In this unique area, the mountains spread over an area of ​​several tens of square kilometers. The lowest mountain has a height of about 2,400 meters, and the average values ​​are about 4,000 meters. Among the huge number of peaks of this mountainous region, Chimborazo is a real giant, covered with eternal ice, descending to 4,600 meters.

About where the Chimborazo volcano is located, and what it is, is described in this article.

Location

Chimborazo is part of the Cordillera Occidental (ridge) in the Andes. What country does he belong to? The Chimborazo Volcano is located in Ecuador, 150 kilometers from its capital, Quito. It belongs to the andesite-dacitic stratovolcanoes.

It is well visible in sunny clear weather even from the city of Guayaquil, located in the coastal zone (distance about 140 km). The city of Riobamba is located 30 kilometers southeast of the volcano. To the cities of Ambato and Guaranda from Chimborazo, respectively, 30 kilometers to the northeast and 25 kilometers to the west.

Description of the region

Almost always, the top of the Chimborazo volcano rises above the level of the clouds, thanks to which a delightful and unforgettable sight opens up to tourists when flying on an airliner. Once Chimborazo was a rampant volcano, but over time it subsided, and its top began to represent an ice edge.

For the inhabitants of this region (the provinces of Bolivar and Chimborazo), the main water resource is melt water. Due to global warming and ongoing processes inside the volcano, the size of the glacier has greatly decreased. In addition, ice is mined here for sale in the domestic markets of the country (for cooling), since the climatic conditions here are too hot for human life.

This volcano has long ceased: its last eruption happened 2-3 thousand years ago. By European standards, it is incredibly high. The height of the Chimborazo volcano is 6384 m.

At its very foot, the Guayas River originates.

It is believed that Chomolungma is the highest place on earth. If we take the value from its base to the very top as the height of the mountain, then McKinley and Ararat can be called the highest peaks. And if we also take into account the underground (or underwater) part of the mountain, then the highest mountain peak can be called Mauna Kea, located at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. Only its peak is visible on the water surface.

There is another interesting point. If the height of the mountain is calculated not from the earth's surface or from sea level, and not even from the bottom of the sea, but from the center of the planet, then the mark in Ecuador can be taken as the highest point on the planet Earth. This is Chimborazo volcano.

This volcano has become the most distant point from the center of the Earth due to its favorable geographical location.

origin of name

According to the assumptions of scientists, there is more than one version of the origin of the name of the volcano. From some dialects of the Quechua language, chimba is translated as "on the other side of the river", and razu - as "ice" or "snow".

According to the locals, the word chimbarazu translates as "snow on the other side." There is another version, according to which the name of the volcano came from the addition of two words: schingbu from Chapalach - “woman” and razo from Quechuan - “ice, snow”. When you combine these words, you get "snow woman" or "ice woman."

There are other versions explaining the origin of the name of the mountain.

About Climbing the Chimborazo Volcano

In those days when this majestic giant was considered the highest peak on the planet, many scientists and travelers tried to climb. In 1802, Baron Alexander von Humboldt broke all European records. He reached the mark of 5,875 meters. After Chimborazo lost his championship status, dreamers continued to come to these places to conquer this peak.

An interesting fact is that until 1880 no one suspected that this mountain was a volcano. The climber from England, Edward Wimper, reached the summit of Chimborazo that very year.

Route for tourists

The starting point of the classic climb is the Karela hut, located at around 4,600 meters. A jeep brings tourists to this place, and then the ascent is made up to the mark of 5,000 meters, where the Vampera hut is located. From this point, at midnight, climbers head to another point - Weintemille, located at an altitude of 6,270 meters. Experienced climbers believe that they should be on it no later than 6 o'clock in the morning, since the snow crust begins to melt later. And they usually go down no later than 10 o'clock in the morning, since then there is a possibility of avalanches and stones coming down.

Everyone knows that the volcano is not active today, but other troubles can await travelers. For example, part of the slope up to the El Castillo saddle is quite steep, so unexpected rockfalls often occur here. There are also areas where there is a risk of falling into the abyss when climbing after 8 am.

