Ojos del Salado Expeditions

Ojos del Salado Volcano 6,893mt / 22,615ft

Ojos del Salado, the highest active volcano in the world--although one without a history of explosive eruptions--is the tallest mountain in Chile, and the second highest in South America. Set in the altiplano region of northern Chile, this remote peak dominates an otherworldy landscape of high volcanoes, snow-white salars dotted with andean flamingos, and the exotically-coloured high plateau lakes of El Negro Francisco and Laguna Verde.

With the exception of the final summit pitch where fixed ropes or a belay are recommended, Ojos del Salado presents no technical difficulty. The principal challenges for climbers are its considerable elevation and arid conditions. KL Adventure offers a number of attractive expedition alternatives. Starting in the village of San Pedro de Atacama, the 16- and 18-day programs include the ascent of the nearby Licancabur and Pili volcanoes. A shorter, 14-day expedition begins in the city of Copiapo, and features an acclimatization climbing itinerary which includes the ascent of several volcanoes in the environs of the beautiful altiplanic lakes Santa Rosa, El Negro Francisco, and Laguna Verde. A final and popular alternative combines Ojos del Salado and the Aconcagua—the two highest mountains in the Chilean and Argentinean Andes in one magnificent expedition.

The first ascent was made in 1937 by Jan Alfred Szczepański and Justyn Wojsznis, members of a Polish andinist expedition.

There is no doubt that Ojos del Salado is a recently active volcan : there is some evidence for a minor ash emission in 1993, and  presence of fumaroles high on the mountain and recent-looking lava flows, albeit of uncertain age. It is the highest historically active volcano on earth.

Maps

  To see an Ojos del Salado topographic map click here

                                 To order a topographic map : click here