Sincholagua Volcano

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sincholagua Volcano

Elevation 4,873 m (15,988 ft)

Location

Sincholagua Volcano

Ecuador
Range

Andes

03244.86N
Coordinates 782159.69WCoordinates:
03244.86N 782159.69W
Geology
Stratovolcano, Historical
Type
Last
1877
eruption
Climbing
First ascent 1880
Easiest
Scramble
route

Sincholagua is an inactive volcano located in Ecuador 17 km (11 mi) northeast of

Cotopaxi Volcano and 45 km (28 mi) southeast of Quito.[1] It is the 12th highest peak in
the country at 4,873 m (15,988 ft) but also one of the lesser known ones. The name of
the mountain comes from the indigenous language Quichua and means "strong
above".[2] Due to its close proximity to Cotopaxi, the second highest peak in Ecuador
and the most popular volcano, it is far less frequently visited compared to other
mountains in the country. It has a sharp peak and at one point had glacial cover year
round, but all of the glaciers melted a few decades ago. However, snow can still be seen
on the peak since there is there is sometimes heavy snowfall at the summit. [3]

Climbing Sincholagua
Sincholagua is one or the least frequently climbed mountains in Ecuador because it is
difficult to access and less well known compared to other mountains and volcanoes in
the country. There is also a long hike to access it compared to other volcanoes like
Pichincha and Cotopaxi, making it more difficult to get to.[4] Sincholagua is best known
for views of the surrounding mountains such as Cotopaxi and Antisana as well as the
Western Cordillera and the Amazon rainforest. The climb is of moderate difficulty and
takes an estimated three hours and thirty minutes to reach the summit from base camp
with ideal weather conditions.[3] The Northwest ridge is the normal route up the
mountain and was used by the first climbers. People who want to climb it usually come
in from the south through Cotopaxi National Park to reach the volcano. It can also be
accessed from Quito.[1]

History
The first person to reach the summit of Sincholagua was Edward Whymper in 1880.[3]
He is best known for being the first to ascend Matterhorn mountain in Switzerland.
Sincholagua lost all permanent glaciers on its peak decades ago, but before that had a
glacier cover about 1.5 kilometers long.[1] A river that runs around and on the mountain,
the Ro Pita, widened due to the last major eruption in 1877. When Whymper climbed
Sincholagua, the Ro Pita was 200 feet wide and 3 feet deep, and in 1892, after the
eruption it was 1,100 feet wide and 50 feet deep at its widest and deepest. Currently it is
considered a stream.[2]

Edward Whymper, an English illustrator, was the first person to ascend Sincholagua.

References
1.
Rachoweicki, Rob and Mark Thurber. Ecuador: Climbing and Hiking Guide. Viva
Pub. Network, 2008. p.208.
Brain, Yossi, Ecuador: A Climbing Guide, Seattle: Mountaineers, 2000. p.125.
http://www.summitpost.org/sincholagua/672776. Andean, Boriss. "Sincholagua:
Climbing, Hiking, and Mountaineering". summitpost.com. 8/16/12, 9/29/13
Newton, Paula. V!va Travel Guides: Ecuador and the Galapgos Islands. Viva Pub.
Network, 2008 p.218.