Cayambe (volcano)

For other uses of Cayambe, see Cayambe (disambiguation page)
Cayambe
Elevation 5,790 m (18,996 ft)
Prominence 2,075 m (6,808 ft)
Listing Ultra
Location
Cayambe
Location in northern Ecuador
Location Pichincha,  Ecuador
Range Andes
Geology
Type Compound volcano
Volcanic arc/belt North Volcanic Zone
Last eruption 1786
Climbing
First ascent 1880 by Edward Whymper
Easiest route rock/snow climb

Cayambe (or Volcán Cayambe) is the name of a volcano located in the Cordillera Oriental, a branch of the Ecuadorian Andes. It is located in Pichincha province some 70 km (43 mi) northeast of Quito. It is the third highest mountain in Ecuador.

Cayambe, which has a permanent snow cap, is a Holocene compound volcano which has not erupted in historical times. At 4,690 m (15,387 ft) on its south slope is the highest point in the world crossed by the Equator and the only point on the Equator with snow cover. The volcano is in the Cayambe Coca Ecological Reserve.

The town of Cayambe takes its name from the volcano.

Cayambe was first scaled by British climber Edward Whymper and his two Italian guides and companions Juan Antonio and Luis Carrel in 1880, and is a favourite of mountain climbers today.

See also

External links and references