In conclusion, some features of Chimborazo

To complete our story, here are some interesting additions:

1. According to the stories of some climbers, when you are on the slope of the volcano, you can hear some processes taking place inside it. However, this is highly doubtful.
2. The features of the Chimborazo volcano include the absence of a change of seasons on its slopes. This means that the temperature in this area always remains unchanged. In this regard, the peak can be conquered at any time of the year, but tourists often come here in autumn and winter.
3. A characteristic feature of the volcano is that its surface is completely covered with snow. Under its cover is a centuries-old layer of ice.

The Chimborazo Volcano is the highest point, and until the beginning of the 19th century it was considered the highest mountain in the world. In addition, it is completely safe, which gathers many travelers at its foot. The volcano is located very close to the capital, only 150 kilometers. Tourists staying in the coastal area on a clear day can appreciate the beauty of one of the main attractions of Ecuador and see how the top of the mountain disappears into the clouds, as it is above their level. The total height of the Chimborazo volcano is 6267 meters.

Natural features of Chimborazo

Despite the fact that the volcano leads a calm lifestyle, inside it is far from stormy. Such heat comes from the depths of Chimborazo that the eternal ice, starting at a mark of 4.6 km, is gradually decreasing, becoming the main water resource for the provinces of Chimborazo and Bolivar. Tourists are always happy to try melt water from the top of the highest volcano, besides, it has an extraordinary taste. In addition, ice from Chimborazo is mined for sale in the markets, because the air temperature in Ecuador is very high and the ice helps to escape the heat.

Climbing Chimborazo

Despite the fact that Chimborazo is no longer the highest point in the world, climbers do not lose the desire to climb it. Every year, dozens of professionals and hundreds of amateurs with expensive equipment come here to at least get closer to the top. The peak was first conquered in 1880, then no one knew that Chimborazo was a volcano. Further research showed that the last time the eruption took place back in 550, and there is nothing to fear yet.

The classic ascent program starts from the Karela hut, located at around 4600 meters above sea level. A jeep brings tourists there. At midnight, climbers follow to Weintemill (the fourth point), which is located at an altitude of 6270 meters. You need to go through this path before 6 in the morning, otherwise the ascent will have to be stopped, because after dawn the sun melts the snow crust. After a maximum of four hours, the descent begins, since at 10 am there is a danger of rocks and avalanches coming down. In general, climbing Chimborazo is fraught with many dangers, but experienced guides make the trip both fun and safe.

Where is Chimborazo Volcano located?

The Chimborazo Volcano is located in the Andes mountain range in Ecuador, you can get to it from nearby cities:, Babaoyo, Ambato, or. Once in any of these cities, you can follow the signs to the volcano. Also, in order to admire the beauty of Chimborazo, you can choose a sightseeing bus, during the trip you will learn interesting facts about Chimborazo and its surroundings.

Chimborazo (Ecuador) - detailed description, location, reviews, photos and videos.

• Hot tours Worldwide

At the edge of the earth, in the mysterious country of Ecuador, the top of the Chimborazo volcano, extinct one and a half thousand years ago, which is part of the mountain system of the Western Cordillera Andes, props up the clouds. The name of the volcano comes from the Quechua word "chimbo" - "on the other side", and "rasu" - snow. Its height reaches 6267 m (according to other sources, 6384.4 m) above sea level. The Indians living at its foot still treat the formidable peak with great respect.

Until the 19th century, Chimborazo was considered the highest mountain on the planet. If you measure the height of the mountains from the center of the Earth, Chimborazo is several meters higher than Everest.

ascent

Chimborazo itself is a giant ridge with 4 peaks, the highest of which are Ventmilla (6100) and Whiper (6300). The main feature of the area is the lack of seasonality, so you can conquer the peak at any time of the year. But the best periods are autumn and winter.

The standard ascent takes 2-3 days, but it all depends on the tour you buy. There are two shelters for a halt on Chimborazo: the Lower, located at the end of the road, and the Upper. Classic route:

• starting from the Karela hut at an altitude of 4600 m,
• ascent to a height of 5000 m to the Vampera hut (named after the first person who conquered this peak),
• climb to the fourth peak of Cumbre-Ventimilla - this must be done at night, until the sun melts the crust,
• descent until 10 am, as the danger of rockfalls and avalanches increases later.

