Chimborazo (volcano)
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The inactive stratovolcano Chimborazo is Ecuador's highest summit. Its last eruption is thought to have occurred some time in the first millennium CE. Its summit is the spot on the surface farthest from the center of the Earth.
Contents
Geography
Location
The Chimborazo is located in the Cordillera Occidental of the Andes of central Ecuador, 150 km (93 miles) south-southwest of the capital Quito. Its neighboured by 5,018 m high Carihuairazo. Chimborazos majestic summit rises 2,500 m above the surrounding highlands (~3,500 to 4,000 m) with a ~20 km wide base. Under perfect clear conditions the summit of Chimborazo can be seen from the coastal city Guayaquil. The nearest cities are Riobamba (~30km to the southeast), Ambato (~30km to the northeast) and Guaranda (~25km to the southwest). The Chimborazo is surounded by the "Reserva de Produccion Faunistica Chimborazo" which forms a protected ecosystem to preserve the habitat for the andens native camelids Vicuña, Llama and Alpaca.
Glacier
The top of Chimborazo is completely covered by glaciers with some north-eastern glacier arms flowing down to 4,600 m. Its glacier is the source of water for the population of the Bolivar and Chimborazo provinces of Ecuador. The capital of Bolivar, Guaranda (25,000 inhabitants) is supplied by "vertientes" in the high "páramo" (arid Andean plateaus over 4,000 m) situated 25 km from the city. In the summer of 2005 the water supply of the city suffered severe crisis, probably due to the fast disappearance of the ice cover of the Chimborazo. According to French researchers, Andean high glaciers are melting at an accelerated rate and most are feared will disappear within the coming decades. Therefore, Quito, Lima, La Paz and other cities founded on glacial flows are bound to find themselves fighting severe water supply problems in the near future.Elevation
The elevation of 6,267 m was measured by a differential GPS survey in the 1990s and is generally accepted. SRTM data suggests that it is more accurate than an older but still often quoted elevation of 6,310 m. [World Top 50 Prominence on Peaklist.org] [List of frequently misquoted elevations] Chimborazo is higher in elevation above sea level than any other mountain in the Americas north of it.Farthest point from earth center
Although the summit of Mount Everest reaches a higher elevation above sea level, the Earth's diameter at the equator is greater than at Everest's latitude (nearly 28° north), with sea level also being elevated. (See equatorial bulge.) The summit of Chimborazo is just one degree south of the equator. So despite being 2,581 meters (8,568 feet) lower in elevation above sea level, it is 6384.4 km (3968 mi) from the Earth's center, 2.1 km farther than the summit of Everest.History
Etymology
Several theories regarding the origin of the name Chimborazo exist. After one theorie it is a combination of the Cayapa Schingbu for Women and the Colorado/Quichua Razo for Ice/Snow resulting in Women of Ice. After another theorie Chimbo is Jivaro for Throne of Master/God resulting in Icethrone of God. The locals also used to call the mountain Urcorazo, with the Quichua Urco for Mountain resulting in Mountain of Ice Schmudlach, Günter (2001). Bergführer Ecuador.. For the local indigenous mysticism the Chimborazo represents Taita (Father) whereas neighbouring Tungurahua is seen as Mama, Taita Chimborazo and Mama Tungurahua.First ascent
Until the beginning of the nineteenth century it was thought that Chimborazo was the highest mountain on Earth (measured from sea level), and such reputation led to many attempts on its summit during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. In 1802 during his expedition to South America, Baron Alexander von Humboldt, accompanied by Aimé Bonpland and the Ecuadorian Carlos Montúfar attempted to reach the summit. From his description of the mountain it seems he reached a point at 5,875 m, from where he and his companions returned suffering from altitude sickness. At that point they had reached the highest point attained by any European in recorded history (Incans reached much farther, see Llullaillaco). Finally it was climbed by Briton Edward Whymper and the brothers Louis and Jean-Antoine Carrel in 1880. As there were many critics who doubted that Whymper had reached the summit, later in the same year he climbed to the summit again choosing a different route (Pogyos) with the Ecuadorians David Beltrán and Francisco Campaña.Whymper, Edward (1892). Travels Amongst the Great Andes of the Equator.Missing flight #232
In August 1976 SAETA flight #232 (Vickers Viscount, 4 Crew, 55 Passengers) was reported missing while in flight from Quito to Cuenca. Immediate extensive search of the possible crash area did not produce any evidence. A crash on Chimborazo was considered to be most probable, some speculated about highjacking by Colombian Guerilla. After having been missing for 26 years in October 2002 the aircraft and the bodys of its 59 occupants were found on Chimborazo by ecuadorian andinists climbing on a seldom used eastern route (Integral) at a height of 5.400 m. [El Comercio] February 2003Other
- The Chimborazo is featured on the ecuadorian coat of arms, to represent the beauty and richness of the ecuadorian Sierra (Highlands).
- Simón Bolívar wrote a poem inspired by the mountain, entitled "Mi delirio sobre el Chimborazo".
Climbing
Being ecuadors highest mountain climbing Chimborazo is very popular amongst mountaineers.
- Chimborazo can be climbed year round with best seasons being December-January and July-August.
- A good height acclimatization is highly recommended for this climb.
- The mountain is contained on the IGM (Instituto Geografico Militar) 1:50000 Map Chimborazo (CT-ÑIV-C1).[Mapa IGM Chimborazo (CT-ÑIV-C1)]
Routes
The easiest (PD) and most climbed routes are the Normal and the Whymper route, both are western ridges routes starting at the Whymper hut and leading via the Ventimilla summit to the main (Whymper) summit. There are a several other less used and more challenging routes on the other mountains faces and ridges leading to one of Chimborazo's summits: Main (Whymper, Ecuador), Politecnico (Central), N. Martinez (Eastern).Refugios
There are two functioning Huts, the Carrel Hut (4.850 m) and the nearby Whymper Hut (5.000 m). The Carrel Hut can be reached by car from Riobamba, Ambato or Guaranda. On the north-west side there is the now disfunct Zurita hut (4.900 m) which served as base for the Pogyos route.Gallery
References
Notes
External links
- [Climbing information for Chimborazo]
- [Chimborazo Volcano Data (Global Volcanism Program)]
- [Official page of the protected area "Reserva de Produccion Faunistica Chimborazo"]
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