Cão Grande Peak, Volcanic peak in Caué District, São Tomé and Príncipe
The needle-shaped summit rises 663 meters (2,175 feet) above sea level, protruding from the tropical rainforest of São Tomé Island. The narrow phonolite formation features vertical walls and a rounded apex, standing isolated from surrounding terrain.
The volcanic formation emerged during the Pliocene epoch 3.5 million years ago when magma solidified within an active vent, creating this tower. The Japanese expedition of Takahashi, Moriyama, and Agata achieved the first summit in February 1991.
Communities in Vila Clotilde and São João dos Angolares regard this formation as part of their natural surroundings, incorporating it into local narratives and daily reference points, with the tower serving as a navigation landmark within the dense rainforest environment.
Access to the base requires a several-hour trek through dense rainforest, with local guides from nearby communities facilitating navigation. The dry season between June and September offers better conditions for hiking, though terrain remains challenging year-round.
Climbers tackle fifteen pitches along the Nubivagant route with technical sections rated F8b across moss-covered volcanic surfaces. The exposed position attracts frequent cloud formations that temporarily shroud the tower entirely, affecting visibility from distant viewpoints.
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