Piton des Neiges

Piton des Neiges, 2003

The Piton des Neiges (French, snow summit ') is 3070.5 m, the highest mountain in the French overseas departments and La Reunion in the Indian Ocean. The summit is without snow, a few days he is covered with hoar frost, rarely covered with some snow. Prior to about 5 million years ago formed by a hot spot on the bottom of the Indian Ocean a volcano. With the ascent of Piton des Neiges formed about three million years ago the island of La Réunion. The volcano rises above the seabed over 7000 m, where it has a circumference of 800 km. He is one of the largest volcanoes in the world. It is believed that the Piton des Neiges once had a height of 4,300 m. He has received its present height by stromolische eruptions, explosions and intense erosion. In contrast to the still much younger, active Piton de la Fournaise he has gone before about 12,000 years ago.

The emptied magma chambers on the flanks of the volcano have plummeted and now form three calderas:

  • The north-west Cirque de Mafate
  • The north-east and Cirque de Salazie
  • The south-west to Cirque de Cilaos.

These three little cauldron with its steep walls of a large part of the appeal of La Réunion.

Originally yet exist the

  • The easternmost Cirque de Marsouins. However, this was in the last outbreaks with Lavagefüllt and now forms the 1300 m high and 6,000 acres of Forêt de Bélouve. In an edge is about 250 meters deep crash with impressive waterfalls, the Trou de Fer ( horseshoe hole ).

The Piton des Neiges is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Ascent

The Piton des Neiges is the Refuge de la cavern Dufour ( 2479 m), climbed, situated on the Grand randonnées ( GR) R1 and R2. The ascent is from the hut in 1 ½ hours over a moderately rising path leads through rock and debris fields. If security is required. As a special treat the sunrise is in on the Piton des Neiges. For this one breaks up at the cottage at 4:00 clock. Good shoes and warm clothing is strongly recommended in all seasons.

To Refuge de la cavern Dufour most simply passes out from the south-west to Cirque de Cilaos. From Cilaos follow the D241 towards Bras Sec. At 1380 m is a parking lot. Follow the GR R1 and R2, and GR is the Refuge in about 3 hours.

Alternatively, to get to the Refuge de la cavern Dufour from Cirque de Salazie. The GR R1 leads of Hell Bourg in about 6 hours on the Cap Anglais to the hut.

The third alternative is the rise over the GR R2 from Southeast.

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