Cerro Castillo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cerro Castillo |
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Cerro Castillo from the East, February 2002
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 2,675 m (8,776 ft) |
| Prominence | 2,088 m (6,850 ft) |
| Listing | Ultra |
| Geography | |
 Cerro Castillo
Location in Chile
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| Parent range | Andes |
| Topo map | IGM J 10 (Villa Cerro Castillo) 1:50,000 |
| Geology | |
| Mountain type | Igneous rock |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | ice/rock climb |
Cerro Castillo is a tall, jagged mountain peak in the Aysén del General Carlos Ibáñez del Campo Region of Chile. It is part of the Cerro Castillo National Park. The name Castillo means castle in Spanish. The mountain's steep, rocky walls really make it look like a grand castle. You can find small glaciers and lakes fed by melting ice on its sides.
Getting to Cerro Castillo
Cerro Castillo is about 75 kilometers (47 miles) south of the city of Coyhaique. You can reach it by driving along the Carretera Austral, a famous highway. There is a small village called Villa Cerro Castillo very close to the road.
You can reach the base of the mountain from the road in just one day. You follow the Estero Parada river. Another great option is a four-day hike. This hike starts at a place called Las Horquetas Grandes on the Carretera Austral. It takes you through forests and involves crossing two rivers without bridges. The trail also goes over a 1,400-meter (4,600-foot) mountain pass right next to Cerro Castillo's rock walls. This area is quite remote, so you won't see many other hikers.
Climbing the Mountain
Climbing Cerro Castillo is a big challenge because of its steep ice and rock faces. Many skilled climbers have tried to reach its summit.
The very first time someone successfully climbed Cerro Castillo was on February 10, 1966. A group of Chilean university students made this first ascent. They were Gastón Oyarzun, Osvaldo Latorre, Antonio Marcel, and Raúl Aguilera. They climbed the north (or northeast) side of the mountain.
Years later, on December 5, 1982, a team of climbers from different countries made another important climb. They completed the first ascent of the southeast face of Cerro Castillo. This route was very difficult, following a steep ice path.
In October 2008, two climbers, Carlos Buhler and Joan Sole, made the first ascent of a new route. They climbed the central east face of the mountain. They then came down using the north side route.
Images for kids
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View of Cerro Castillo from Route 7, looking Northwest
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The area around Cerro Castillo peak, looking North
See also
- List of Ultras of South America
In Spanish: Cerro Castillo (región de Aysén) para niños
