Pico Cristóbal Colón
Pico Cristóbal Colón is the highest mountain in Colombia, with an estimated height of 5,730 metres (18,800 ft). Pico Cristóbal Colón and Pico Simón Bolívar are the two highest peaks in Colombia and are very nearly equal in elevation.[2]. One or other of these peaks is therefore the fifth most prominent in the world (see list of peaks by prominence). The nearest peak that is higher is Cayambe, some 1,288 kilometres (800 mi) away. There is a permanent snowcap on this peak and on the nearby mountains. It is part of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta range, along with Pico Simón Bolívar. The peak is named after Christopher Columbus.
| Pico Cristóbal Colón | |
|---|---|
 Pico Cristóbal Colón in 2008 | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 5,730 m (18,800 ft) [1] |
| Prominence | 5,508 m (18,071 ft) Ranked 5th |
| Isolation | 1,287 km (800 mi)  |
| Listing | Country high point Ultra |
| Coordinates | 10°50′18″N 73°41′12″W |
| Geography | |
  Pico Cristóbal Colón Location in Colombia | |
| Location | Magdalena Department, Colombia |
| Parent range | Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | 1939 by Wood, Bakerwell and Praolini |
| Easiest route | basic snow/ice climb, Alpine PD |
Climbing history
Pico Cristóbal Colón was first climbed in 1939 by W. Wood, A. Bakerwell and E. Praolini.[3] Access to these mountains became very difficult after the early 1990s due to hostile tribes, drug traffickers and FARC guerillas. An expedition in 2015 was one of the first to climb in the range for many years, and reached the summit of Pico Colon on December 13.[4]
References
- The elevation given here is based on SRTM data. Colombian topographic maps show 5650m contours but no 5700m contours. A handheld GPS reading obtained in 2015 indicated a height of c.5730m may be correct. A figure of 5775m is frequently quoted.
- Andes site
- https://www.peakware.com/peaks.php?pk=57
- Bjorstad, Petter. "Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta Trip Report".