Talk:Monte San Valentin

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[edit] Elevation

(copied from main article, based on information posted to from User_Talk:Jespinos)

There is some confusion about the elevation. It was originally estimated at 3,876m by Nordenskjold in 1921 but later thought to be 4,058m. The latter is the most commonly quoted elevation and is quoted here. A French group that climbed the San Valentin in 1993 included two surveyors, who calculated an elevation of 4,080±20 m by using a GPS. A Chilean group measured 4,070±40 m, also using GPS. SRTM data also supports an elevation in excess of 4,000 metres, but Chilean IGM mapping, which is usually accurate and reliable, gives only 3,910 metres.

I am not completely convinced that the elevation is over 4,000 metres. As stated in the first of the above links, stereoscopic observation of uniformly white terrain is impossible, so the GPS readings are probably more accurate. But Chilean maps are usually void on such terrain; on the San Valentin summit, there is detail shown. Also, I am not sure about the reliability of 1993 GPS readings, or if the author of the link got the information right. The Chilean article seems to be undated and mentions barometric readings, which are unreliable; it is not clear to me if this was supported by a direct satellite reading on the summit. Verification from a modern GPS reading would be good. Viewfinder 10:50, 27 August 2006 (UTC)

The Chilean Expedition was in July/August of 2001. The calculations was made using two Garmin Etrex Summit GPSs with barometric altimeter features. Jespinos 18:18, 27 August 2006 (UTC)