Mt Ojos del Salado: Satyarup Siddhanta becomes second Indian to climb world's highest volcano

Satyarup Siddhanta has become second Indian mountaineer after Malli Mastan Babu to climb Mt Ojos del Salado (6893 m), the highest volcano in the world on Argentina-Chile border. He is certified mountaineer from Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Darjeeling. He has skied last degree to South Pole by covering distance of 111 km. In December 2017 he summited Vinson Massif, becoming only fifth Indian civilian to complete the seven summits (Messner’s List).

Mt Ojos del Salado

Mt Ojos del Salado is a stratovolcano (volcano built up of alternate layers of lava and ash) in Andes Mountain range on Argentina–Chile border. It is the highest active volcano in the world, situated at altitude of 6,893 m. It is also the second highest mountain in tWestern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere and highest in Chile. Its name means “Eyes of the Salty One” in Spanish and comes from enormous deposits of salt that in the form of lagoons or “eyes”, appear in its glaciers. Due to its location near tAtacama Desert, it has very dry conditions with snow usually only remaining on peak during winter. Despite the generally dry conditions, there is permanent crater lake about 100 m in diameter at elevation of 6,390 m on eastern side of mountain. It is highest lake of any kind in the world.

Month: Current Affairs - July, 2018