Volcano llullaillaco
   Photo: Volcano llullaillaco

Volcano llullaillaco - stratovolcano height of 6739 m is located on the border of Argentina and Chile. Despite the fact that this is the third highest mountain in Chile, it is rarely visited because of the difficult access and the existence of minefields around. On the Chilean side of the volcano Llullaillaco National Park is located.

Llullaillaco considered an active volcano, the last eruption recorded in 1854, 1866 and 1877. In addition, it is the second highest active volcano in the world, second only to the volcano Ojos del Salado.

There are two plausible versions explaining the origin of the name of the volcano llullaillaco. In accordance with the first and most well-known assumption: llullu Quechua means "water, which can not be found, despite a long search." Another version is that Aymara llullu means "soft substance that subsequently solidifies," i.e. lava flows, like dirty water, and then hardens.

The surroundings are very beautiful volcano llullaillaco. Climbing to the top of the volcano, you can find the guanaco, donkeys and various birds.

There are two ways to climb the volcano. The northern route reaches 4600 m, it can be overcome by car, the southern route - the length of 5000 m. Both these routes have areas with hard snow, so it is recommended to be sure to have a spec. shoes and an ice ax.

The first ascent, which made the climbers, held December 1, 1952. Juan Gonzalez and Chilean Bion Harseim discovered Incan sanctuary on the top of the volcano. During the expedition led by Johan Reinhard and the Argentine archeologist Constanza Tseruti in 1999 it was discovered the mummies fifteen women, boys and girls five to seven years, which were probably sacrificed more than 500 years ago. Of the eight mummies found so far on the peaks of the Andes, these are the best condition.

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