get mountains info, including gps files to download: My youtube channel: - Now with 250+ videos online! The biggest brazilian website about climbing and mountaineering, for which I'm a columnist: Additions and Corrections Ecuador Mountains: Don't Miss the Ten Highest If you are checking out the capital city see Things to Do and See in Quito . 3. Cayambe Located in located in the Cordillera Oriental, a branch of the Ecuadorian Andes, it is only a short distance from Quito.

Its permanent snow cap is divided by the equator making it both the highest location that intersects the equator as well as the only place covered by snow. Travelers here revel knowing it's also the only place on earth where both temperature and latitude reach zero degrees. 4. Antisana Antisana is considered a feat to accomplish due to its unique surface conditions. The glaciers on the East are bigger and longer than most due to the weather from the Amazon basin, creating steep slopes and many crevasses that can be difficult to climb. It is considered to be one of the most technically challenging climbs in Ecuador and not for beginners. 5. El Altar Once the largest volcano in the world, Inca legends suggest after an eruption in 1460 the volcano collapsed. The dramatic ring of nine peaks and mountain slopes signal this to be true. Reflecting its great size, the Quichua name is Capac Urcu, translated as magnificent mountain. However, Spanish settlers renamed it El Altar for its resemblance to two nuns and four friars listening to a bishop around a church altar. Image ©Jo Simon. Image ©Jo Simon 6.

Iliniza Sur Iliniza Sur and Norte are often discussed together and known as the twin mountains, are only a kilometer apart. However, the geography of the two are not identical. Ilinizas Sur is permanently covered in snow and its glacier makes it one of the more difficult climbs and can be steep. The glacier has been receeding dramatically due to a warmer climate and less rainfall and it's feared that the glacier will disappear in 15-20 years. 7. Sangay The most vocal of the group, Sangay was once erupting every ten minutes but slowed down after an earthquake in 1987 to every half hour, dispersing thick ash clouds. Although it is the most active, it is very isolated. It takes 7 days of trekking through the rainforest to reach it and only one night to reach the summit. It is located in Sangay National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site along with El Altar and Tungurahua. Learn more about Ecuador's rainforest . 8. Iliniza Norte Considered the easier climb of the twin mountains, hikers often use it to acclimatize in preparation for Cotopaxi, Chimborazo and Cayambe.

While Iliniza Sur is considered only for experienced climbers, Iliniza Norte is suitable for those with less experience. However as guide is recommended as the mountain is changing and can be difficult when it occasionally gets snow and ice, Image ©Marriedwithluggage. Image ©Marriedwithluggage 9. Tungurahua Meaning Throat of Fire in Quichua, Tungurahua has been quite active in recent years, including a major eruption in April 2011. Located just outside Baños, it has been a favorite for adventure seekers but due to recent activity climbers have been advised not to ascend the volcano. Prior to the eruptions Tungurahua was a volcano of contradictions as some said it was very difficult and others very easy. The truth is that it is a combination of both. While the beginning is a very comfortable hike, its snow covered summit can be difficult with sporadic snowstorms and often requiring crampons and ice picks. Learn more about Baños . 10. Carihuairazo The smallest of the big ten, Carihuairazo often gets overlooked because it's so close to Chimborazo.

An inactive volcano, its last eruptions destroyed the peak and left a large caldera. The summit is usually covered with ice and makes a great acclimization climb for its bigger brothers as it's an easy climb to become comfortable with glacier equipment. It's glacier has suffered from global warming and ash coverage from the recent eruptions of Tungurahua. Horseback riding is also a popular activity on the mountain at the lower altitudes. Chimborazo : Climbing, Hiking & Mountaineering : SummitPost Chimborazo Southwest Face. Boriss Andean The Normal route sees many attempts all year long and is considered a class 4 climb with route finding and crevasses crossing. There are two refuges on the mountain, Carrel refuge at 4,800 m (15,744 ft.) and Whymper refuge at 5,000 m (16,400 ft.) where most of the parties do their summit bid from. It is a 6-9 hours climb with slopes up to 60 degrees.

People usually start their climb one or two hours before midnight and return to the hut a couple hours before noon in order to avoid rock fall danger caused by sun hit at the glacier entrance known as “El Corredor”. There is some discussion about the actual height of the summit: There is some debate on the actual height of the mountain. In 1993 members of the School of Military Survey in Newbury, United Kingdom measured Chimborazo's altitude with the use of a differencial GPS and got a measurement of 6,268 m. It is claimed they reached Cumbre Veintimilla (under foggy conditions) or the second highest summit which actually has that altitude. In a clear day Cumbre Whymper or Maxima is located in the back of it (visible from Cumbre Veintimilla only) and it can be reached after descending and traversing a couple hundred meters in east direction. However, at the moment, the most accepted official height is 6268M. Getting There From the new Terminal de buses Quitumbe located at the south of Quito, take any of the southbound buses to Riobamba (USD.

