El Altar

El Altar

Infobox Mountain
Name = El Altar
Photo = Volcán el Altar 02.jpg
Caption =
Elevation = Convert|5319|m|ft|0|abbr=on
Location = Ecuador
Range = Andes
Prominence =
Coordinates = coord|1|40|S|78|25|W|type:mountain
Topographic

Type=Stratovolcano (extinct)
Age= Pliocene-Pleistocene
Last eruption= Unknown
First ascent = 1963
Easiest route = rock/ice climb

El Altar is an extinct volcano on the western side of Sangay National Park in Ecuador, 170 km south of Quito. Spaniards named it as such as it resembled a huge cathedral to them. The Inca called it Capac-Urcu, which means "King Mountain" in Quechua.

Geology

The mountain consists of a large stratovolcano of Pliocene-Pleistocene age with a caldera breached to the west. Inca legends report that the top of Altar collapsed after seven years of activity in about 1460, but the caldera is considered to be much older than this by geologists. Nine major peaks over Convert|5000|m|ft|-2 form a horseshoe-shaped ridge about Convert|3|km|mi|1 across, surrounding a central basin that contains a crater lake at about Convert|4200|m|ft|-2|abbr=on|abbr=on, known as Laguna Collanes or Laguna Amarilla.

Access and recreation

El Altar is perhaps the most technically demanding climb in Ecuador. December through February are the best months to attempt an ascent. Much more accessible is the hike to the lake within the caldera of the mountain. From Riobamba, one takes a bus for about an hour and then checks in at the ranger station, where nationals pay $2 and foreigners $10 to enter the Sangay park. About 4-5 hours of an extremely muddy trail (knee-high rubber boots are recommended) leaves one at the official refuge, which is sometimes inexplicably locked, although entry can sometimes be found through an open window. The refuge has many beds, a kitchen, and even hot water. To hike to the lake is another 2 hours from the refuge across a valley and up a steep hill.

List of peaks

The nine peaks of El Altar, starting with the highest summit on the south side and proceeding counterclockwise:

ee also

*List of volcanoes in Ecuador

References

*
* (in Spanish)
*
* [http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/vol_extra.cfm?name=Altar Global Volcanism Program: Altar]

External links

* [http://www.ecuaworld.com/trekking/altar.htm Altar: Etymology]


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно сделать НИР?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • ALTAR — (Heb. מִזְבֵּח, mizbe aḥ, derived from the root zbḥ (זבח), meaning to slaughter (as a sacrifice) ), originally the place where sacrificial slaughter was performed (e.g., the sacrifice of Isaac in Gen. 22). According to biblical law however,… …   Encyclopedia of Judaism

  • Altar cloth — Altar covered with white altar cloths. An (altar cloth) is used by various religious groups to cover an altar. Christianity, ancient Judaism, and Buddhism are among the world religions that use altar cloths. Because many altars are made of wood… …   Wikipedia

  • Altar (in Liturgy) — • In the New Law the altar is the table on which the Eucharistic Sacrifice is offered Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006. Altar (in Liturgy)     Altar (in Liturgy) …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Altar Cloths — • The custom of using three altar cloths began probably in the ninth century, but at present it is of strict obligation for the licit celebration of Mass Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006. Altar Cloths     Altar Cloths …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Altar — Saltar a navegación, búsqueda Este artículo trata sobre el espacio o estructura consagrados al culto religioso. Para otros usos de este término, véase Altar (desambiguación). Un altar (del latín altare, de altus «elevación») es un espacio o… …   Wikipedia Español

  • Altar de muertos — Altar de muertos. El Altar de Muertos es un elemento fundamental en el conjunto de tradiciones Mexicanas del Día de Muertos, que consiste en instalar Altares domésticos en honor de los muertos de la familia. Contenido …   Wikipedia Español

  • Altar Candlesticks — • Consists of five parts: the foot, the stem, the knob about the middle of the stem, the bowl to receive the drippings of wax, and the pricket, i.e. the sharp point that terminates the stem on which the candle is fixed Catholic Encyclopedia.… …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Altar Crucifix — • The principal ornament of the altar Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006. Altar Crucifix     Altar Crucifix     † …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Altar — Al tar, n. [OE. alter, auter, autier, fr. L. altare, pl. altaria, altar, prob. fr. altus high: cf. OF. alter, autier, F. autel. Cf. {Altitude}.] 1. A raised structure (as a square or oblong erection of stone or wood) on which sacrifices are… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Altar cloth — Altar Al tar, n. [OE. alter, auter, autier, fr. L. altare, pl. altaria, altar, prob. fr. altus high: cf. OF. alter, autier, F. autel. Cf. {Altitude}.] 1. A raised structure (as a square or oblong erection of stone or wood) on which sacrifices are …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Altar cushion — Altar Al tar, n. [OE. alter, auter, autier, fr. L. altare, pl. altaria, altar, prob. fr. altus high: cf. OF. alter, autier, F. autel. Cf. {Altitude}.] 1. A raised structure (as a square or oblong erection of stone or wood) on which sacrifices are …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”