Ojos del Salado
🏔️ Overview
Ojos del Salado is the highest volcano on Earth, the highest mountain in Chile, and the second-highest mountain in South America. Rising to approximately 6,893 meters (22,615 feet), this enormous volcanic massif straddles the border between Chile and Argentina in one of the driest high-mountain environments on the planet.
Only Aconcagua rises higher in the Americas. The two summits differ in elevation by approximately 68 meters, yet their surroundings are strikingly different. While Aconcagua stands farther south among the high mountains of western Argentina, Ojos del Salado occupies the remote volcanic plateaus of the Puna de Atacama, where salt flats, turquoise lagoons, lava fields, and barren mountain slopes stretch toward the horizon.
Despite its extraordinary height, Ojos del Salado is not permanently covered by extensive glaciers. The surrounding Atacama region receives so little precipitation that much of the mountain remains exposed rock, volcanic debris, and isolated snowfields. Its upper slopes nevertheless contain one of the highest known lakes on Earth, a remarkable crater lake situated around 6,480 meters above sea level.
The mountain also occupies a unique place in international mountaineering. It represents South America in both the Volcanic Seven Summits and the Seven Second Summits, making it one of the few major peaks associated with two separate global climbing challenges.
⚡ Fast Facts
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Continent | South America |
| Country | Chile and Argentina |
| State/Province | Atacama Region, Chile; Catamarca Province, Argentina |
| County/Region | Copiapó Province, Chile; Tinogasta Department, Argentina |
| Mountain Range | Andes Mountains |
| Parent Peak | Aconcagua |
| Elevation | Approximately 6,893 m / 22,615 ft |
| Prominence | Approximately 3,688 m / 12,100 ft |
| Isolation | Approximately 631 km / 392 mi |
| Nearest Higher Neighbor (NHN) | Aconcagua |
| Coordinates | Approximately 27.109° S, 68.541° W |
| Mountain Type | Complex volcanic massif and stratovolcano |
| Volcanic Region | Central Andean Volcanic Arc |
| Last Confirmed Eruption | Approximately 750 CE, with an uncertainty of approximately 250 years |
| First Recorded Ascent | February 26, 1937 |
| First Ascensionists | Jan Alfred Szczepański and Justyn Wojsznis |
| National Ranking | Highest mountain in Chile |
| Continental Ranking | Second-highest mountain in South America |
| Global Distinction | Highest volcano on Earth |
| Major Climbing Lists | Volcanic Seven Summits; Seven Second Summits |
| Common Climbing Season | Approximately November through March |
📍 Location
Ojos del Salado rises directly on the international boundary between northern Chile and northwestern Argentina. Its western slopes lie in Chile’s Atacama Region, while its eastern slopes descend into Catamarca Province, Argentina.
The mountain belongs to the southern Puna de Atacama, an exceptionally high desert plateau associated with the Central Andes. Depending on how geographical boundaries are drawn, the Ojos del Salado–Nevado Tres Cruces region also forms a transition toward the Southern Andes.
Much of the surrounding plateau stands more than 4,000 meters above sea level. From a distance, the mountain can therefore appear less dramatic than its nearly 6,900-meter elevation suggests. Its immense height becomes more apparent when considered alongside the already elevated desert landscape surrounding it.
The principal Chilean gateway is Copiapó, the capital of the Atacama Region. From there, travelers generally follow Route 31 toward Paso de San Francisco and the high volcanic landscapes collectively known as the Ruta de los Seismiles, or Route of the Six-Thousanders.
On the Argentine side, the town of Fiambalá serves as an important access point to the high mountains of western Catamarca. Roads and desert tracks lead toward the international border, but approaches from Argentina are generally longer and more remote than the commonly used Chilean route.
The mountain lies within a remarkable concentration of major volcanic peaks, including Nevado Tres Cruces, Incahuasi, El Muerto, Tipas, and Monte Pissis.
📏 Elevation & Prominence
The most widely cited elevation for Ojos del Salado is 6,893 meters, or 22,615 feet. This figure appears in Chilean tourism materials, mountaineering references, scientific research, and numerous international mountain lists.
However, published elevations are not entirely consistent. The Smithsonian Institution’s Global Volcanism Program lists the mountain at 6,879 meters, while other references have used figures around 6,885 meters, 6,887 meters, or 6,891 meters.