3,75 – 3:30 hours). From Terminal Terrestre de Riobamba take one of the several buses that go to Guaranda, but ask the driver to drop you off at Chimborazo entrance (there's a signed turnoff for the Chimborazo refuges). It is located 30 minutes after passing the town of San Juan. Chimborazo and its five summits josef-ecuador La Reserva de Producción Faunistíca Chimborazo gets its name for the hundreds of vicuñas that can be seen poking around in the area. They were imported from Chile in 1980 and are a protected specie of the Andes You can also hire a taxi cab (USD 20,00) for the drive to the trailhead, 1/2 hour away from the Whymper Hut. Starting your trip from Ambato (1 hour before Riobamba) is not advisable. You will have to take a bus to Guaranda and stop at “El Arenal” where buses passing by the trailhead aren’t too frequent and the risk of getting robbed is high. There’ve been reports of robbery lately in this area.

Once at the entrance of the park it is a matter of luck how fast/ for how much $$ you can get to the lower hut. In high season there might be pick up trucks/buses going up to pick other trekkers/climbers. Note: As January 2012, the terminal in Riobamba is under construction and the improvised terminal is a little bit of a mess. None of the buses are letting passengers off at the park entrance, including the Flota Bolivar that goes to Guaranda. However, it's possible to take a bus and get dropped off at the Reserve entrance if you don't mention it before buying your ticket to Guaranda. Taxis from Riobamba cost USD. 35.00 one way. Thanks Socorro for the updates! Chimborazo summit. Bob Dawson Red Tape  Starting Nov.12 2012 nobody is allowed to climb any glaciated mountain in Ecuador without hiring an accredited mountain guide. This restriction was issued by Ecuadorian Goverment after the last fatal accidents that happened in 2012 in Illiniza Sur and Norte.  There are not fees to enter Chimborazo Reserve.

 No parking fees High Camp beyond El Castillo. andre hangaard Chimborazo summit. Boriss Andean Chimborazo is climbable year round however, the best climbing months are June and July and December through early January. February through May is known for bad weather, especially in the month of April. Make sure you start before midnight so you'll be back before 10 am at the latest, for two reasons: First, rock fall hazard. The part of the route along The Castle, a large rock wall about one hour from the Refugio Whymper, gets dangerous around that time. Lots of small and large rocks start to fall down then from this high wall due to warming temperatures. Passing this area (El Corredor) later in the afternoon is really running between falling rocks. Secondly, clouds will most often roll in early in the afternoon, making route finding very difficult. As there are big areas of crevasses on both sides of the normal route, losing track can be very dangerous. Camping Refugio Whymper (5000m) on the Chimborazo normal route.

Boriss Andean IMPORTANT UPDATE: **** AS MARCH 2016 WHYMPER AND CARREL REFUGES ARE CURRENTLY OPEN TO VISITORS AND CLIMBERS AFTER A YEAR OF REMODELING. **** As I said earlier, most parties climb directly from the Whymper refuge (5,000 m / 16,400 ft.). It provides bunk-beds (4 dozens), brand new mattresses, toilets, cold water, basic food supplies, stencils, gas stove, fireplace and ... cable TV (just kidding!) . At the moment overnight costs in Whymper refuge is USD. 15.00 a night for a bed and USD. 30.00 with meals. The refuge is partially open You can find the same facilities and costs in the Carrel refuge (4,800 m / 15,744 ft.) as well. This refuge is completely open with 52 beds. Your climb will have to start an hour earlier, though. What else do you need?

Camping is also allowed anywhere on the mountain and some parties make a high camp to cut the summit push in two days which, I think, increases your chances to make it to the summit. The most recommendable are: El Castillo high camp, lays in the hollow of a bowl, just a few meters beyond the rock outcrop and at the left side (north) of the Southwest ridge (the normal route). Not advisable if there’s fresh snow accumulation on the first dome. This camp can get pummeled at least by the windblast of avalanches coming from above. Moraine camp, located 10 minutes away from Whymper refuge at 5,050 m. There’s a wide flat field in this area. Make sure you set camp away from the moraines and the Thielman glacier. More information about the refuges here Climbing Routes V J. Anhalzer, R. Cardenas, R. Navarrete 1983 The hardest route put up so far. The first 2/3 of the route is entirely rock. Requires 2 days. 3300 Feet. Ascent History The following is a brief overview of the history of Chimborazo ascents.

