Volcán Tupungato

Wildlife around Tupungato includes high-altitude specialists like the Andean condor, guanacos, and vicuñas. Mountain vizcachas can be spotted on rocky outcrops, while pumas occasionally traverse the lower slopes. Several species of high-altitude birds, including the Andean goose and mountain caracara, inhabit the region.

Vegetation is sparse due to the extreme altitude and climate, but hardy high-altitude species can be found at lower elevations. Notable plants include yellow amancay flowers, low-growing cushion plants, and various species of lichens that have adapted to the harsh alpine environment.

Standing at 6,570 meters (21,555 ft), Tupungato is a massive stratovolcano formed during the Late Pleistocene-Holocene period. Though currently dormant, it features impressive glacial formations, volcanic deposits, and a complex crater structure. The mountain is part of the Principal Cordillera of the Andes, sitting on the Argentina-Chile border.

Volcán Tupungato experiences extreme alpine conditions typical of high Andean peaks, with temperatures ranging from -20°C in winter to 10°C in summer. The climbing season runs from December to March when conditions are most favorable. Sudden weather changes, strong winds, and heavy snowfall are common year-round at this altitude.

First climbed in 1897 by German mountaineer Matthias Zurbriggen, Tupungato has a rich climbing heritage. The mountain gained international attention in 1947 when a Star Dust aircraft crashed on its slopes, with the wreckage only discovered in 2000 due to glacial movement. The name 'Tupungato' comes from the indigenous Huarpe language, meaning 'star viewpoint.'

The mountain's most distinctive features include its massive glaciated summit, the Star Dust crash site, and spectacular views of neighboring peaks including Aconcagua. The surrounding Tupungato Provincial Park offers protected wilderness areas, pristine glacial lakes, and unique geological formations shaped by volcanic activity.