These differences reflect the challenges of surveying remote mountain summits, variations between datasets, and the complicated shape of Ojos del Salado’s upper volcanic complex. The mountain contains multiple rocky high points, and historical surveys did not always agree on the precise elevation of the highest summit.
For consistency with widely used mountaineering sources and Chile’s tourism authority, this guide uses 6,893 meters.
Regardless of the exact measurement, Ojos del Salado remains:
- The highest volcano on Earth.
- The highest mountain in Chile.
- The second-highest mountain in South America.
- The second-highest mountain in the Western Hemisphere.
- One of the highest mountains outside Asia.
Its topographic prominence is approximately 3,688 meters, or 12,100 feet. That comfortably exceeds the 1,500-meter threshold used to classify a mountain as an ultra-prominent peak.
Ojos del Salado’s topographic isolation is approximately 631 kilometers, or 392 miles. Its nearest higher neighbor is Aconcagua, which rises farther south in Argentina.
Is Ojos del Salado Higher Than Aconcagua?
No. Aconcagua reaches approximately 6,961 meters, while Ojos del Salado is usually listed at 6,893 meters.
The difference is approximately 68 meters, or 223 feet.
During the 1950s, inaccurate measurements and misleading reports led to temporary speculation that Ojos del Salado might be higher than Aconcagua. An American Alpine Club expedition surveyed the mountain in 1956 and confirmed that Aconcagua remained the highest peak in the Americas.
🪨 Geology
Ojos del Salado is not a single, perfectly symmetrical volcanic cone. It is a complicated volcanic massif containing overlapping lava domes, craters, pyroclastic cones, lava flows, and volcanic depressions.
The Smithsonian classifies it as a composite volcano and stratovolcano associated with the Central Andean Volcanic Arc. Its summit complex developed over an older, partly buried caldera and includes multiple eruptive centers distributed across the upper mountain.
The volcano formed because the Nazca Plate is being forced beneath the South American Plate along the western margin of the continent. This process, known as subduction, contributes to magma formation beneath the Andes and has created extensive chains of volcanic mountains throughout Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia.
Volcanic rocks identified at Ojos del Salado include:
- Dacite.
- Andesite.
- Basaltic andesite.
- Rhyolite.
- Pumice and other pyroclastic deposits.
Some eruptions produced thick lava flows, while others generated explosive activity and deposits of volcanic ash and pumice. These overlapping events gradually built the large volcanic landscape visible today.
The mountain’s summit area contains several irregular rocky high points rather than one isolated crater rim. Its two best-known summit towers are often called the Chilean and Argentine summits, although both are associated with the international boundary.
Is Ojos del Salado an Active Volcano?
Ojos del Salado is commonly described as the highest active volcano in the world, but the word “active” requires some explanation.
The volcano is not currently erupting, and no clearly confirmed eruption has occurred during modern recorded history. However, the Smithsonian identifies a confirmed eruption around 750 CE, with an estimated uncertainty of approximately 250 years.
Fumaroles and other geothermal features demonstrate that volcanic heat remains present beneath the mountain. In November 1993, observers reported a temporary plume containing water vapor and volcanic gases. Whether that event constituted an actual eruption remains uncertain.
For practical purposes, Ojos del Salado is best described as a dormant but geologically active volcanic system. It is not extinct, but it should not be confused with a volcano experiencing a major ongoing eruption.
💧 The High-Altitude Crater Lake
One of the most extraordinary features of Ojos del Salado is a small crater lake situated at approximately 6,480 meters, or 21,260 feet, above sea level.
Scientific research has described it as the highest known lake on Earth. The lake occupies a volcanic depression high on the mountain and survives despite intense cold, persistent wind, limited atmospheric oxygen, and the extremely dry conditions of the surrounding desert.
Geothermal activity helps create an unusual combination of environmental conditions. Some water associated with the crater system is cold and acidic, while other water influenced by fumarolic activity can be substantially warmer.
Researchers have identified bacterial communities capable of surviving in these highly demanding conditions. Their work has attracted interest in astrobiology because the combination of cold, aridity, volcanic activity, intense ultraviolet radiation, and limited organic material resembles certain environmental conditions scientists consider relevant when studying Mars.