I have tried to hit the highlights. 1802-French climber Aime Bonpland and German climber Alexander von Humbolt reach a height of 19,300ft before being stopped by an "insurmountable cleft". 1880-The first ascent of the mountain by Italian J.A Carrel and British climber E. Whymper via the South West Ridge. 1968-An American/German team summited the technically challenging North Ridge via the Abraspungo Glacier. 1980-In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the first ascent, a large hut was opened below the South West Ridge close to the foot of the Thielmann Glacier. This hut named Refugio Whymper is now used by a lot of ascent parties as "base camp". 1993-One of the worst accidents in the history of climbing in Ecuador occured on the upper slopes of the mountain. 13 people were caught in an avalanche high on the mountain resulting in 10 deaths. Farthest from the Earths Center??? As stated in the Overview, Chimborazo's summit is the farthest point one can get from the center of the Earth and still be on land.

It is about 2160m farther from the center than Everest's summit. This is only possible because the Earth is in the shape of an oblate spheroid, i.e., it is flattened (squashed) at the poles and bulging at the equator. Here is a diagram (based on Klenke 's Excel spreadsheet). His spreadsheet can calculate the distance from the center of the earth for any point on the Earth's surface (of known elevation above sea level). If you are really into math ... here is a link to show you how this is all done: CLICK HERE The Tallest Mountain On Earth Isn’t Everest The Tallest Mountain On Earth Isn’t Everest EMAIL Mount Everest may be the highest mountain to climb in the world, but it’s actually not the tallest mountain on Earth. According to a recent New York Times report, that designation belongs to Ecuador’s Mount Chimborazo. Mount Everest may be the highest mountain to climb in the world, but it’s actually not the tallest mountain on Earth. According to a recent New York Times report, that designation belongs to Ecuador’s Mount Chimborazo.

While it is around 8,500 feet shorter than Everest when measured from sea level--20,500 feet versus just over 29,000 feet--the South American peak’s distance of nearly 4,000 miles from the Earth’s center far surpasses its Himalayan counterpart. The reason for this disparity is because Earth isn’ READ MORE Global Volcanism Program | Chimborazo 2,325,666 Geological Summary Glacier-clad, 6310-m-high Chimborazo, Ecuador's highest volcano, anchors the southern end of the country's "Avenue of Volcanoes" 30 km NW of the city of Riobamba. The dominantly andesitic-to-dacitic structure is mostly of Pliocene-to-Pleistocene age. The volcano collapsed about 35,000 years ago, producing a major debris avalanche, whose deposits underlie Riobamba and temporarily dammed the Río Chambo, producing an ephemeral lake. Subsequent eruptions have been dominantly andesitic and constructed three edifices along an east-west line, the youngest and westernmost of which forms the current summit of Chimborazo.

Although activity was at one time thought to have ceased during the very latest Pleistocene, recent work indicates that it erupted more than a half dozen times during the Holocene, producing pyroclastic surges that reached down to 3800 m elevation. References The following references have all been used during the compilation of data for this volcano, it is not a comprehensive bibliography. Barba D, 2004. (pers. comm.). Barba D, Robin C, Samaniego P, Eissen J-P, 2008. Holocene recurrent explosive activity at Chimborazo volcano (Ecuador). J Volc Geotherm Res, 176: 27-35. Beate B, Salgado R, 2005. Geothermal country update for Ecuador, 2000-2005. Proc World Geotherm Cong 2005, Antalya, Turkey, 24-29 April 2005, 5 p. Beate B, von Hillebrandt-M C G, Hall M L, 1990.

Mapa de los peligros volcanicos potenciales asociados con el volcan Chimborazo. Inst Geof Escuela Politecnica Nac Ecuador, 1:50,000 map and text. Bernard B, van Wyk de Vries B, Barba D, Leyrit H, Robin C, Alcaraz S, Samaniego P, 2008. The Chimborazo sector collapse and debris avalanche: deposit characteristics as evidence of emplacment mechanisms. J Volc Geotherm Res, 176: 36-43. Clapperton C M, 1990. Glacial and volcanic geomorphology of the Chimborazo-Carihuairazo massif, Ecuadorian Andes. Trans Roy Soc Edinburgh: Earth Sci, 81: 91-116. Eissen J-P, Barba D, Bernard B, 2006. Chimborazo volcano: late Pleistocene and Holocene activity. Cities on Volcanoes 4, Quito, Ecuador, 23-27 Jan, 2006, Field trip A2: 1-23.

Hall M L, 1977. El Volcanismo en El Ecuador. Quito: Biblioteca Ecuador, 120 p. Hall M L, Wood C A, 1985. Volcano-tectonic segmentation of the northern Andes. Geology 13:203-207. IAVCEI, 1973-80. Post-Miocene Volcanoes of the World. IAVCEI Data Sheets, Rome: Internatl Assoc Volc Chemistry Earth's Interior.. Kilian R, Pichler H, 1987. El Chimborazo de Humboldt y el desarrollo de otros volcanes grandes en el Ecuador. In: {Investigaciones Alemanas Recientes en America Latina}, Bonn: Geol Deut Ferschungsgemeinschaft, p 25-34. Samaniego P, Eissen J-P, Le Pennec J-L, Hall M L, Monzier M, Mothes P, Ramon P, Robin C, Egred J, Molina I, Yepes H, 2003.