Climbing routes

Trek on the North side - Las Muralas Rojas - takes 8-9 hours, the path on the North side through the Telman glacier - 8 hours, the southeast route takes a day and a half, the most difficult route is "Arista del Sol", 2/3 which is a rocky area, lasts 2 days.

As for difficult sections of the path, it is necessary to highlight the section up to the El Castillo saddle - this is a steep slope and on the way back there is a danger of rockfalls, and the section from the top of Ventimiyya (6267 m) to the peak of Vimper (Wimper) (6310 m), where you need to take into account that the snow covering the glacier becomes very soft in the daytime, and it is necessary to overcome it as early as possible, by 7-8 o'clock in the morning.

The city of Riobamba at the foot of Chimborazo

Volcano Chimborazo is the highest point in Ecuador and is located 150 km from its capital - Quito. Its height is 6300 meters above sea level. The top of this mountain is almost always above the level of the clouds, which allows you to watch an unforgettable sight when flying up to Quito on an airliner. Chimborazo is an extinct volcano. Its height is 6267 m (measured using differential GPS in the 1990s), 6310 m (according to the SRTM system). Last erupted in the first millennium AD (presumably 400-700 AD). Its apex is the point on its surface that is farthest from the center of the Earth. From the 16th century to the beginning of the 19th century, Chimborazo was considered the highest peak on earth.

At the foot of the volcano, the Guayas River originates. The province of Chimborazo is also named after the volcano. The top of the volcano is completely covered with ice, in some places descending to a height of 4600 m. Melt water from the mountain is the main water resource for the inhabitants of the provinces of Bolivar and Chimborazo. Over the past decades, the glacier has been greatly reduced due to the effects of global warming, as well as due to the volcanic activity of Chimborazo. Ice from Chimborazo is heavily mined for sale in markets, as well as for cooling cities where the climate is too hot for humans.

There are several versions name origin Chimborazo. In many dialects of the Quechua language, chimba (in other dialects chimpa) means "on the other side", that is, "on the other side of the river" or "on the other side." In addition, the word razu means "snow" or "ice". Locals believe that the combination of these two words - chimbarazu - means "snow on the other side." According to another theory, the name is composed of the Chapalachian Schingbu - "woman" - and the Quechuan Razo, "ice (snow)", and together means "ice (snow) woman". There are other versions of the origin of the name.

At a time when Chimborazo had the status of the highest mountain in the world, many summit attempts . In 1802, Baron Alexander von Humboldt managed to reach a height of 5875 m, breaking all European records. And today Chimborazo remains one of the most visited mountains in Ecuador. The classic ascent starts from the Karela hut, located at an altitude of 4600 m, where the jeep drives. Next, you need to climb to a height of 5000 m, to the Vampera hut. At midnight, from the Vamper hut, climbers go to the fourth peak, Veintemille, whose height is 6267 m. You need to get here before 6 in the morning, until the sun melts the crust, and go down no later than 10 o’clock, as the danger of rockfalls and avalanches grows. The total climbing time takes 13-16 hours.

PHOTOS OF THE CHIMBORAZO VOLCANO IN ECUADOR

• EVENTS.

  Ecuador- a country of volcanoes and amazing flora and fauna, located right on the equator line.

  All the climatic zones of our planet are located on the territory of Ecuador, there are more than 20 national parks and ecological reserves in the country, occupying about 16% of the territory.
  We invite you to climb Chimborazo (6310 m.) is an extinct volcano, the highest point in Ecuador. This volcano is unique in that its summit is the most distant point on its surface from the center of the Earth. From the 16th century to the beginning of the 19th century, Chimborazo was considered the highest peak on Earth.

  In this program, as part of acclimatization, we will also climb Pichincha volcano (4776 m).

  And walks in Quito and additional excursions to the city with thermal springs of Banos, a real Indian market of Otavalo, will make this trip unforgettable.

  Requirements for participants: the climbing program for Chimborazo (6310 m.) is available to physically trained and prepared people with previous experience of hiking and climbing. Mountaineering experience is required to participate in the program.