The crater lake should not be confused with Laguna Verde, the larger and more accessible lake used by many expeditions during acclimatization. Laguna Verde lies thousands of meters below the summit.
Reported elevations for the crater lake vary among climbing accounts, but peer-reviewed research identifies a lake at approximately 6,480 meters.
🌿 Flora & Fauna
The upper slopes of Ojos del Salado are among the least hospitable mountain environments in South America. Extreme elevation, powerful winds, freezing temperatures, intense sunlight, limited soil, and exceptionally low precipitation make it difficult for conventional vegetation to survive.
Above approximately 4,600–5,000 meters, plant life becomes increasingly scarce. The highest slopes consist primarily of volcanic gravel, bare rock, snow patches, ice, and frozen ground.
Even so, the surrounding high-desert ecosystem is not lifeless. Lower valleys, seasonal wetlands, lagoons, and protected pockets of vegetation support a surprising variety of wildlife.
Animals associated with the wider Puna de Atacama and nearby lagoons include:
- Vicuñas.
- Guanacos.
- Andean foxes.
- Flamingos.
- Andean geese.
- Ducks and other high-altitude waterbirds.
- Small mammals adapted to cold desert environments.
- Occasional large soaring birds, including the Andean Condor.
Laguna Santa Rosa and the surrounding wetlands are among the best places to observe wildlife. Flamingos feed in the shallow water, while vicuñas and guanacos may graze where limited vegetation survives around the margins of the plateau.
The contrast between these living wetlands and the barren upper slopes of Ojos del Salado demonstrates how strongly water availability shapes life in the Atacama highlands.
Microbial life also survives at elevations far above the normal limits of plants and larger animals. Research around the mountain’s crater lake has documented bacteria adapted to acidity, cold, geothermal conditions, and extremely limited nutrients.
🥾 Hiking & Climbing Routes
Ojos del Salado can be climbed from either Chile or Argentina, but the Chilean approach is generally the more established option.
Although much of the standard route involves hiking or scrambling rather than sustained technical climbing, the mountain should never be considered easy. At nearly 6,900 meters, the combination of extreme altitude, cold, isolation, wind, and dehydration creates a serious expedition environment.
Most successful climbing itineraries include several days of gradual acclimatization before the summit attempt.
Chilean Normal Route
The standard Chilean approach usually begins in Copiapó and follows the high desert roads toward Laguna Santa Rosa, Laguna Verde, and the mountain’s western or northwestern slopes.
A typical expedition gradually progresses through several elevation zones:
- Copiapó or another lower-elevation staging point.
- Laguna Santa Rosa, approximately 3,760 meters.
- Laguna Verde, approximately 4,200–4,350 meters.
- An acclimatization climb on a nearby mountain.
- Refugio Atacama, approximately 5,200–5,300 meters.
- Refugio Tejos, approximately 5,750–5,900 meters.
- The summit of Ojos del Salado, approximately 6,893 meters.
Published elevations for the refuges vary between sources, so these figures should be treated as approximate.
High-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicles can reach some elevated camps under suitable conditions. However, driving to a high camp does not replace acclimatization. Rapid vehicle access can increase the risk of altitude illness by moving climbers into an extreme environment before their bodies have adapted.
From the upper refuge, summit day generally involves ascending loose volcanic terrain, crossing areas of snow or ice when present, and negotiating a short, exposed rock section near the highest point.
Fixed ropes may sometimes be present, but their condition and availability should never be assumed. Climbers should have the equipment and technical ability needed for the actual conditions encountered.
Argentine Approaches
Routes from Argentina generally begin around Fiambalá and the remote mountains of western Catamarca.
Compared with the Chilean side, Argentine approaches can involve longer vehicle journeys, less developed infrastructure, and greater logistical complexity. They may appeal to experienced expedition teams seeking a quieter and more isolated route.
The same fundamental challenges apply: extreme elevation, scarce water, difficult navigation, severe weather, and limited rescue access.
Travelers should confirm local regulations, route access, and border-related requirements before attempting an ascent from either side.
Acclimatization Peaks
Expeditions frequently climb nearby mountains before attempting Ojos del Salado. These shorter objectives allow climbers to assess their condition, gain experience at elevation, and adapt gradually to the low-oxygen environment.
