Pichincha (volcano)
| Pichincha | |
|---|---|
Ruku Pichincha as seen from the trail from Quito to the top | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 4,784 m (15,696 ft) |
| Prominence | 1,652 m (5,420 ft) |
| Listing | Ultra |
| Coordinates | 0°10′16″S 78°35′53″W / 0.171°S 78.598°W |
| Geography | |
| Parent range | Andes |
| Geology | |
| Rock age | Quaternary |
| Mountain type | Stratovolcano |
| Volcanic arc/belt | North Volcanic Zone |
| Last eruption | October to December 2002 |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | 1582 by José Ortiguera and others (first recorded ascent of Guagua Pichincha). |
Pichincha is a stratovolcano in Ecuador. The capital Quito wraps around its eastern slopes.
The two highest peaks of the mountain are Wawa Pichincha (Kichwa wawa child, baby / small, Spanish spelling Guagua Pichincha) (4,784 metres (15,696 ft)) and Ruku Pichincha (Kichwa ruku old person, Spanish Rucu Pichincha) (4,698 metres (15,413 ft)). The active caldera is in Wawa Pichincha on the western side of the mountain.