Argentina/Chile (6,893 m) – 2nd Tallest Mountain in South America
Nevado Ojos Del Salado is the second tallest mountain in South America. It is also an active volcano, the highest in the world, though there are taller when measured from base to peak. While the peak is in Chile, the eastern part of the mountain straddles the border with Argentina. Ojos Del Salado is Spanish meaning the “Eyes of Salt”. This is a reference to the large, exposed salt deposits on the mountain.
Like Aconcagua, Ojos Del Salado is a tall but relatively easy to climb, except for the very top. It was first scaled in 1937 by a Polish expedition. Because of its mostly gentle slope, Ojos Del Salado holds the record for being the highest place on Earth ascended by a motor vehicle. The record height, which reached 6,668 meters, was set by three motorcyclists in 2007.
Ojos Del Salado is located in an extremely remote part of the Andes Mountains in the Atacama Desert. Aside from being an active volcano, it also boasts what is belived to be the world’s highest crater lake. Although the closes large town is Copiapo, about hundred miles to the west, the most accessible major city is San Miguel de Tucuman on the Argentinian side.
Leave a Reply