El Altar
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| El Altar | |
|---|---|
| Elevation: | 5,320 m (17,454 ft) |
| Latitude: | 1° 40′ S |
| Longitude: | 78° 25′ W |
| Location: | Ecuador |
| Range: | Andes |
| Type: | Stratovolcano |
| First ascent: | 1963 |
| Easiest route: | rock/ice climb |
El Altar is an extinct volcano on the western side of Sangay National Park in Ecuador, 170 km south of Quito. Spaniards named it as such as it resembled a huge cathedral to them. To the Incas, it was called Capac-Urcu (King mountain).
A technically demanding climb, December through February are the best months to attempt an ascent.
