San Francisco Pass, Mountain pass at Chile-Argentina border
San Francisco Pass is a mountain crossing through the Andes at the border between Chile and Argentina. It sits at about 4,748 meters (15,577 feet) elevation and connects the Atacama region on one side to Catamarca province on the other.
Indigenous groups used this pass for trade routes centuries ago, linking communities across the Andes. The route became an important connection for exchange between settlements on both sides of the mountain range.
The pass remains a testament to human adaptation, where travelers experience dramatic temperature changes and witness the capabilities of high-altitude survival techniques.
The route demands preparation for extreme altitude and rapidly changing conditions, making sturdy gear and current weather updates essential. Visitors should expect long travel times and not underestimate the physical demands of operating at this elevation.
The surrounding landscape contains several volcanoes, including the nearby Ojos del Salado, Earth's highest volcano at about 6,879 meters (22,572 feet). This geological feature makes the region an exceptional area for those interested in mountain formation.
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