Los peligros volcanicos asociados con el Tungurahua. Inst Geofis Escuela Politecnica Nac, Inst Recherche Devel, 1: 1-108. Eruptive History Summary of Holocene eruption dates and Volcanic Explosivity Indices (VEI). Start Date The Global Volcanism Program has no synonyms or subfeatures listed for Chimborazo. Photo Gallery Clouds drape glacier-clad, 6310-m-high Chimborazo, Ecuador's highest volcano. Chimborazo anchors the southern end of the country's "Avenue of Volcanoes" 30 km NW of the city of Riobamba. The volcano is mostly of Pliocene-to-Pleistocene age, but recent work has shown that it remained active into the Holocene. The volcano is composed of three edifices along an east-west line, the youngest and westernmost of which forms the current summit of Chimborazo. Photo by Lee Siebert, 1978 (Smithsonian Insitution). Glacier-clad, 6310-m-high Chimborazo is Ecuador's highest volcano.

It is seen here from the NE with Carihuairazo volcano forming the lower, mostly snow-free peak to the left. The youngest and westernmost of three edifices constructed along an E-W line forms the current summit of Chimborazo. Although activity was once thought to have ceased during the very latest Pleistocene, recent work indicates that Chimborazo erupted several times during the Holocene. Photo by Patricio Ramon, 2004 (Instituto Geofisca, Escuela Politecnica Nacional). An erosional unconformity cutting diagonally across the center of the photo due to a glacial advance about 20,000-18,000 years ago separates two sequences of late-Pleistocene tephra layers from Ecuador's Chimborazo volcano. A less prominent unconformity below the light-colored tephra layer at the top of the sequence marks a 16,000-14,000 year old glacial advance. This ~12-m-thick exposure lies on the SW flank of Chimborazo, Ecuador's highest volcano. Photo by Lee Siebert, 2006 (Smithsonian Institution).

Smithsonian Sample Collections Database There are no samples for Chimborazo in the Smithsonian's NMNH Department of Mineral Sciences Rock and Ore collection . Affiliated Sites Ecuador's volcanoes: going high on the equator | OregonLive.com Ecuador's volcanoes: going high on the equator comments Terry RichardBob Breivogel iced in on Chimborazo. I had planned to travel to Africa this week to climb Kilimanjaro, highest peak on the continent, but I lost my chance when I injured a knee training. So here's a story about some climbs I did in Ecuador a few years back, where I reached a high point (on Chimborazo) that is about 400 feet higher than Kilimanjaro and a summit (Cotopaxi) that is seven feet higher. ANDEAN ENCOUNTER The wind was gusting to 40 mph and a thick layer of rime ice coated our jackets, ropes, headlamps and gloves. We had been climbing for six hours and still had a thousand feet to go before we would set foot on the top of Chimborazo , the highest summit in Ecuador.

Our climb had begun under brilliant starlight, giving newcomers to the Southern Hemisphere a first-time view of the Southern Cross. But as the hours progressed, we had slowly worked our way into a wind-formed cloud that capped the upper slopes of the great peak. Only 85 miles from the Pacific Ocean, the storm on the 20,701-foot Andean giant was depositing freezing droplets of moisture on anything exposed to the wind. We were covered with ice. Rising above a strikingly beautiful and barren plain only 1.5 degrees south of the equator, Chimborazo sits on the equatorial bulge, where the Earth's circumference is larger than at other latitudes. This geographic curiosity makes the mountain's summit the closest spot on Earth to the sun, even though it is 8,500 feet lower than Mount Everest when measured from sea level. Although small by Asian standards (it's only the 35th highest named peak in South America), Chimborazo is taller than any mountain on the other five continents. Mount McKinley, North America's highest peak, is 381 feet shorter.

The lofty elevations of Ecuador's mountains, combined with their easy accessibility, make them an inviting destination for mountaineers who want to establish personal altitude records, especially climbers from the Northwest who already are familiar with volcanoes. The trip from Oregon is inexpensive, too -- my budget was about $1,800, including everything, for 16 days that included sightseeing along with climbing. Stone huts sit just below the line of permanent snow and ice on Ecuador three tallest volcanoes -- 20,701-foot Chimborazo, 19,347-foot Cotopaxi and 18,996-foot Cayambe -- allowing the peaks to rank among the highest one-day climbs in the world. They offer high-altitude mountaineering without long approach marches or the need to carry a tent or stove. That's what brought Bob Breivogel of Portland, an experienced leader from Portland's Mazamas climbing club, and me to Ecuador for a two-person climbing trip early this year.

