Pico Simón Bolívar
| Pico Simón Bolívar | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 5,720 m (18,770 ft)[1] |
| Prominence | 5,529 m (18,140 ft) Ranked 5th |
| Listing | Country high point Ultra |
| Coordinates | 10°50′05″N 73°41′26″W / 10.83472°N 73.69056°W |
| Geography | |
  Pico Simón Bolívar | |
| Parent range | Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | 1939 by Wood, Bakerwell and Praolini |
| Easiest route | moderate snow/ice climb, Alpine AD |
Pico Simón Bolívar is the highest mountain in Colombia, with an estimated height of 5,720 metres (18,770 ft). Pico Bolívar and the neighbouring summit of Pico Cristóbal Colón are the two highest peaks in Colombia and are very nearly equal in elevation.The height difference is about 7 meters.[2][3] For this reason, it is the fifth most important peak in the world (see list of peaks by prominence). The nearest peak that is higher is Cayambe, some 1,288 kilometres (800 mi) away. There is a permanent snowcap on this peak and on the nearby mountains. It is part of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta range, along with Pico Cristóbal Colón. The peak is named after Simón Bolívar.
Climbing history
[edit]Pico Simón Bolívar was first climbed in 1939 by W. Wood, A. Bakerwell and E. Praolini.[4]
Access to these mountains became very difficult after the early 1990s due to hostile locals, drug traffickers, and FARC guerillas. An expedition in 2015 was one of the first to climb in the range for many years, reaching the summit of Pico Cristóbal Colón.[5]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ The elevation given here is based on SRTM data. Colombian topographic maps show 5650 m contours but no 5700 m contours. A handheld GPS reading obtained in 2015 indicated a height of c.5730 m may be correct. A figure of 5775 m is frequently quoted.
- ^ Andes site
- ^ "Pico Simón Bolívar - Peakbagger.com". www.peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2025-03-20.
- ^ Neate, Jill (1994). Mountaineering in the Andes (2nd ed.). Expedition Advisory Centre. ISBN 0-907649-64-5.
- ^ Bjorstad, Petter. "Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta Trip Report".