6,000 meters and above in the Andes

The Andes has approximately one-hundred summits rising over 6,000 meters in elevation, using the 400-meter prominence method to discount nearby satellite peaks to the main summits. The highest two summits are Aconcagua (6,959 m) and Ojos del Salado (6,893 m). Many of the greater than 6,000 meter summits cluster in the Cordillera Blanca of northern Peru near the city of Huaraz. The Cordillera Oriental of Bolivia features 6 summits greater than 6,000 meters. Nearly all of these mountains comprise technical climbs requiring detailed knowledge and experience in mountaineering. The most comprehensive climbers guide covering all of these peaks is by John Biggar called The Andes: A guide for climbers. To bag these peaks one will also have to travel through four countries: Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina. We have not summited these peaks, but have been by many of them, and decided to post a few select pictures including some of the most classic names.

            Peru weighs in with 29 summits over 6,000 meters. Argentina has 25 greater than 6,000 meter summit. Thirteen 6,000 meter and above peaks lie completely within Chile. Bolivia scores eight greater than 6,000 meter peaks. Ecuador only has one. Finally, 24 summits over 6,000 meters lie right on international borders, with 19 of these shared between Chile and Argentina.

            Volcanoes built on the high topography of the Andes account for 55 of the summits. In fact, Ojos del Salado volcano is the highest one in the world. South America has a total of 265 active volcanoes. Most of the greater than 6,000 meter summits that are formed on volcanic edifices are within the Central Volcanic Zone.

            The Cordillera Blanca of northern Peru owes its series of high summits to the additional uplift provided by the active Cordillera Blanca normal fault that has formed over the last seven million years. Without this extra fault block motion the topographic highs would probably fall in the norm of 5,200 to 5,300 meters that are found in central Peru. In addition, at relatively low latitudes, around 10 degrees south, these are the highest glaciated equatorial peaks in the world. The immense amount of moisture coming off the Amazon basin lends them stormy weather for most of the year. The climbing season is best during the month of August when Peru is at its coldest and driest weather. The snow-capped and glaciated Nevados of the Cordillera Blanca make for perhaps the most photogenic mountains in South America. The iconic triangular summit of Alpamayo, while not a greater than 6,000 meter peak, has been called the most beautiful mountain in the world.

            The Cordillera Oriental of southern Peru, a.k.a. the Cordillera Real in Bolivia, also has troublesome weather conditions and snowy summits on a foundation of old bedrock. Many of these summits overlook the city of La Paz and have relatively quick access.

            The high summits of northern Chile and Argentina plus southern Bolivia are generally within the geomorphic province of the Altiplano, which is an area that is internally drained and has a high average elevation, forming a mountain plateau. The highest peak of Bolivia, Sajama, is a volcano that erupted on top of this plateau, giving the volcanic pile extra height.

            Going farther south, the subducting plate margin decreases its inclination, forming a segment that is called flat subduction. This has the effect of terminating volcanic activity. The cluster of summits and the highest peak of Aconcagua are made from older volcanic rocks that have been folded and tilted, making the foundation essentially part of the bedrock. High elevations here are due to active thrusting, which are low-angle reverse faults formed during contractional deformation that accompanies folding of the rocks.

            The character of the greater than 6,000 meter summits, whether developed on bedrock or a volcano, and their latitude south, strongly determines the type of climbing encountered. Hiking up the lower flanks of volcanos, where they are not snow covered, can be a tedious slog. Geology is what formed the high summits, and yet a systematic description of the rocks making these peaks has never been compiled within the geological sciences.

 

Tab delimited summit list:

PEAK            LAT   LONG            HEIGHT       COUNTRY   AREA            Subrange       Type            FIRST_ASCENT

Aconcagua      -32.65310       -70.01209       6959    Argentina        High Andes    Cordillera Central       Bedrock            1897

Pissis   -27.75547       -68.79830       6793    Argentina        Puna    Cordillera Central       Volcano          1937

Bonete            -28.01830       -68.75587       6759    Argentina        Puna    Cordillera Central       Volcano          1970

Mercedario     -31.97886       -70.11285       6710    Argentina        High Andes    Cordillera Central       Bedrock            1934

Cazadero        -27.19455       -68.56090       6670    Argentina        Puna    Cordillera Central       Volcano          1970