Possible acclimatization objectives may include:
- Cerro Mulas Muertas.
- Volcán San Francisco.
- Cerro Siete Hermanos.
- Other accessible peaks selected according to weather, route conditions, and guide recommendations.
A carefully paced itinerary is generally more valuable than an aggressive schedule. The mountain’s technical difficulties may be modest compared with some major alpine peaks, but its altitude is exceptionally demanding.
🏔️ Field Guide Tip: Treat Ojos del Salado as a full high-altitude expedition, not a convenient desert hike. A vehicle can take you high onto the mountain, but it cannot provide acclimatization, prevent altitude illness, or make severe weather less dangerous.
🎒 Expedition Gear & Safety
Climbers need equipment appropriate for nearly 7,000 meters, even during the Southern Hemisphere summer.
A well-prepared expedition commonly requires:
- Insulated mountaineering boots.
- Layered cold-weather clothing.
- A heavy insulated jacket.
- Windproof outer layers.
- Insulated gloves and spare liners.
- A warm hat and face covering.
- Glacier glasses or high-quality mountain sunglasses.
- Sunscreen and protective lip balm.
- Trekking poles.
- A helmet for the upper mountain.
- A climbing harness and appropriate rope equipment.
- Crampons and an ice axe when conditions require them.
- Reliable navigation equipment.
- A satellite communication or emergency messaging device.
- Adequate water, food, and fuel.
- A first-aid kit and an emergency evacuation plan.
For help choosing equipment, see Essential Mountaineering Gear: A Comprehensive Guide for Every Climber and The Ultimate Guide to Sun Protection for Mountain Climbers.
Useful expedition equipment can also be compared here:
- Browse mountaineering glacier glasses on Amazon
- Browse insulated mountaineering boots on Amazon
- Browse satellite communicators on Amazon
Altitude Illness
The greatest danger on Ojos del Salado is often the mountain’s elevation rather than its climbing grade.
Symptoms of altitude illness can include headache, nausea, unusual fatigue, dizziness, reduced appetite, and difficulty sleeping. More serious warning signs include confusion, loss of coordination, worsening weakness, persistent coughing, and shortness of breath while resting.
Anyone developing symptoms should stop ascending. Severe symptoms or symptoms that worsen while resting require immediate descent and urgent medical attention.
Physical fitness does not guarantee protection from altitude illness. Gradual acclimatization, conservative pacing, appropriate medical advice, and a willingness to abandon a summit attempt are essential.
For additional safety information, see Mountaineering First Aid: Common Injuries, Emergencies & What to Do.
📜 First Ascent & Mountaineering History
The first widely recognized ascent of Ojos del Salado occurred on February 26, 1937, when Polish climbers Jan Alfred Szczepański and Justyn Wojsznis reached the summit.
Their ascent formed part of a broader Polish expedition exploring the remote mountains of the Atacama borderlands. Other members of the expedition climbed nearby Nevado Tres Cruces while Szczepański and Wojsznis approached the higher volcanic massif.
The route was difficult to identify because the region contains numerous overlapping ridges, volcanic summits, and high plateaus. Early climbers faced substantial uncertainty about which visible peak was actually the highest.
During the 1950s, interest in Ojos del Salado increased after reports suggested it might surpass Aconcagua in elevation. Some estimates placed the mountain above 7,000 meters, but those figures relied on unreliable measurements or confusion between different summits.
An American Alpine Club expedition visited the region in 1956 to investigate the conflicting claims. Its survey determined that Ojos del Salado was lower than Aconcagua, resolving the principal question about which mountain was highest in the Western Hemisphere.
The historical debate illustrates how difficult accurate mountain surveying could be in remote desert regions before modern satellite positioning and improved mapping.
🌤️ Best Time to Visit
The main climbing season generally falls during the Southern Hemisphere’s warmer months, particularly November through March.
December, January, and February are often favored because they offer longer daylight hours and less severe temperatures than winter. Chile’s tourism authority identifies a broader potential climbing window extending approximately from October through April, depending on conditions.
Even during the most favorable months, the mountain remains extremely cold and exposed. Strong winds can develop at any time, and snowstorms are possible despite the region’s overall dryness.
Conditions that influence climbing plans include:
- High winds.
- Rapid temperature changes.
