Is Chimborazo “True” Highest Mountain? Ecuador Says Yes
The world’s highest mountain, Mount Everest, has long held the crown. But Ecuador is making a bold claim for the title, pointing to its own majestic peak, Chimborazo, as the true champion, CNN reports.
While Everest reigns supreme when measured from sea level at a towering 29,032 feet, Chimborazo, an inactive stratovolcano in the Andes, boasts a unique distinction: it’s the furthest point on Earth from its center.
At 20,548 feet above sea level, Chimborazo may seem dwarfed by Everest. However, its location just 1.5 degrees south of the equator makes all the difference.
Derek van Westrum, a physicist with the NOAA’s National Geodetic Survey, explains that the Earth’s rotation creates a bulge at the equator. This means that Chimborazo’s peak, located near the equator, is actually 6,800 feet farther from the Earth’s center than Everest, even though Everest is taller when measured from sea level.
“If you imagine the Earth as a blue dot in space,” he adds, “Chimborazo is the furthest you can be from the center of that dot.”
This unique geographical quirk has propelled Chimborazo into the spotlight, with Ecuador actively promoting it as a premier travel destination. Unlike the daunting and expensive journey to Everest, Chimborazo offers a more accessible adventure, just a four-hour drive south from Quito.
The mountain boasts a year-round climbing season, drawing approximately 500 mountaineers each year. While the success rate hovers just above 50% due to the challenges of altitude and weather, Chimborazo’s allure extends beyond its climbing potential.
The mountain is a haven for unique wildlife, including rewilded vicuñas and the world’s largest hummingbirds. It also holds a deep cultural significance, having been a sacred site for the Inca, where ritualistic sacrifices were performed.