Nacimiento     -27.28054       -68.51249       6460    Argentina        Puna    Cordillera Central       Volcano          1937

Antofalla        -25.56271       -67.88102       6440    Argentina        Puna    Cordillera Central       Volcano          1954

Veladero         -28.07298       -68.97767       6436    Argentina        Puna    Cordillera Central       Volcano          1986

El Condor       -26.63173       -68.36068       6414    Argentina        Puna    Cordillera Central       Volcano          2003

Ramada          -32.08288       -70.01780       6384    Argentina        High Andes    Cordillera Central       Bedrock            1934

Cachi (Libertador)      -24.93211       -66.39066       6380    Argentina        Northern Puna            Precordillera            Bedrock          1950

Reclus -27.91832       -68.93312       6275    Argentina        Puna    Cordillera Central       Volcano          1986

Majadita         -30.42028       -69.78120       6266    Argentina        High Andes    Cordillera Central       Bedrock            1996

Quemado (Palermo)   -24.83253       -66.40538       6184    Argentina        Northern Puna            Precordillera            Bedrock          1979

La Mesa          -32.06395       -70.11560       6180    Argentina        High Andes    Cordillera Central       Bedrock            1934

Queva -24.30800       -66.73300       6140    Argentina        Northern Puna            Precordillera   Volcano          1904

Colanguil        -29.58900       -69.44900       6122    Argentina        High Andes    Cordillera Central       Bedrock            0

Medusa           -27.12741       -68.48486       6120    Argentina        Puna    Cordillera Central       Volcano          1986

Vallecitos        -26.21044       -68.31715       6120    Argentina        Puna    Cordillera Central       Volcano          1999

Famatina (Belgrano)   -29.01400       -67.82700       6097    Argentina        Puna    Precordillera   Bedrock          1947

Aracar -24.28993       -67.78321       6095    Argentina        Puna    Cordillera Central       Volcano          1958

Negro (Pabellon)        -33.45013       -69.70266       6070    Argentina        High Andes    Cordillera Central            Bedrock          1969

Baboso            -28.00665       -68.90841       6070    Argentina        Puna    Cordillera Central       Volcano          2000

Volcan del Viento      -27.19118       -68.47361       6028    Argentina        Puna    Cordillera Central       Volcano            1937

Laguna Blanca           -26.53023       -67.05918       6012    Argentina        Puna    Precordillera   Bedrock          2006

Tortolas           -29.93924       -69.90673       6160    Argentina – Chile        High Andes    Cordillera Central            Bedrock          1924

Ojos del Salado          -27.10967       -68.54257       6893    Argentina-Chile          Puna    Cordillera Central            Volcano          1937

Tres Cruces Sur          -27.09772       -68.77885       6748    Argentina-Chile          Puna    Cordillera Central            Volcano          1937

Llullaillaco      -24.71972       -68.53672       6739    Argentina-Chile          Northern Puna            Cordillera Central            Volcano          1952

Incahuasi        -27.03322       -68.29718       6621    Argentina-Chile          Puna    Cordillera Central       Volcano            1913

Tupungato      -33.35853       -69.77031       6570    Argentina-Chile          High Andes    Cordillera Central            Volcano          1897

El Muerto       -27.05723       -68.48441       6510    Argentina-Chile          Puna    Cordillera Central       Volcano            1950

Tres Quebradas          -27.29998       -68.80904       6239    Argentina-Chile          Puna    Cordillera Central            Volcano          1937

Olivares          -30.29834       -69.90049       6216    Argentina-Chile          High Andes    Cordillera Central            Bedrock          1964

Solo     -27.10378       -68.71396       6205    Argentina-Chile          Puna    Cordillera Central       Volcano          1949

El Toro            -29.12997       -69.78691       6168    Argentina-Chile          High Andes    Cordillera Central            Bedrock          1964

Sierra Nevada -26.49188       -68.55935       6140    Argentina-Chile          Puna    Cordillera Central       Volcano            2000

Marmolejo      -33.73437       -69.87849       6108    Argentina-Chile          High Andes    Cordillera Central            Volcano          1928

Colorados       -26.17800       -68.38123       6080    Argentina-Chile          Puna    Cordillera Central       Volcano            1999