- Snow and ice on the upper mountain.
- Road conditions.
- Availability of water.
- Refuge access.
- Border and permit requirements.
- Visibility and navigation conditions.
Winter ascents are considerably more demanding. Shorter days, severe cold, strong winds, and potentially difficult road access create additional challenges even when precipitation remains limited.
Travelers visiting Laguna Verde, Laguna Santa Rosa, or the Ruta de los Seismiles without attempting the summit should still remember that much of the surrounding terrain lies above 4,000 meters. Altitude illness can affect ordinary visitors as well as climbers.
🧭 Nearby Mountains & Attractions
Nevado Tres Cruces
Nevado Tres Cruces is a major volcanic massif northwest of Ojos del Salado. Its highest summit reaches approximately 6,749 meters, making it one of the highest mountains in Chile and Argentina.
The mountain gives its name to Nevado Tres Cruces National Park, which protects important high-altitude lagoons, wetlands, and desert ecosystems.
Monte Pissis
Monte Pissis rises in northwestern Argentina and is commonly recognized as one of the highest volcanoes on Earth.
Its summit reaches approximately 6,793 meters, placing it below Ojos del Salado but among the highest mountains in the Americas. Like Ojos del Salado, it stands in an extremely dry landscape characterized by volcanic plateaus, colorful lagoons, and long expedition approaches.
Incahuasi
Nevado de Incahuasi stands northeast of Ojos del Salado along the Chile–Argentina border. It is another enormous volcanic mountain, with published elevations generally placing it above 6,600 meters.
Its name is commonly translated as “House of the Inca,” reflecting the region’s long connection with Andean cultures and high-mountain travel.
Cerro Tipas
Cerro Tipas, also known as Walter Penck or Cazadero, rises immediately south of Ojos del Salado on the Argentine side of the border.
At approximately 6,658 meters, it is one of the highest volcanic mountains on Earth. Its position near the much better-known Ojos del Salado means it receives comparatively little international attention.
Laguna Verde
Laguna Verde is a high-altitude salt lake situated at approximately 4,200–4,350 meters, depending on the location and source.
Its striking turquoise or emerald-colored water contrasts sharply with the pale desert and volcanic mountains surrounding it. Hot springs near the shoreline are particularly attractive to expeditions spending time in the area.
Laguna Verde is commonly used as an acclimatization base before climbers move higher on Ojos del Salado.
Laguna Santa Rosa
Laguna Santa Rosa lies at approximately 3,760 meters within Nevado Tres Cruces National Park.
The lagoon provides habitat for flamingos and other high-altitude wildlife, and its surroundings offer views of the volcanic mountains rising above the Atacama plateau.
For many expeditions, it serves as an early acclimatization stop before continuing toward Laguna Verde and the upper mountain.
Ruta de los Seismiles
The Ruta de los Seismiles passes through one of the world’s greatest concentrations of mountains exceeding 6,000 meters.
The route connects landscapes containing salt flats, volcanic peaks, high lagoons, thermal springs, and isolated desert valleys. Ojos del Salado is its best-known summit, but the broader region contains many other major mountains, including Nevado Tres Cruces, Incahuasi, San Francisco, and El Solo.
Aconcagua
Aconcagua lies approximately 631 kilometers south of Ojos del Salado and is the only higher mountain in South America.
Although both peaks are major high-altitude objectives in the Andes, Aconcagua is not an active volcano. Its greater elevation results primarily from tectonic uplift and geological deformation rather than a modern volcanic cone.
💡 Fun Facts
- Ojos del Salado is the highest volcano on Earth.
- It is the highest mountain in Chile and the second-highest mountain in South America.
- Its summit stands directly on the Chile–Argentina border.
- Aconcagua is only approximately 68 meters higher.
- The mountain belongs to both the Volcanic Seven Summits and the Seven Second Summits.
- Its crater lake, located near 6,480 meters, has been described in scientific research as the highest known lake on Earth.
- Researchers study its extreme environment as a possible terrestrial comparison for certain conditions on Mars.
- Despite its enormous elevation, Ojos del Salado has relatively little permanent ice because the surrounding region is so dry.
- Its first recorded ascent was made by Polish climbers in 1937.
- Historical reports once incorrectly suggested that it might be higher than Aconcagua.
