|
|
|
Snow-covered Pico del Teide in the winter
(photographer unknown) <click to enlarge>
|
|
Pico del Teide
12198 ft (3718 m)
Highest point in Spanish territory
.
|
Location: |
Tenerife in the Canary Islands, NW of Africa |
Lat / Long: | 28.3° N, 16.6° W |
Volcanic Type: | Stratovolcano |
Volcanic Status: | Active, last eruption 1909 |
First Ascent: | R. E. Scory, 1582 |
First Ski Descent: | |
Skiable Vertical: | over 4600 ft (1400 m) |
Lift Served Vertical: | 3900ft (1200 m), summer only |
|
|
|
Pico del Teide is a spectacular stratovolcano rising above the island of Tenerife, the largest of
the Canary Islands which lie just west of the coast of southern Morocco. All of the islands in the
group are volcanic, rising up from the seafloor of the Atlantic Ocean at a depth of about 10000 ft
(3000 m). Tenerife is one of the largest volcanoes in the world by volume, at roughly 4000 cubic miles
(15000 cu km) it trails only Hawaii's large shield volcanoes. It is topped by a 10 mile (16 km)
diameter caldera formed over 100,000 years ago, within which are the newer stratovolcanoes of Pico
Viejo (10282 ft / 3134 m) and Pico del Teide along with numerous small cinder cones and lava flows. Its
substantial height allows Pico del Teide to collect a moderate winter snowpack despite the relatively
arid climate in the area. Road access is excellent into the national park which surrounds the
mountain, and a cable car runs up to 11660 ft (3555 m) just below the summit from a parking area on the
southeast side, operating in summer only. A permit is required from the national park in order to
climb above the tramway station. The standard climbing route ascends a trail up the east side of the
peak, and this would also provide the best access for ski mountaineering.
|
|
|
|
Some useful links:
Teleferico del Teide
(cable car almost to summit)
Parque Nacional de las Cañadas del Teide (national park info)
Der Teide-Nationalpark
(national park photos and info in German)
Observatorio del Teide
(observatory with several telescopes at 8000 ft / 2400 m)
Pico del Teide Webcam
|
Topographic map of Pico del Teide (1:250,000 scale)
from Joint Operations Graphic NH 28-14
<click to enlarge>
|
More photos and info about routes, access, etc. may be added in the future ... |
|