Rahul Sharma (Editor)

Pico Piedras Blancas

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit
First ascent
  
Unknown, however

Elevation
  
4,737 m

Easiest route
  
Walk, easy climb PD

Pico Piedras Blancas httpsuploadwikimediaorgwikipediacommonsthu

Location
  
Mérida, Mérida, Venezuela

Mountain range
  
Sierra de la Culata, Andes

Parent ranges
  
Sierra de la Culata, Andes

Similar
  
Pico Los Nevados, Pico Pan de Azúcar, Pico La Concha, Pico Mucuñuque, Pico El Buitre

Pico piedras blancas merida venezuela


The Pico Piedras Blancas (also known as Misamán), at 4,737 metres (15,541 ft), is the highest mountain of the Sierra de la Culata range in the Mérida State, and the fifth highest mountain in Venezuela. Its name, meaning "White Stones", is of uncertain origin, since the massif is predominantly grey in color (however, see ). Pico Piedras Blancas lacks glaciers. However, seasonal snowfalls may briefly cover its flanks. From its summit and under clear conditions, Lake Maracaibo can be seen. One of the accesses to reach the base of the mountain, is through the Mifafí Condor Reserve, which hosts some specimens of this andean bird.

Contents

Map of Pico Piedras Blancas, Zulia, Venezuela

Location

Pico Piedras Blancas is located 35 km (22 mi) to the northeast of Mérida, the state capital. Pico Piedras Blancas is very close to Pico Mucumamó, Pico Los Nevados and Pico El Buitre; all of them surround a high altitude valley in the heart of the Sierra de la Culata at approximately 4200 meters above sea level, known on topographic maps as Hoyo Negro ("Black Hole").

Elevation

A former measure of 4762 metres, given by Jahn in 1910, was corrected to 4737 metres in 1951. The latter measure was confirmed by a 2002 GPS survey.

Climbing

Though being the highest mountain of the Sierra de la Culata, it is not as frequently climbed as Pico Pan de Azucar in the same range of La Culata or the highest peaks of the Sierra Nevada de Mérida range.

  • Piedras Blancas can be best climbed during the dry season, from October to March.
  • The principal accesses are two: through the Mifafí Condor Reserve, near Casa de Gobierno in the Trasandina road, and through the town of La Toma, nearby Mucuchíes, also in the Trasandina road.
  • The normal route is through the eastern side of the massif.
  • References

    Pico Piedras Blancas Wikipedia