Central Andean Highlands

Here is situated the highest volcano in the world - Ojos del Salado. Ascent to the Ojos del Salado - is a unique opportunity for beginners in high altitude mountaineering who want to find out whether they can tolerate the height. Except for the last 100 meters before the summit, the route is very ease to climb from the technical point of view. It mostly passes onto volcano slopes which at times compete in jeeps trying to beat another world record by achieving the most elevated point. In addition, this volcano tops the list of "7 Volcanoes" being the highest volcano on the Earth.

Central Andean Highlands are a mountain range that is a part of the Central Andes. It's a huge high-altitude plateau located in Bolivia, Chile and Argentina. The average elevation of the plateau is more than 4000 meters above sea level that makes it one of the biggest high-elevated plateau in the world except of Tibetan Plateau. The highest peak here is the Nevado Ojos del Salado, towering the plateau at 6893 meters above sea level. Except the Ojos del Salado there is about a dozen other volcanoes with altitude above 6000 meters. The air in Central Andean Highlands is so dry that average snow line here is more than 6500 meters that makes it the most elevated snow line in South America.

The bulk part of Central Andean Highlands is located in Argentina whilst its quarter lied in Chile. Nevertheless the highest mountains belonging to Central Andean Highlands are situated in Chile.

Volcano Ojos del Salado is the highest mountain in the world below the snow line. Thus despite an elevation of 6 893 meters above sea level, the summit of the volcano has no permanent snow cap. Due to the unique region's climate the accumulation of solid precipitation at the top of volcano doesn't prevail over its melting and evaporation.

 

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