Nevado del Tolima
Nevado del Tolima is a volcano shaped much like Mt. Fujiyama in Japan. Usual route is from the south, starting in juntas. Hiking starts at ~2,650 meters above sea level, so it is a pretty long hike to the top, requiring something like 9-12 hours in total. Halfway there is a cave where people can set up camp. Snowline starts at ~4,900-5,000 meters. Loose rocks are frequent above the snowline. View from the top is magnificent.
The height is usually published as 5215 mts but this may be inaccurate. Some maps published during WW2 "lowered" many Andes peaks for strategic purposes.
Little is known (in Colombia) of the first ascent (1928). The second (in 1942) was by a Colombian team which included the seismologist/vulcanologist Padre Jesus Emilio Ramirez (later Rector of the Universidad de los Andes in Bogota). He described the ascent as passing round many active fumerols and, upon arriving at the top, he was met with the vista of an almost flat (slightly sloping) rectangular area about the size of the Plaza de Bolivar in Bogota with no sign of a crater.
When I climbed it in 1966 I was on the lookout for the fumerols but saw none. Coming to the top of the glacier, I saw the high point and began to set off in that direction. To my amazement, I was starting to look down into an enormouse crater with steam rising from it. Somewhat fearful (being on my own at this stage), I retreated to the rim and, skirting the crater, shortly arrived at the high point (northeast corner if memory serves).
During a debriefing with Padre Ramirez I was told that areal photos taken in 1959 by the USAF showed the peak without the crater. Thus some significant activity must have taken place between 1959 and 1966. When I climbed it again in 1968 (with a companion this time) the crater was still there and a bit larger.
Back in the '60s, there was much more snow and ice on the mountain than in the photo you publish. Climate change or volcanic activity? Remember that close-by El Nevado del Ruiz errupted in the 1980s causing many deaths and much destruction in a valley below.
Elevation (feet): | 17,109 |
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Elevation (meters): | 5,215 |
Continent: | South America |
Country: | Colombia |
Range/Region: | Colombian Andes |
Latitude: | 4.67 |
Longitude: | -75.33 |
Difficulty: | Basic Snow/Ice Climb |
Best months for climbing: | Jan, Feb, Dec |
Volcanic status: | Dormant |
Year first climbed: | 1928 |
First successful climber(s): | A French team |
Nearest major airport: | Bogota/Ibague |
Convenient Center: | Ibague |
Thanks to Alberto Molano for adding this peak.
Download any of the following KML maps for use in the full screen Google Earth application: Colombian Andes, Andes, or South America. For more information, see our Google Earth page.
Maps
Weather
Trip Reports
NOTE: Trip reports were previously called "Summit Logs" - same feature, new name
There are 5 trip reports for Nevado del Tolima.
Select any entry from the list below:
- Log #13594 - by
Petr Lanik on Mar 20, 2003Summited with my friend Andres and his friend Fernando in 3 days. I love Nevado del Tolima.
- Log #13595 - by Scott Patterson on Mar 05, 2003Excellent Climb. We took four days in order to acclimatize. Measured elevation by GPS was 17,303; different from the maps listed elevations of 17,110 and 18,438. Jungle to glaciers, Yosemite Valley...
- Log #13596 - by Warwick White (Waz) on Jan 26, 2003Summitted with my Colombian friend - Ivan. Three days with a base camp (tent) at about 4000m A nice although easy climb. the summitt was in white out - and very flat (so it was difficult to...
- Log #13597 - by Caminantes del Retorno on Dec 10, 2002Hemos ascendido al Nevado del Tolima desde hace 10 aƱos al menos unas 10 veces. La ruta es sencilla hasta 4500 metros de altura, despues la pendiente dificulta y complica el ascenso. Caida de rocas...
- Log #13598 - by Jesus Lopez on Dec 06, 2000It's a very good climb. The glacier is not to long but is some step. The summit is some a little wide. If you like to see some pictures of this peak try my web page http://www.