- The name is associated with saline springs, lagoons, or the Río Salado, although translations and historical interpretations vary.
- Its nearest higher neighbor lies more than 600 kilometers away.
❓ FAQ
Where Is Ojos del Salado?
Ojos del Salado lies on the border between Chile’s Atacama Region and Argentina’s Catamarca Province. It rises in the Andes within the high desert landscape of the Puna de Atacama.
How High Is Ojos del Salado?
Ojos del Salado is commonly listed at approximately 6,893 meters, or 22,615 feet.
Some authoritative sources publish slightly different elevations, including 6,879 meters. These variations reflect differences in mapping and surveying.
Is Ojos del Salado the Highest Volcano in the World?
Yes. Ojos del Salado is widely recognized as the highest volcano on Earth when measured above sea level.
Is Ojos del Salado the Highest Mountain in South America?
No. Aconcagua is the highest mountain in South America at approximately 6,961 meters.
Ojos del Salado is the continent’s second-highest mountain.
Is Ojos del Salado in Chile or Argentina?
It is in both countries. The summit lies on the international border between Chile and Argentina.
Because Chile shares the summit, Ojos del Salado is also Chile’s highest mountain.
Is Ojos del Salado an Active Volcano?
It is commonly described as an active or dormant volcano because it has erupted within the geologically recent past and still displays geothermal activity.
The Smithsonian identifies its last confirmed eruption as occurring around 750 CE. A reported plume in 1993 remains uncertain as an actual eruption.
Can Beginners Climb Ojos del Salado?
Ojos del Salado is not suitable for inexperienced climbers simply because its normal route is relatively nontechnical.
Its nearly 6,900-meter elevation, intense cold, remote location, high winds, and potential altitude illness make it a serious expedition objective. Previous high-altitude experience and professional logistical support are strongly recommended.
How Long Does It Take to Climb Ojos del Salado?
Many expeditions last approximately 8–15 days, depending on acclimatization, weather, route conditions, and the number of preparation climbs included.
Longer itineraries generally allow more flexibility and a safer approach to altitude.
Do You Need a Permit to Climb Ojos del Salado?
Permit, registration, and access requirements can vary according to nationality, route, season, and the side of the border used.
Chile’s tourism authority states that foreign climbers may need authorization from the country’s border authority, DIFROL. Travelers should confirm current requirements directly with relevant authorities and qualified local guides before departure.
What Is the Highest Lake on Ojos del Salado?
A crater lake situated at approximately 6,480 meters has been identified in scientific research as the highest known lake on Earth.
The lake is associated with extreme cold, volcanic activity, acidity, and specialized microbial communities.
When Was Ojos del Salado First Climbed?
The first widely recognized ascent occurred on February 26, 1937.
Polish mountaineers Jan Alfred Szczepański and Justyn Wojsznis reached the summit during an expedition exploring the high Andes of Chile and Argentina.
What Does Ojos del Salado Mean?
The name is associated with saline springs, saltwater features, or the Río Salado. In regional geographical usage, “ojos” can refer to springs or sources of water, so the name is often interpreted more naturally as a reference to the sources or springs of a salty river rather than simply a literal translation of “salty eyes.”
🔗 Related Articles
- Aconcagua
- Monte Pissis
- Cerro Mercedario
- The Andes
- The Central Andes
- The Southern Andes
- Mountains in Chile
- Mountains in Argentina: Highest Peaks, Ranges, and Hiking Destinations
- Mountains in South America
- The Volcanic Seven Summits
- Seven Second Summits: The World’s Toughest Continental Mountaineering Challenge
- Essential Mountaineering Gear: A Comprehensive Guide for Every Climber
📚 Sources
- Peakbagger — Ojos del Salado
- Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program — Nevados Ojos del Salado
- American Alpine Club — Ojos del Salado
- Chile Travel — Ruta de los Seismiles: Touch the Sky in the Atacama Region
- Astrobiology — Effects of Active Volcanism on Bacterial Communities in the Highest-Altitude Crater Lake of Ojos del Salado
- Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program — Tipas
- Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program — Nevado de Incahuasi
- CDC Yellow Book — High-Altitude Travel and Altitude Illness
- DIFROL — Chilean National Directorate of State Borders and Boundaries
