Cerro El Muerto, Stratovolcano in Andes mountains, Chile.

Cerro El Muerto is a stratovolcano in the central Andes, close to the Chile-Argentina border. It sits among a chain of high peaks in one of the most remote and arid stretches of the mountain range.

The first recorded ascent took place in 1950, by a team of mountaineers made up of J. Beñastino, L. Alvarado, V. Álvarez and O. Álvarez. The peak is a stratovolcano built from viscous lava flows that solidified over its craters into mounds known as lava domes. It forms part of a long volcanic chain that also includes San Francisco, Fraile, Incahuasi, Ojos del Salado, Cerro Solo and Tres Cruces.

Cerro El Muerto means "The Dead One" in Spanish, a name shared with the Volcán El Muerto on the same massif. The peak is a stratovolcano built from viscous lava that solidified over its craters into mounds called lava domes. Few mountaineers visit it, since most head for nearby Ojos del Salado, the world's highest volcano.

The area sits at extreme elevation and demands careful preparation, proper gear, and good physical condition before any attempt. Weather changes quickly at this altitude, so checking conditions in advance is strongly advised.

The name translates as 'The Dead One', following an old regional habit of giving peaks names tied to their appearance or character. Its nearest major neighbor is Ojos del Salado, the highest volcano on Earth.