Breivogel already had climbed Aconcagua, at 22,834 feet the highest mountain in South America, while I was trying to climb higher than my previous best of 18,700 feet on Mexico's Pico de Orizaba. Until Asia's high mountains were explored by Europeans, Chimborazo was thought to be the world's highest mountain. Englishman Edward Whymper, the first to climb Switzerland's Matterhorn, made the first two ascents of Chimborazo in 1880 with two Italian guides. Like Mount Rainier and Mount Hood in the Cascades, Chimborazo is a massive volcano that creates its own weather. The mountain has been a high-altitude testing ground for climbers since German explorer Alexander von Humboldt made the first serious, but unsuccessful, attempt to climb it in 1802. The best conjecture is that Humboldt made it 19,300 feet before he turned back. As the equatorial sun began to rise over the Amazon basin at 6 a.m., we slowly began to benefit from the light it brought, but warmth was another matter.

We were 19,700 feet high on Thilmann Glacier, where the upper part of Chimborazo remained shrouded in fog and the exposed slopes offered no shelter from the wind. We would either have to continue climbing without taking a rest or turn back short of reaching the world's highest point when measured from the center of the Earth. This was the third and last mountain ascent of our trip. We had saved the highest for last, hoping to cap our 16-day mountaineering trip to Ecuador by reaching Chimborazo's summit. But things weren't looking good. Ecuador's highlands have a dozen peaks that rise above 16,000 feet, giving the Nevada-sized country a cluster of glacier-clad volcanoes that rival the Cascades in grandeur. All are part of the Pacific Rim of Fire, so peaks such as Mount Rainier and Chimborazo share a similar geology. Rainier's glacier system is much larger, but Chimborazo offers a challenge simply because of its great altitude. Although taller than Alaska's Mount McKinley, Chimborazo's climbing challenge is not comparable. McKinley is a month long grind, while Chimborazo is a one-day climb.

Trucks can be driven to 15,744 feet on Chimborazo, from where it's only a one-mile walk to a hut at 16,400 feet where climbers spend the night before beginning their ascent. More than 9,500 feet higher than Mount Hood, Ecuador's giant is a technically easy peak only for those who take the time to acclimate to altitude. Acclimatization, the process of adjusting to reduced air pressure at altitude, begins immediately upon arrival at Quito International Airport. At 9,350 feet above sea level, Quito is the world's second-highest capital city (only Bolivia's La Paz is higher). Any visitor should plan to spend a few easy days in historic Quito , sightseeing at a leisurely pace, drinking lots of water and resting frequently to avoid the pounding headache that comes with altitude sickness. After an all-day flight from Portland through Dallas and Miami, the easiest part of the day was whisking our way through customs, into a taxi and into our hotel room by midnight in Quito's New Town. We had decided to spend our first two days in Quito, acclimating ourselves and seeing the sights.

A European settlement since the early 1500s, Quito's Old Town has been declared a world cultural heritage site by the United Nations. The ancient streets, many too narrow for buses, are lined with street vendors and the diesel-blackened walls of 86 churches. It's a district for walking, but be wary of pickpockets, a serious problem here. The so-called New Town, three miles north of Old Town, accommodates most visitors, who can move about safely (even at night) between its numerous hotels and restaurants. Suburbs, hemmed in by parallel ranges of the Andes, stretch 15 miles north and south and increase the population of the Quito valley to more than 2 million. Because of its altitude and location 22 miles south of the equator, Quito and the surrounding highlands enjoy springlike weather throughout the year. Temperature extremes range between 50 degrees Fahrenheit and 70 degrees. Photographs on postcards show both Cotopaxi and Cayambe from Quito on a clear day, a circumstance that proves to be rare.

The major weather variables are the amount of sunshine (usually a few hours in the morning) and the amount of rainfall (afternoon downpours are common), otherwise the days feel pretty much the same. The "dry'' seasons --December-January and July-August -- are the best time for climbing. Climbers who rush to the heights have been known to pass out from minor exertion after arriving by truck at Ecuador's mountain huts. Some type of acclimatizing exercise is vital to help the body adjust. We chose a peak called Cerro Pasochoa, a short bus ride southeast of Quito, on our second day in Ecuador. We made it only to 12,700 feet on the horseshoe-shaped volcano, 1,000 feet below the summit, but the surrounding native Andean forest (a rarity in modern Ecuador) made the day enjoyable. A tremendous downpour broke just as the pickup arrived to take us back to town. Guagua Pichincha, the preferred peak for acclimatization with an elevation of 15,728 feet, was (and still is) erupting on the west edge of Quito, and hikers are warned to avoid it.

