Paine Horns

Paine Horns

Introduction

The South American Andes are a volcanic chain composed of granite, overlain with a layer of slate. In some places, large underground masses of granite have been uplifted by tectonic movements, breaking through the earth's surface to form pillar-like structures. Subsequent glacial erosion has rounded the tops of these pillars while leaving their sides steep, some almost vertical.

The Paine Horns in southern Chile were formed in this way. They are two gray granite peaks with a pinkish hue, topped with black slate, rising majestically above undulating grasslands, marshes covered with red, yellow, and green moss carpets, and calm, clear lakes.

Each peak is only about 2,545 meters high, but amazingly they stand like skyscrapers above the surrounding land.

The weather in the Paine Mountains is often harsh. As a result, climbers consider only a few days each season suitable for climbing. In 1974, a South African climbing team spent six weeks ascending the east face of the steep central peak of Paine Horn, which is 1,220 meters high. This was the highest rock face climbed at the time.

The Paine Horns are located in southern Chile and are part of the South American Andes mountain range. They are two gray granite peaks with a pinkish hue, each about 2,545 meters high, topped with black slate, rising majestically above undulating grasslands, marshes covered with red, yellow, and green moss carpets, and calm, clear lakes. These are volcanic chains composed of granite, overlain with a layer of slate. In some places, large underground masses of granite have been uplifted by tectonic movements, breaking through the earth's surface to form pillar-like structures. Subsequent glacial erosion has rounded the tops of these pillars while leaving their sides steep, some almost vertical. The weather in the Paine Mountains is often harsh, and climbers consider only a few days each season suitable for climbing.

Santiago, Chile