Cayambe (volcano)

For other uses of Cayambe, see Cayambe.

Cayambe
File:Volcan Cayambe.JPG Cayambe in August 2009
Highest point
Elevation
Prominence
Listing	Ultra
Coordinates
Geography
Location	Pichincha, Ecuador
Parent range	Andes
Geology
Mountain type	Compound volcano
Volcanic arc/belt	North Volcanic Zone
Last eruption	1785 to 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 Central, a range 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 last erupted in March 1786. At 4,690 metres (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 and most of its slopes are within the Cayambe Coca Ecological Reserve.

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

File:Cayambe-volcano 003.JPG Cayambe Volcano

Major volcanoes in Ecuador Sangay Tungurahua Quilotoa Cotopaxi Illiniza Antisana Pichincha Reventador Cayambe Chimborazo Major volcanoes in Ecuador

See also

• Lists of volcanoes
  • List of volcanoes in Ecuador

External links and references

• Cayambe, Instituto Geofísico de la Escuela Politécnica Nacional
• Cayambe: Etymology
• Photographs of the Andes
• Climbing Trip Report