Conquering Cayambe After three nights and two days in Quito, we were ready to begin moving toward our first ascent. We traveled by taxi from the hotel to the bus terminal, then by bus 50 miles to the town of Cayambe, where we spent the night. Pickup drivers park in central squares of many Ecuadorean cities as they wait to be hired to drive visitors into the surrounding mountains. The 15-mile drive to the Cayambe hut the next day cost $21. Breivogel and I agreed it was a drive neither of us would want to make in our own vehicles because of the rocky, potholed road, the 6,000-foot climb and the tremendous drops, often at road's edge. Somewhere near the hut's 15,088-foot elevation, the equator passes through the south side of Cayambe, making it the highest point on the center of the Earth. When we arrived at the hut, the mood was glum among the assembled climbers from Austria, Switzerland, France and the United States. Because of avalanche danger on the upper mountain, word was that no one had reached the summit in more than two weeks.

Ever the optimist, Breivogel said our chance to reach the summit on our climb, scheduled to take place in two days, was 50-50 -- we'd either make it, or we wouldn't. We spent the next day, our fifth in Ecuador, hiking to the Hermoso Glacier to practice climbing skills. We were outfitted with all the required glacier climbing gear (crampons, ice axes, dark goggles, a rope and crevasse rescue tools) and clothing (plastic boots, rain pants and jackets and high-tech underwear, gloves and hats) -- pretty much the same things we use when climbing in Oregon. Later that afternoon, the hut's facilities proved to be the most comfortable of the trip, with flush toilets, running water and propane stoves. With departure planned for 12:30 a.m., climbers try to get some sleep after the sun sets at 6 p.m. Lightning from the heat rising above the Amazon basin lit the sky to the east, while a rainstorm pummeled the hut for a few hours in the early evening. Alarm clocks shrieked throughout the sleeping dorm at midnight, and everyone donned headlamps to give them enough light to dress.

The storm had stopped, and the stars were out. Twenty climbers in three parties began making their way across the glacier. Climbing without a guide, a relatively rare situation among foreigners in Ecuador, we weren't sure of the best route, so we fell in line behind a group from the American Alpine Institute of Bellingham, Wash. We followed their footsteps on the glacier all the way to the summit, arriving at 9:55 a.m. The glacier sloped gently upward, smooth enough on the surface to hide numerous small crevasses. The route steepened near the top as it passed a spectacular icefall just below the summit. We zigzagged around the difficulties, and breathing deeply with every step, reached the mountain's rounded summit. Climbers to these comparatively low altitudes do not use bottled oxygen (generally needed above 25,000 feet). We were out of breath and tired, but neither of us had the pounding headache that is commonly experienced. Clouds rising from the Amazon basin filled the lower valleys, but other volcanoes 30 miles to 100 miles distant were in view beneath an upper layer of cloud.

The equatorial sun was hot enough at nearly 19,000 feet to make us peel away several layers of clothes. We made it back to the hut at 2:40 p.m., then rushed to meet a 4 p.m. rendezvous with our driver one mile down a steep part of the road that was too rough to drive. The driver took us to town and dropped us off at a bus stop, and by 7 p.m. we were checked into a hotel at Otavalo, site of the largest Indian crafts market in South America. We spent Saturday morning in Otavalo, the peak time for the colorful market, before boarding a bus for Quito. Terry RichardLooking down on the Saturday market at Otavalo, Ecuador. The challenge of Cotopaxi On Sunday, our ninth day in Ecuador, we set out for Cotopaxi. We traveled by taxi, bus and pickup to Cotopaxi's Jose Rias hut at 15,400 feet. It took three hours to cover the 50 miles, weaving first through city traffic and finally bouncing in the pickup as the driver sped up the winding gravel road to the hut.

Our public transportation was so efficient that we arrived just before four climbers from Wales who had left the same hotel at the same time we did, riding the entire way in a four-wheel drive vehicle driven by an Ecuadorean. With its easy access off the Pan American Highway, Cotopaxi is the most frequently visited Ecuadorean volcano and the main feature of Cotopaxi National Park. Volcanic activity has been nearly absent in the past century, a fortunate situation because Latacunga, the town destroyed by past eruptions, has grown back to 40,000 inhabitants. Our climb of Cotopaxi took 12 hours round-trip, with a couple of hours spent using technical snow-climbing tools to make a steep section just below the summit safe. Often called an easy mountain to climb, Cotopaxi should not be taken lightly. The route passes between two glaciers where climbers walk a 6-foot-wide ridge between 50-foot-high jumbles of ice. The steep section just below the summit is safe only with the proper skills and equipment.

