IISc professor becomes second Indian woman to summit Nevado Ojos del Salado

Arpita Patra, a professor at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), has successfully summited Nevado Ojos del Salado, the highest volcanic peak in the world and the highest mountain in Chile.

By reaching the 6,893-metre summit on March 6, she became the second Indian woman to achieve this feat. The mountain is located in the Atacama Desert within the Andes Mountains, on the border between Chile and Argentina, near Argentina’s Catamarca Province.

Previous Mountaineering Achievements

Before conquering Ojos del Salado, Patra had already climbed the highest volcanic peaks of four continents:

• Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895 m) – Africa
• Mount Elbrus (5,642 m) – Europe
• Mount Giluwe (4,367 m) – Oceania
• Pico de Orizaba (5,636 m) – North America

About Nevado Ojos del Salado

• Elevation: 6,893 metres
• Distinction: Highest volcano on Earth and highest peak in Chile
• Type: Stratovolcano, formed from accumulated lava flows and explosive volcanic material
• Located on the Atacama Plateau, a high-altitude region covering around 80,000 sq km

Sources: TH