Twilight from the Summit at Pico da Bandeira (Flag Peak) at 2,892 m (9,488 ft) MSL, Caparaó National Park, on the border between the municipalities of Ibitirama (Espírito Santo State) and Alto Caparaó (Minas Gerais State), Brazil.
It is the third highest mountain in Brazil, situated on the border of Espírito Santo and Minas Gerais states. It is the highest point in both states. It was historically considered the highest mountain in Brazil until 1965, when Pico da Neblina and Pico 31 de Março, next to the Venezuelan border, were explored, measured, and both found to be higher. The peak is said to have been so named after Pedro II, Emperor of Brazil, ordered a flag to be flown on top of it.
It is one of the major attractions of Caparaó National Park, accessible from the nearby town of Alto Caparaó. That town and the entrance to the park lie in Minas Gerais, but the summit of Pico da Bandeira lies in Espírito Santo.
The summit is accessible to hikers of most age groups, with only very limited fitness requirements. The track from the park entrance to the summit track [8 km (5.0 mi)] can be driven by most vehicles, and the summit track itself runs for approximately 9 km (5.6 mi), with a further 1,000 m (3,280 ft) climb.
***
Our time:
4,5km = 2,79 miles
From 2,190 m (7,185 ft) to 2,892 m (9,488 ft)
Summit of the mountain.
2:08 am - 5:16 am
***
The sequence of the highest mountains in Brazil:
#1: Pico da Neblina (2,993.80 m / 9,822 ft), Venezuela/Brazil;
#2: March 31 Peak (2,972.70 m / 9,816 ft), Venezuela/Brazil;
#3: Pico da Bandeira (2,892 m / 9,488 ft), Brazil;
#4: Pico do Calçado* (2,849 m / 9,347 ft), Brazil;
#6: Pico do Cristal (2,769.80 m / 9,084 ft), Brazil;
The difference from the third highest to the first is only 101.80 meters / 334 ft in altitude.
I climbed the third, fourth and sixth in Brazil this weekend. Only the sixth mountain is challenging.
* For reasons of topographical prominence, the IBGE considers Pico do Calçado a secondary peak of Pico da Bandeira and not a separate mountain.
Twilight from the Summit at Pico da Bandeira (Flag Peak) at 2,892 m (9,488 ft) MSL, Caparaó National Park, on the border between the municipalities of Ibitirama (Espírito Santo State) and Alto Caparaó (Minas Gerais State), Brazil.
It is the third highest mountain in Brazil, situated on the border of Espírito Santo and Minas Gerais states. It is the highest point in both states. It was historically considered the highest mountain in Brazil until 1965, when Pico da Neblina and Pico 31 de Março, next to the Venezuelan border, were explored, measured, and both found to be higher. The peak is said to have been so named after Pedro II, Emperor of Brazil, ordered a flag to be flown on top of it.
It is one of the major attractions of Caparaó National Park, accessible from the nearby town of Alto Caparaó. That town and the entrance to the park lie in Minas Gerais, but the summit of Pico da Bandeira lies in Espírito Santo.
The summit is accessible to hikers of most age groups, with only very limited fitness requirements. The track from the park entrance to the summit track [8 km (5.0 mi)] can be driven by most vehicles, and the summit track itself runs for approximately 9 km (5.6 mi), with a further 1,000 m (3,280 ft) climb.
***
Our time:
4,5km = 2,79 miles
From 2,190 m (7,185 ft) to 2,892 m (9,488 ft)
Summit of the mountain.
2:08 am - 5:16 am
***
The sequence of the highest mountains in Brazil:
#1: Pico da Neblina (2,993.80 m / 9,822 ft), Venezuela/Brazil;
#2: March 31 Peak (2,972.70 m / 9,816 ft), Venezuela/Brazil;
#3: Pico da Bandeira (2,892 m / 9,488 ft), Brazil;
#4: Pico do Calçado* (2,849 m / 9,347 ft), Brazil;
#6: Pico do Cristal (2,769.80 m / 9,084 ft), Brazil;
The difference from the third highest to the first is only 101.80 meters / 334 ft in altitude.
I climbed the third, fourth and sixth in Brazil this weekend. Only the sixth mountain is challenging.
* For reasons of topographical prominence, the IBGE considers Pico do Calçado a secondary peak of Pico da Bandeira and not a separate mountain.