At the top, Cotopaxi's circular crater, a third of a mile wide, was warm enough to melt snow but showed no obvious sign of volcanic activity. After our descent, we spent a second night at the hut to help us further acclimate for our third mountain, Chimborazo. Chimborazo: The final test Word had been circulating among climbers that conditions on Chimborazo were dangerous because of rock fall and ice, so we decided to hire a guide service in Quito. We were joined by two guides and a couple of young climbers, one a government attorney from Washington, D.C., and the other a German who was studying organic farming in Ecuador for a year. We left Quito at 10 a.m. on our 12th morning in Ecuador. The five-hour drive to Chimborazo took us south on the Pan American Highway to Ambato, where we turned west toward the Pacific Coast on a highway that had been built by the military. It was one of the few roads without potholes that we traveled. When we turned off the paved highway onto the gravel road that leads to the hut, we came to what may be the world's highest trout farm at 14,000 feet.

We watched as the trout farmers netted a half-dozen plump fish from cement tanks and sent them with us for dinner. As we drove toward road's end, we spotted two small herds of wild vicuna, a relative of the llama that looks something like our pronghorn antelope with a 3-foot-long neck. The road ends at a small hut, where we ate afternoon tea and cookies. The main climbing hut is a mile higher up the mountain; so we shouldered our 40-pound backpacks and hiked 40 minutes to the Whymper hut at 16,400 feet. While we claimed bunks and lockers and spread out our sleeping bags, the guides prepared our fresh trout dinner. By 7 p.m., we were ready for a few hours of sleep. When we woke at 11 p.m., the wind was howling through crannies in the hut. We knew Chimborazo was going to be a challenge. About 24 of us started the climb.

Within a few hours all but eight had turned back -- our party of six (the German farmer, the Washington attorney and their guide, Breivogel, myself and our guide) plus a climber from Colorado and his guide. The higher we went, the stronger the wind blew. Ice began coating our clothing and gear. Because we didn't have shelter, our breaks were limited to a few minutes each hour. As light began to show in the eastern sky at 6 a.m., my watch said we were due another break, but conditions were too brutal to stop for long. Breivogel and I, both 20-year veterans of climbing in the Cascades, looked at the ice that covered each other's clothing. We knew the summit of a volcano is not a safe place to be in such miserable conditions. At 19,700 feet, I asked our guide to turn around. Breivogel agreed. The other three climbers kept going. We returned to the hut at 9 a.m. and waited. I packed everything but my sleeping bag, crawled in and fell asleep. Just after noon, the last team staggered in.

They had made it to the summit plateau -- still one mile and 100 feet below the true summit. They said that when they finally stopped climbing, they could barely stand upright because of the wind. The German farmer said it felt as if they'd gone 30 kilometers farther than we had. In fact, it was only 300 meters. The Washington lawyer, a veteran marathon runner, said it was the most difficult thing he'd ever done. So did the climber from Colorado. The ride back to Quito was quiet, punctuated only by the sounds of snoring. We hadn't accomplished our goal of climbing all three peaks -- and the one we missed was the one we wanted most -- but neither of us regretted our decision to turn back. For us, it was the right thing to do. The volcanoes of Ecuador will be there when we're ready to return. Terry RichardCotopaxi's summit crater. IF YOU GO: TIPS FOR ADVENTURERS IN ECUADOR Getting there: U.S. airlines that serve Quito are American (via Miami) and Continental (via Houston). Ecuador's airline is Saeta. South American destinations tend to be expensive.

We paid $900 in January and went home wondering if we should have watched fare prices and bought separate Portland-Miami and Miami-Quito tickets when each was advertised at $300. Budget: While adventurers line up to pay $65,000 for a chance to climb Mount Everest in Nepal, our trip to Ecuador's three highest peaks was much more realistic for the majority of climbers. The 16-day climbing trip from Portland cost us $1,800 each, with half of that going for airfare. Ground costs in rural Ecuador are about one-third that of small U.S. towns. Public transportation to the mountains is convenient and dependable. Ecuador's currency is the sucre. With the exchange rate at more than 7,000 per dollar, we became millionaires by converting $145. The Plaza International Hotel cost $44 per night in Quito New Town. We paid $11 per night for lodging in small towns and $8 for stays in mountain huts. Getting around: Taxi, bus and truck transportation to the mountains is convenient and inexpensive. It's the best way to go for small groups.

Buses cost about $1.50 for 70 miles; truck transport is higher ($21 for 15 miles) because foreigners are the primary customers. City taxi fares are about $2 for five miles, but you can negotiate with a driver for a set fee to drive you anywhere and either wait for you or pick you up later. Language: Being able to speak rudimentary Spanish is a big help, but not mandatory. English-only climbers journey to Ecuador and reach the summits, but they miss the experience of conversing with the local people. The sites: Unless you have a strict itinerary, there is little need to book in-country trips from home. Avenida Amazonas, the main tourist street in Quito, is lined with travel agencies that sell all kinds of adventures in Ecuador. Far more people go to Ecuador to visit Quito, the Indian markets of the highlands, the Amazon basin or the offshore Galpagos Islands than to set foot on a glacier. Many tourists who wouldn't dream of mountaineering have set personal altitude records during escorted sightseeing tours to the 14,800-foot level of Cotopaxi.