El Plomo         -33.10340       -70.06589       6070    Argentina-Chile          High Andes    Cordillera Central            Bedrock          1910

El Fraile          -27.04245       -68.38163       6061    Argentina-Chile          Puna    Cordillera Central       Volcano            1956

Socompa         -24.39606       -68.24543       6051    Argentina-Chile          Northern Puna            Cordillera Central            Volcano          1905

San Francisco -26.91884       -68.26383       6030    Argentina-Chile          Puna    Cordillera Central       Volcano            1913

Salin    -24.32842       -68.06731       6029    Argentina-Chile          Northern Puna            Cordillera Central            Volcano          1960

Sajama            -18.10784       -68.88294       6550    Bolivia            Cord. Occidental        Cordillera Occidental            Volcano          1939

Illimani           -16.64805       -67.78087       6438    Bolivia            Cord. Real      Cordillera Oriental     Bedrock            1898

Ancohuma      -15.85427       -68.54078       6427    Bolivia            Cord. Real      Cordillera Oriental     Bedrock            1919

Illampu           -15.81493       -68.54292       6368    Bolivia            Cord. Real      Cordillera Oriental     Bedrock            1928

Chearoco        -15.96054       -68.41292       6104    Bolivia            Cord. Real      Cordillera Oriental     Bedrock            1928

Huayna Potosi            -16.26236       -68.15390       6088    Bolivia            Cord. Real      Cordillera Oriental            Bedrock          1919

Chachacomani            -15.98722       -68.38306       6074    Bolivia            Cord. Real      Cordillera Oriental            Bedrock          1947

Uturunco        -22.26420       -67.18650       6008    Bolivia            Cord. Lipez    Cordillera Lipez         Volcano            1955

Chaupi Orco   -14.65300       -69.22800       6044    Bolivia- Peru   Apolobamba   Cordillera Oriental     Volcano            1958

Tres Cruces Central    -27.06763       -68.78655       6629    Chile   Puna    Cordillera Central       Volcano          1973

Pular    -24.20052       -68.06638       6233    Chile   Northern Puna            Cordillera Central       Volcano          1960

Aucanquilcha  -21.22080       -68.46850       6176    Chile   Cord. Occidental        Cord. Occidental        Volcano            1935

El Ermita??o   -26.78379       -68.60144       6146    Chile   Puna    Cordillera Central       Volcano          1967

San Pedro       -21.88786       -68.39128       6145    Chile   Cord. Occidental        Cordillera Occidental Volcano            1903

Barrancas Blancas      -26.99022       -68.66667       6119    Chile   Puna    Cordillera Central       Volcano          0

San Pablo        -21.88331       -68.34296       6110    Chile   Cord. Occidental        Cordillera Occidental Volcano            1910

Vicu??as         -27.02319       -68.61429       6067    Chile   Puna    Cordillera Central       Volcano          0

Guallatiri         -18.42370       -69.08970       6063    Chile   Cord. Occidental        Cordillera Occidental Volcano            1926

Copiapo          -27.30603       -69.13099       6052    Chile   Puna    Cordillera Central       Volcano          1937

Pili       -23.29267       -67.61779       6046    Chile   Northern Puna            Cordillera Occidental Volcano          1939

Palpana           -21.54694       -68.52276       6035    Chile   Cord. Occidental        Cord. Occidental        Volcano            1977

Pe??a Blanca  -26.82230       -68.26383       6030    Chile   Puna    Cordillera Central       Volcano          1956

Parinacota       -18.16597       -69.14155       6342    Chile – Bolivia            Cord. Occidental        Cordillera Occidental      Volcano          1928

Acotango        -18.38301       -69.04776       6052    Chile – Bolivia            Cord. Occidental        Cordillera Occidental      Volcano          1965

Alto (San Juan)          -33.46920       -69.81523       6148    Chile-Argentina          High Andes    Cordillera Cetnral            Volcano          1944

Pomerape        -18.12808       -69.12922       6282    Chile – Bolivia            Cord. Occidental        Cordillera Occidental      Volcano          1946

Chimborazo    -1.46706         -78.81750       6270    Ecuador          Ecuador          Cordillera Occidental Volcano            1880

