Guallatiri, Chile, Stratovolcano in Putre, Chile.
Guallatiri is a stratovolcano in the Putre municipality of Chile's Arica y Parinacota Region, rising to 6,060–6,071 m. Its symmetric cone is topped by a lava dome or volcanic plug, with numerous fumaroles around the summit that release sulfur gases. Lower flanks are covered by thick lava flows and the lava domes Domo Tinto and Domo Sur.
The first documented ascent occurred in 1926 by German geologist Friedrich Ahlfeld, who initiated scientific study of this Andean peak. This early expedition laid the foundation for further volcanic investigations in the region.
The name comes from Aymara language and refers to Andean geese that live in the surrounding mountain areas. This connection to local wildlife appears in the names of many places throughout the region.
The summit is rated F on the French Climb grading by John Biggar, so the ascent is not technically hard, but toxic gases are a hazard in the summit region. The closest settlement is the small town of Guallatiri, 9.5 km southwest, which has a 17th-century church and a National Forest Corporation refuge. The provincial capital Putre lies 55 km north, and the ice cap above 5,500 m has shrunk and fragmented, exposing rock.
Snow and ice coverage above 5,500 meters has noticeably decreased over the past century. This change has visibly altered the mountain's appearance and exposed new rock areas for climbers.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 93,889 contributors worldwide.