Mérida cable car, Cable car system in Libertador, Venezuela.
The Mérida cable car is a transport system in Libertador, Venezuela, that climbs through four stages linking different elevations across the mountain range. The route runs from the city level up to a viewpoint near the summit of Pico Espejo.
A project by the Venezuelan Andean Club in 1952 led to the planning of this installation, and its construction required collaboration from companies across several countries. After years of work, the line opened to visitors in 1960.
The system takes its name from the Andean city below, a starting point for hikers and climbers heading into the Sierra Nevada mountains. Travelers who board notice how quickly the landscape shifts from warm valleys to cold peaks.
Warm clothing is essential because temperatures can drop sharply on the upper sections, and snow is possible even outside winter months. Visitors who experience altitude sickness should consult a doctor beforehand and ascend slowly.
This installation reaches a final elevation of 4765 meters above sea level, making it the highest cable car in the world. The vertical difference between the lower and upper stations exceeds 3000 meters.
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