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22,615 ft · Andes (Puna de Atacama), Chile / Argentina

Ojos del Salado

Ojos del Salado is a 22,615 ft peak in the Andes (Puna de Atacama), Chile / Argentina. The standard route is the Chilean Route: 10 mi, 5,554 ft of gain, Class 2.

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Ojos del Salado in the Andes (Puna de Atacama), Chile / Argentina

Ojos del Salado at a glance

  • Elevation22,615 ft6,893 m
  • RouteChilean RouteClass 2
  • Distance10 mi5,554 ft gain
  • Time7 – 12 daysExtreme effort
  • SeasonNov – Mar (austral summer)
  • RangeAndes (Puna de Atacama)Chile / Argentina

Climbing the Chilean Route

Fly to Copiapo, Chile, then drive about 7 hours to Laguna Verde at the base. Refugios (basic huts) are available at several camps on the mountain. The Argentine side is also accessible with different logistics. Extreme dryness and high winds are the primary hazards at this altitude (22,615 feet). Non-technical climbing but the altitude is debilitating for most. Acclimatization over multiple days or weeks is essential. Permit required from Chilean authorities. Cold nights with temperatures well below freezing. This is the highest volcano on Earth and the second highest peak in the Western Hemisphere.

Gear and hazards

What to bring

  • Backpack (40–55 L)
  • Ice Axe
  • Crampons
  • Gaiters
  • Harness
  • Carabiners
  • Helmet
  • Belay Device
  • Mountaineering Boots
  • Base Layer
  • Midlayer
  • Insulated Jacket
  • Hardshell Jacket
  • Warm Hat
  • Buff
  • Expedition Mittens
  • Trekking Poles
  • GPS Device
  • Power Bank
  • Sleeping Bag (-20°F to -40°F)
  • Sleeping Pad
  • First-Aid Kit
  • Offline Maps
  • Headlamp
  • Satellite Communicator
  • Whistle
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen

What to watch for

  • High altitude
  • Dry conditions
  • High winds
  • Loose rock
  • Snow near summit
  • Ice near summit
  • Remote location
  • Avalanches
  • Glacier travel
  • Crevasses
  • Altitude sickness
  • Extreme cold
  • Storms

Quests with Ojos del Salado

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Ojos del Salado?

Ojos del Salado is 22,615 feet (6,893 m) tall. It is in the Andes (Puna de Atacama), Chile / Argentina.

How hard is it to climb Ojos del Salado?

The Chilean Route is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort extreme: 10 miles with 5,554 feet of elevation gain.

How many days does it take to climb Ojos del Salado?

Most climbers plan 7 – 12 days for the Chilean Route, with days set aside to acclimatize.

Is Ojos del Salado dangerous to climb?

It has real risks: avalanche and icefall danger, crevasses on the glacier and rockfall from loose rock. Teams rope up for glacier travel, and many first-timers climb with a guide.

Do you need crampons and an ice axe for Ojos del Salado?

Plan on it. Crampons and an ice axe are on the gear list for the Chilean Route for the snow and ice on the upper mountain, along with mountaineering boots that take crampons. Conditions vary through the season, so check recent reports before you go.

Do you need to acclimatize to climb Ojos del Salado?

Yes. At 22,615 feet, Ojos del Salado is high enough for serious altitude illness. Climbers acclimatize over days or weeks, climbing high and sleeping low, and descend at the first signs of trouble.

When is the best time to climb Ojos del Salado?

The usual climbing window is November to March (austral summer). Outside it, expect snow, storms or closed access, and check the summit forecast before you go.

Climb Ojos del Salado with Yak

Plan your route on a topo map, check the summit forecast, then log your climb and see what is left on your list

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