Mountaineering: The Ecuador vol- canoes look a lot like the volcanoes of Oregon and Washington, but the line of permanent snow is much higher (usually 15,000 feet to 16,000 feet) than in the Cascades. No one should set foot on a glacier without proper equipment, training and experience. Mountain guides can be hired in advance in the United States (expect to pay $3,000 for a fully escorted two-week trip to climb three peaks) or in Quito. We paid $200 for a guided climb of Chimborazo, which included transportation from Quito, hut lodging and food for two days. By comparison, a two-day guided climb of Washington's Mount Rainier goes for about $500 (and doesn't include transportation to the mountain). More info: Bradt Publication's "Climbing and Hiking in Ecuador" is the English-language guide for exploring Ecuador's highlands by foot. Another general guidebook (I recommend Lonely Planet's or Moon's) is necessary for exploring the cities. The books are available at local book stores or can be ordered from the South American Explorers Club at .

terryrichard@news.oregonian.com. Highest volcanoes are in South America. Why? About Highest volcanoes are in South America. Why? Ole Nielsen wrote an interesting post about the world’s highest volcanoes. There are several candidates. Nevados Ojos del Salado and Llullaillaco being the most serious contenders depending on whether we count all of them or only the historically active ones. Which volcano claims the title is not of paramount importance to me. What is interesting is that they are all located in South America. This is nice to know that they are there but so what? The Andes in Chile. It is considered to be the longest mountain range on Earth (7000 km). Image: Wikipedia. This is just a mere fact that gives us no further understanding of the mechanisms that allow these volcanoes to become so high. I thought that maybe there are some easy answers in the web but as it usually happens, there are tons of descriptions and trivial facts but very little really useful insight. So I just tried to collect my pieces of thoughts together and come up with some ideas. I know that the highest point on the surface of the Earth is the tip of Chimborazo volcano in Ecuador.

Some of you may protest that at least yesterday Mt. Everest was higher. Yes, it most likely still is but Chimborazo is the highest point if measured from the center of the Earth. This is so because the Earth’s equatorial radius is longer than its polar radius (the difference is 22 kilometers). Chimborazo is definitely not the highest mountain if measured from the mean sea level (even not in South America) but it is nicely located almost at the equator. Its height from the mean sea level is 6268 meters. How does that help us answer the question? Well, I just thought that if the volcano is farther away from the center of the Earth, then gravity should be weaker there which makes it easier for the volcano to grow little bit higher. Highest volcano in the Solar System is Olympus Mons. Its height (measured from the base) is 25 kilometers and it is located on Mars where gravity is much weaker that it is here. We also have to consider the effect of centrifugal force because our Earth is rotating. This force gets stronger as we move higher. So it also helps to counteract the gravitational pull.

The value of gravitational acceleration (which takes into account both factors described above) is 9.78 (m/s2) at the equator and 9.83 at the poles. The difference is there but only about 0.5%. It means that we (and mountains) would weigh about 0.5% more at the poles than at the Equator. That is clearly not enough to explain why the volcanoes in the Andes are so high. Maybe we have to blame the climate? Atacama desert that is right there next to the highest volcanoes is very dry. Perhaps weathering and erosion are not keeping pace with the uplift as successfully as it is doing in other, more humid regions? I think it might be one part of the answer. The Andes are on the one hand compressional orogene that is situated at the border of Nazca and South American plates but on the other hand it is also a volcanic range that sits on top of the subduction zone. The highest peaks there are volcanic edifices. Perhaps they are so high because they sit on top of the orogenic belt. Perhaps the subduction and mountain building in this region is particularly intense which allows the volcanoes to become so high?

I don’t have good data for that but the sea floor spreading is very fast in the Southern Pacific, so the subduction should be intense as well. Sea floor subducting beneath the Andes is young and the spreading in the East Pacific Rise very fast. Image: NOAA. Maybe the fact that the subduction angle there is very small helps to push the mountain range higher. It is small because the subducting slab is relatively young and therefore more buoyant than older slabs. Last but not least, Earth’s surface is pushed higher in the regions where the crust is thicker. The crust beneath the Andes is very thick (even 60 kilometers) which is definitely one of the contributing factors. Earth’s crust beneath the Andes is very thick. Image: USGS. So I found seven possible contributing factors: 1. Equatorial bulge

Question: In which South American country is Mount Chimborazo the highest mountain?
Answer: ECUADOR