The Ampato Volcano is a volcano and also a snow-capped volcano that is located within the district of Maca, in the province of Caylloma, department of Arequipa. That one is 80 kilometers from the city of Arequipa and has a height of almost 6,300 meters above sea level. The Ampato volcano is still an active volcano at the top of which temperatures below 0ºC have been detected.
The Ampato is an inactive volcano located in the homonymous mountain range, in the Department of Arequipa, in southern Peru. It has an altitude of 6288m and is the highest mountain in the department after Coropuna. It is part of a volcanic complex that includes two other volcanoes: the Sabancaya of 5976m and the Hualca Hualca of 6025m. In the Quechua language, ampato means toad; Name that refers to the silhouette of the volcano seen from a strategic point in the surroundings.
This volcano is one of the favorite spaces in Arequipa, especially for those who are interested in mountaineering; The first expedition that went to the volcano in order to conquer its summit, and that has a record, is the one that took place in 1966 and was led by Culbert.
Although the ascents to the top of the volcano are not considered within the range of difficult, for mountaineering, the truth is that, although the natural terrain of Ampato makes access easy, there are other factors that make the task difficult, such as the case of the inclement cold that is recorded in the area, as well as the strong winds, the constant snow that makes the path slippery, among other reasons, which make it necessary for the journey to the conquest of Ampato to be done in the company of guides specialized in mountaineering, since they know the most relevant routes and know what to do in possible risk situations.
The Ampato Volcano is an important mountain in the department of Arequipa, in addition, due to the archaeological discoveries that have been found in it, such is the case of the well-known "Lady of Ampato", popularly called "La Mummy Juanita", which were the remains Frozen images of a girl, possibly originally from Arequipa or the city of Cusco, who was left in place, as a ritual, during Inca rule.
About "Juanita" it is known that she must have been an important character, therefore, the remains found in the surrounding mountains or volcanoes, and that have similar or related characteristics, are considered companions of the young mummy. Juanita is considered what in Tahuantinsuyo is called a "Palla", a young woman, between 12 and 14 years old who was educated throughout her life in an Acllahuasi and whose ritual (sacrifice) was offered, possibly, to calm the anger of the volcanoes that were then most active. At present this mummy, considered the best preserved Inca mummy to date, is protected in the Andean Sanctuaries Museum of the Santa María Catholic University.
The Ampato, is in addition to a mountain and an Andean Sanctuary, named after the archaeological findings found in it, an Apu of the Sihuas valley, and therefore protector of the towns that surround it, which is why, still today, he continues to be respected.
In order to get to know the imposing Ampato Volcano, it is necessary to leave from the city of Arequipa to Chivay by bus or private car, this first tour lasts an average of three hours; Once in Chivay, continue to Maca for another half hour; from Maca you continue on foot for less than half an hour to the base of the volcano; It is recommended that visits to the Ampato Volcano be made between the months of April to November, visiting it allows tourists to practice activities such as ice climbing, rock climbing, and the possibility of setting up camps during the ascent, always under the recommendation to be accompanied by people specialized in this type of tours.
The most used route to reach its summit is Pampa Sallalli, which is not very complex because up to 6000m it is an ascent over land and rocks. After that level, you reach glacial terrain, requiring high mountain equipment. To access it, it is best to hire the services of a 4x4 vehicle from Arequipa to the slopes of the volcano, at 4800m. The route from the city has an extension of 165 kilometers and an approximate duration of 5 hours.
The first modern ascent was carried out in 1966, by the Canadian Richart Culbert. However, the mountain would become known for later important archaeological finds. Indeed, in September 1995 Johan Reinhard and Miguel Zárate found a frozen female corpse 150m below the main summit of the massif. This mummy was exposed by the melting of the glacial mass that covered it, due to the fumaroles of an irregular eruptive activity in which the Sabancaya volcano entered between 1985 and the end of 1990. This mummy is known as Juanita, the “lady of Ampato” or the “ice lady”. Subsequent expeditions led by archaeologists José Antonio Chávez and Johan Reinhard, discovered between October 1995 and December 1997, another three mummies around 5850m altitude.
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