  Note: The program is not final and may be adjusted depending on the weather, the condition of the participants and other factors..

Day 1- Arrival at Quito(2818 m.), the capital of Ecuador. Transfer to the hotel.

Day 2- Tour of the center. Excursion trip to the equator line. Overnight in Quito.

Day 3- Exit to Pichincha volcano(4776 m.)
In the morning we go to the acclimatization hike to the Pichincha volcano (4696 m.), located on the border of Quito. Rise on the highest cable car in the world "Teleferico" to a height of 4000m. From the top, in clear weather, a breathtaking view of the city and surroundings opens up. Descent from the top. Overnight in Quito.

Day 4- Moving to the city Riobamba at the foot Chimborazo. Next, transfer to the Ermanes Karel shelter located at an altitude of 4800 meters. It will take about 4 hours, in the remaining time we can make an acclimatization walk.

Day 5- Mountain shelter Carell(4800 m.) - mountain shelter whimper(5000 m.)
Day of acclimatization. Today, a short hike to the next mountain hut, Whymper, possibly one of the highest in the world.
whimper- assault hut for climbing. Kitchen with gas, large dining room, rooms from 2 to 20 people.
Further classes with climbing equipment and an acclimatization trip with a return to the shelter.

Day 6- Climbing the summit of Chimborazo(6310 m.)
Difficult and busy day. The ascent starts at midnight and takes approximately 8-9 hours. Way: constant movement on snow and ice fields. Climbing is rated as "difficult", but all physically prepared people can do it. Basic mountain climbing experience on snow and ice is required. In clear weather, from the top you can observe an amazing panorama of the volcanoes of Ecuador. Then the descent to the whimper shelter. Trek to the shelter Karel.

Day 7- Reserve day.

Day 8- Reserve day.

Day 9- Transfer and overnight stay Riobamba or in Quito.

Day 10- Departure to the airport. Homecoming.

Note:the program is not final and may be adjusted depending on the weather, the condition of the participants and other factors.

If the reserve days are not spent, then at the request of the group we will see some of the best places in Ecuador, for example, we will make an excursion to Otavalo(a large Indian market near Quito) or an excursion to the resort town Banos.
Baños got its name from its numerous thermal springs and pools of hot and cold mineral water. Some thermal springs gush out Tungurahua volcano. Other baths contain melt water from the icy peaks of the same volcano. Visit to the observation deck overlooking the active volcano Tungurahua.

• INCLUDED:

  Transfers along the route;
  - group transfer from the airport;
  - accommodation in hostels / hotels in Quito and Riobamba;
  - accommodation in shelters on the ascent;
  - rental of public equipment (ropes, kitchen, gas);
  - climbing permits, entrance tickets to national parks;
  - meals during trekking;
  - services of a Russian guide;
  - first aid kit, gps.

  NOT INCLUDED :

  Air tickets to Ecuador (from $700);
  - food in cities (10-15 dollars a day);
  - insurance (is mandatory);
  - special rental climbing equipment (cramps, ice ax, system, helmet);
  - transfers during excursions on reserve days (to Otavalo, Banos);
  - airport transfer;
  - additional expenses (souvenirs, etc.);
  - tips for the guide (optional, but he will be happy with them).

Special conditions:
Absence of diseases incompatible with active tourism:

Basic clothes and equipment for climbing:

Visa:
Citizens of Ukraine, Russia and Belarus do not need a visa to visit this country. Upon arrival at Quito Airport, you only need to provide a passport valid for 6 months from the date of entry.

Medicine:
At the exits, the group first-aid kit is at the guide. It is better to have your own set of medicines for individual diseases and chronic diseases.

Safety:
This program is potentially dangerous to the health and life of any of the participants.
Guides will provide you with the necessary safety, provided that you follow the safety rules. The guide has a walkie-talkie, GPS (satellite navigation device), and other necessary group equipment.
The decision to stop climbing in conditions that threaten the safety of the participants is in the exclusive competence of the guide accompanying the group on the route, and is not subject to discussion.
The guide is obliged to take measures to ensure the safety of the group on all types of mountainous terrain.