The highest peaks of Venezuela (Merida State)
Hello friends!
On this occasion I present the highest peaks of the state of Merida and Venezuela. They are located in the Mountain range Andes of Merideña, in the mountains:
Sierra Nevada of Merida.
Sierra de la Culata.
Sierra de Santo Domingo.
All these peaks are of tectonic origin, they are the product of the lifting of the crust by the plate collision (Convergence)
The highest exceed 4,000 masl, the national surface (Venezuela) that exceeds this altitude is about 500 km2, and is distributed in these 3 mountains (72% the Butt, 22% the Nevada and 6% in Santo Domingo ). All these areas belong to national parks.
It is important to note that a peak is defined in the cartography as:
Any summit that protrudes at least 100 meters high on either side of the ridge line on which it is located (Silva, G. 2001)
According to the definition given, we can find approximately 70 peaks in Mérida that surpass 4,300 meters above sea level. The 10 highest are:
| Peaks | Location | Altitude |
| Bolívar | Sierra Nevada | 4.978 msnm |
| Humboldt | Sierra Nevada | 4.942 msnm |
| La Concha | Sierra Nevada | 4.922 msnm |
| Bonpland | Sierra Nevada | 4.883 msnm |
| Piedras Blancas | Sierra La Culata | 4.748 msnm |
| El León | Sierra Nevada | 4.740 msnm |
| El Toro | Sierra Nevada | 4.727 msnm |
| Los Nevados | Sierra La Culata | 4.700 msnm |
| Pan de Azucar | Sierra La Culata | 4.643 msnm |
| Mucuñuque | Sierra Santo Domingo | 4.608 msnm |
Among the highest and most prominent peaks of each Sierra we have:
Sierra Nevada de Mérida
1. Peak Bolívar(4.978 msnm)
It is the highest peak in the country with 4978 masl, it has approximately 0.7 km2 at more than 4800 masl. Its glaciers have decreased rapidly over the years as a result of global warming. Its main access is through the last cable car station (Pico Espejo Station).
2. Peak Humboldt (4.942 msnm)
It has two glaciers, the Coromoto glacier and the Sievers glacier, more extensive than those of Pico Bolívar thanks to its terrain. Its main access is from Laguna la Verde.
3. Peak La Concha (4.922 msnm):
It is linked to Pico Bolívar through a crest greater than 4,700 meters above sea level. It has seasonal snow, which they attribute to the Coromoto, Mucunutan and Nuestra Señora rivers. Its main access is from the Pico Espejo del Teleferico station. It is also known as the La Garza peak, recognized for its glacier, the glacier "la garza", already extinct decades ago.
)Sierra de la Culata
1. Peak Piedras Blancas (4.748 msnm):
It is the highest in the Sierra del Norte, it constitutes a rock mass, where snow can last several days. It belongs to the Torondoy river basin. Its name does not describe it perfectly, since it is a rocky mass of grayish color instead of white. From here you can see the lake of Maracaibo, if the visibility influenced by the weather obviously leaves.
2. Peak Los Nevados (4.700 msnm):
Separated from Piedras Blancas by the valley of the Piedras Blancas stream. It has more weathered slopes than the Piedras Blancas and we can access it through the Mifafi high from Apartaderos a few kilometers from the famous El Aguila Peak. Change is known as the Los Caracoles peak.
3. Peak Pan de Azúcar (4.643 msnm):
It is the most famous peak of the northern mountain range, the most climbed and striking for its weathered slopes, it can be seen from the lake of Maracaibo in the distance. It is accessed through the Mifafi Valley or from the butt, in a long excursion. It is one of the most climbed due to its rapid accessibility and promotion. Although its descent can be a bit dangerous, by erosion on its slopes.
Sierra Santo Domingo
Peak Mucuñuque (4.608 msnm)
Also known as the Santo Domingo Peak, it is the highest in this Sierra. It is close to the Mucubaji lagoon.
Sources:
Silva, G (2001) Los picos mas altos del estado Mérida.
Vivas, L (2012) Geotemas
I LOVE mountains!!
Me too :)
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Espero visitar pronto alguno de estos picos! Excelente post, muy informativo. ¿Has visitado alguno?