Piton des Neiges
| Piton des Neiges | ||
|---|---|---|
 Piton des Neiges |
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| height | 3070 m | |
| location | Réunion , Indian Ocean | |
| Coordinates | 21 ° 4 '59 " S , 55 ° 28' 59" E | |
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| Type | extinct shield volcano | |
| Age of the rock | 3 to 5 million years | |
The Piton des Neiges ( French for 'snow peak') is at 3,070 m the highest mountain in the French overseas department of La Réunion and the Indian Ocean . The summit is snowless. On a few days of the year it is covered with hoarfrost, very rarely covered with a little snow. About 5 million years ago, a hot spot formed on the floor of the Indian Ocean, a volcano. With the rise of the Piton des Neiges , the island of La Réunion was formed about three million years ago. The volcano rises more than 7000 m above the sea floor and has a circumference of 800 km at its base. This makes it one of the largest volcanoes on earth. It is believed that the Piton des Neiges once had a height of 4,300 m. It got its current height through strombolian eruptions, explosions and intense erosion. In contrast to the much younger, still active Piton de la Fournaise , it was extinguished about 12,000 years ago.
The emptied magma chambers on the flanks of the volcano collapsed and today form three calderas :
- the Cirque de Mafate in the northwest,
- the Cirque de Salazie in the northeast and
- the Cirque de Cilaos in the southwest.
With their steep walls, these three cauldrons make up a large part of the charm of La Réunion.
Originally still existed
- Cirque de Marsouins in the east of the mountain. However, this was filled with lava during the last eruptions and today forms the 1300 m high and 6000 hectare Fôret de Bélouve. In one flank there is a 250 meter deep drop with impressive waterfalls, the Trou de Fer .
The Piton des Neiges is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site .
Ascent
The Piton des Neiges is climbed from the Refuge de la Caverne Dufour (2479 m), which is located on the Grand Randonnées (GR) R1 and R2. The ascent takes place from the hut in 1½ hours on a moderately rising path that leads over fields of rocks and rubble. Surefootedness is required. The sunrise on the Piton des Neiges is a special experience. To do this, you leave the hut at 4:00 a.m. Good shoes and warm clothing are strongly recommended in all seasons.
The easiest way to get to Refuge de la Caverne Dufour is from Cirque de Cilaos to the southwest . From Cilaos follow the D241 towards Bras Sec. At 1380 m there is a parking lot. Follow the GR R1 and GR R2 and get to the refuge in about 3 hours.
Alternatively, you can get to the Refuge de la Caverne Dufour from the Cirque de Salazie . The GR R1 leads from Hell Bourg in about 6 hours over Cap Anglais to the hut.
The third alternative is to climb the GR R2 from the southeast.
See also
List of mountains on Reunion Island
