Pico Cristóbal Colón

Pico Cristóbal Colón and Pico Simón Bolívar are the two highest peaks in Colombia and almost equal in elevation. One of the two mountains is therefore the fifth most prominent in the world (see list of peaks by prominence). The nearest peak that is higher is Cayambe, some 1,288 kilometres (800 mi) away. There is a permanent snowcap on this peak and on the nearby mountains. It is part of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta range, along with Pico Simón Bolívar, and was named after Christopher Columbus. This mountain is the highest point in South America outside the Andes.

Pico Cristóbal Colón
Pico Cristóbal Colón in 2008
Highest point
Elevation	5,730 m (18,800 ft)
Prominence	5,509 m (18,074 ft) Ranked 5th
Isolation	1,287 km (800 mi)
Listing	Country high point Ultra
Coordinates	10°50′18″N 73°41′12″W / 10.83833°N 73.68667°W / 10.83833; -73.68667
Naming
Native name	Gonawindua (Cogui)
Geography
Pico Cristóbal Colón Location in Colombia
Location	Magdalena Department, Colombia
Parent range	Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
Climbing
First ascent	1939 by Wood, Bakerwell and Praolini
Easiest route	basic snow/ice climb, Alpine PD

Colón was first climbed in 1939 by Walter Wood, Anderson Bakerwell and E. Praolini.

Access to these mountains became very difficult after the early 1990s due to hostile locals, drug traffickers, and FARC guerillas. An expedition in 2015 led by John Biggar was one of the first to climb in the range for many years, and reached the summit of Pico Colón on 13 December.

 

• List of mountains by elevation
• List of Ultras of South America