The 6000m peaks of the Andes in order of height

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This is the list of the 99 six thousand metre peaks in the Andes as published in 'The Andes - A Guide for Climbers' 2nd Edition, by John Biggar (ISBN 0-9536087-0-0). Some revisions have been made to the list since the list was printed in this book.

There are links to further information and pictures of many of the peaks.

This list © 1999 - 2001 John Biggar.

All heights are in metres.

The criterion used to select this list is a re-ascent height of 400m from any higher peak. This figure was chosen for several reasons: any larger re-ascent eliminates some of the most notable summits such as Tocllaraju, Jirishanca and Illampu. Any lesser re-ascent criterion includes many minor summits such as the N and E peaks of Coropuna. The total number of 6000m peaks is now exactly 99 following a couple of 'discoveries' on previously unavailable Argentine maps and several deletions. 17 of these 6000m peaks are in the Cordillera Blanca of Peru and 37 are in the Puna de Atacama. Almost all heights are taken from national IGM surveys, the only exceptions being a few peaks in Central Argentina and SE Peru where accurate IGM surveys are not available.

In many areas of South America, particularly in parts of Argentina, the heights of many peaks are subject to debate. Some peaks having quoted heights that differ by 300m or more. The heights given here are thought to be the most widely accepted figures, many are taken from the most recent Argentine surveys.

The peaks are arranged in groups of ten. The grades given are for the easiest ascent route. An asterisk by the date of first ascent denotes a peak known to have had a Pre-Columbian ascent, or on which ruins have been found high up. The date of the first modern ascent is also given. Dates in brackets indicate a disputed first ascent.

The 6000m peaks of the Andes

Peaks with a link have an information page or at least a photograph on this website but you may need to use your browsers back button to return to this page.

This list © 1999, 2001 John Biggar.
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The peak of Cienaga in the Argentine Puna near Salta has been omitted because it is not known whether it has sufficient re-ascent height to class as an independent peak. It may also only be 5919m. Los Gemelos 6196m has also been omitted for this reason. The 250,000 map indicates it has sufficient re-ascent, the 100,000 map shows it does not.

The following peaks, all sometimes quoted higher than 6000m have been omitted from the list because there is considerable doubt as to whether they are over 6000m. Artesonraju 5999m, Chachacomani 5998m, Pumasillo 5991m, Lasunayoc 5960m, Contrahierbas 5954m, Juncal 5950m+, Laguna Blanca 5946m, Nuevo Mundo 5929m, Galan 5912m, Pilar de los Pailas 5900m, Chañi 5896m, Ameghino 5883m, Plata c.5800m, Mirador c.5800m, Acay 5716m.

Sabancaya 5976m may now be higher than 6000m as it has been erupting ash for several years.

Sources for heights used in this list and this website 

In areas of South America the heights of some peaks are still subject to debate. Some Argentine peaks have quoted heights that are 300m higher than the Chilean heights though new surveys are correcting this. The main areas for which no accurate surveys exist are the Cord. Vilcabamba of Peru, the Mercedario-Tupungato area of Argentina and the Patagonian ice-cap area. The heights given in this list and throughout 'The Andes- A Guide For Climbers' are thought to be generally the most accurate figures taken from the following sources. In all areas of the Andes Neate's book was used when no survey height was available.

Venezuela and Colombia - Neate, confirmed where possible in Colombia by CIGM 1:100,000

Ecuador - IGM 1:50,000 newest sheet available.

Peru IGM 1:100,000 sheets. The DAV 1930's surveys of the Cord. Blanca have been used where the PIGM sheets do not give a height (Notethe DAV heights are mostly 20-30m higher)

Bolivia - Alpenvereinskarte for Illimani and Ancohuma areas, otherwise BIGM 1:50,000 sheets or 1:250,000 sheets.

Argentina - Argentine IGM 1:250,000 sheets

Chile and Chile/Bolivia and Chile/Argentina border peaks - Chilean IGM 1:50,000 or 1:250,000 sheets, which are generally much more modern than Argentine surveys in this area. But read the exception below for Pissis and Ojos del Salado.

Patagonia - ChIGM 1:250,000 sheets where possible, Andes Patagonicos sheets for peaks on the icecaps, Fitzroy area and Cord. Darwin. Kearneys guidebook for heights in the Paine massif.

Perhaps the biggest debate is whether Ojos del Salado or Pissis is the 2nd highest summit in the Andes. Pissis has been nominated here because it is listed higher on the only accurate topographical map on which they both appear (AIGM sheet 2769 IV at 1:250,000).

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