Huascaran Sur            -9.12098         -77.60467       6746    Peru     Cord. Blanca  Cordillera Blanca       Bedrock            1932

Huascaran Norte        -9.10233         -77.62024       6655    Peru     Cord. Blanca  Cordillera Blanca       Bedrock            1932

Yerupaja         -10.26823       -76.90464       6617    Peru     Cord. Huayhuash       Cordillera Huayhuash            Bedrock          1950

Coropuna        -15.54616       -72.66057       6425    Peru     Cord. Occidental        Cordillera Occidental Volcano            1911

Huandoy         -9.02853         -77.66519       6395    Peru     Cord. Blanca  Cordillera Blanca       Bedrock          1932

Ausangate       -13.78831       -71.22888       6372    Peru     Cord. Vilcanota          Cordillera Oriental     Bedrock            1953

Huantsan        -9.51462         -77.31056       6369    Peru     Cord. Blanca  Cordillera Blanca       Bedrock          1952

Chopicalqui    -9.08738         -77.57374       6345    Peru     Cord. Blanca  Cordillera Blanca       Bedrock          1932

Siula Grande   -10.29431       -76.89149       6344    Peru     Cord. Huayhuash       Cordillera Huayhuash            Bedrock          1936

Ampato           -15.82072       -71.88012       6288    Peru     Cord. Occidental        Cordillera Occidental Volcano            1966

Salcantay        -13.33311       -72.54519       6271    Peru     Cord. Vilcabamba      Cordillera Oriental     Bedrock            1952

Santa Cruz      -8.89471         -77.70947       6241    Peru     Cord. Blanca  Cordillera Blanca       Bedrock          1948

Chinchey        -9.38211         -77.33036       6222    Peru     Cord. Blanca  Cordillera Blanca       Bedrock          1939

Palcaraju         -9.36756         -77.37072       6200    Peru     Cord. Blanca  Cordillera Blanca       Bedrock          1939

Copa   -9.26947         -77.48044       6188    Peru     Cord. Blanca  Cordillera Blanca       Bedrock          1932

Ranrapalca      -9.41141         -77.41659       6162    Peru     Cord. Blanca  Cordillera Blanca       Bedrock          1939

Hualcan          -9.20381         -77.51757       6160    Peru     Cord. Blanca  Cordillera Blanca       Bedrock          1939

Pucaranra        -9.38855         -77.35074       6156    Peru     Cord. Blanca  Cordillera Blanca       Bedrock          1948

Callangate (Collpa Ananta)   -13.73148       -71.16002       6110    Peru     Cord. Vilcanota          Cordillera Oriental            Bedrock          1957

Chacraraju      -8.99384         -77.61546       6108    Peru     Cord. Blanca  Cordillera Blanca       Bedrock          1956

Jatunriti (Chumpe)     -13.72556       -71.08135       6106    Peru     Cord. Vilcanota          Cordillera Oriental            Bedrock          1955

Jirishanca        -10.23728       -76.90574       6094    Peru     Cord. Huayhuash       Cordillera Huayhuash            Bedrock          1957

Solimana         -15.40784       -72.89160       6093    Peru     Cord. Occidental        Cordillera Occidental Volcano            1970

Jatunhuma (Pico Tres)            -13.74479       -71.13750       6093    Peru     Cord. Vilcanota          Cordillera Oriental            Bedrock          1957

Chachani         -16.19411       -71.53179       6075    Peru     Cord. Occidental        Cord. Occidental        Volcano            1889

Yayamari (Montura)   -13.76603       -70.98088       6049    Peru     Cord. Vilcanota          Cordillera Oriental            Bedrock          1957

Pucajirca         -8.85490         -77.59536       6046    Peru     Cord. Blanca  Cordillera Blanca       Bedrock          1961

Quitaraju         -8.89542         -77.66330       6036    Peru     Cord. Blanca  Cordillera Blanca       Bedrock          1936

Hualca Hualca            -15.72016       -71.86043       6025    Peru     Cord. Occidental        Cordillera Occidental            Volcano          1990

 

Do connect with us:

ResearchGate: James M. Wise 

Author´s page: James M. Wise

Photography page: JamesM.Wise.com 

Author´s page: Yanira K. Wise

 

 

Exploring South America’s inexhaustible creative force.