Nevado San Francisco

Nevado San Francisco is a high Andean stratovolcano on the border between Chile and Argentina with an elevation of about 6,018 metres. It is part of the Central Volcanic Zone of the Andes and one of several 6,000-metre peaks in the region.

Alpinists and high-altitude trekkers visit for the summit and panoramic views across the high Puna; routes involve long approaches over gravel roads and high-altitude scree and snow. Expect severe weather, thin air, and simple mountaineering terrain rather than technical rock climbing.

The volcano formed as part of Andean arc volcanism during the Neogene and Quaternary periods; its present cone is the product of successive eruptions and glacial sculpting. There are no well-documented historical eruptions recorded in modern historical sources.

The peak sits in the high, arid Andes along the Argentina-Chile frontier, in a sparsely populated zone of high plateaus and volcanic cones. Nearest larger towns are across the border in northern Argentina and northern Chile; road access is remote and seasonal.

• High-altitude access: Sits at high Andean altitude so climbs require acclimatization and basic glacier/altitude experience; weather can change rapidly.
• Border location: Located on the Argentina-Chile border, approaches are commonly made from both countries depending on permits and road access.