The Volcanic Seven Summits

Many climbers like to summit volcanoes due to their prominence since they are often a lone mountain and not attached to a range; they also look more stunning with their cones giving them more picturesque appearance. Some volcanoes also have fascinating craters making the ascent even more exciting.

The volcanic seven summits include two potentially active, three dormant and two extinct volcanoes.

Ojos del Salado, South America

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Nevajo Ojos del Salado is a massive stratovolcano rising in the Andes on the border of Argentina and Chile. At 6,891 meters (22,608 ft) high, it is known as the world’s highest volcano, the second highest mountain in the Western Hemisphere and the highest mountain in Chile. The volcano is situated about 600 km (370 mi) north of Aconcagua, the highest mountain in the Western Hemisphere.

Ojos del Salado is near the Atacama desert, thus, the mountain has very dry conditions with snow only remaining on the peak during winter.  A permanent crater lake measuring 100 m (300 ft) in diameter can also be found on the eastern side of the volcano. With an elevation of 6,390 m (20,960 ft), the lake is believed to be the highest in the world.

The name Ojos del Salado means “eyes of the salty mountain,” a name which came from the huge salt deposits that, in the form of lagoons or “eyes,” appear in its glaciers.

Kilimanjaro, Africa

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The highest peak in Africa is a volcano. With its three cones namely, Kibo, Mawenzi and Shira, Kilimanjaro is also known as the largest stratovolcano on earth.  The inactive volcano situated in north-eastern Tanzania is 4,600 m (15,092 ft) high from its base, and approximately 5,100 m (16,732 ft) from the plains near Moshi.

It is not known how Kilimanajaro got its name but it is believed to be a combination of the Swahili word Kilima, meaning “mountain,” and the KiChagga word Njaro meaning “whiteness,” giving its other name White Mountain.

Elbrus, Europe