Cerro Mercedario

Information

Cerro Mercedario is a mountain in the Andes located in the province of San Juan in Argentina. Unlike other mountains over 6000 meters in the region, its summit does not lie on the international border between Argentina and Chile, a detail that sometimes causes confusion. With an elevation generally estimated at around 6770 meters above sea level, it is the highest summit in the province and one of the highest in the Americas (some sources rank it as the fourth-highest mountain on the continent).

It is part of the Cordillera de la Ramada, a mountain range in the Andes of San Juan that includes other major peaks such as Pico Polaco, Alma Negra, La Mesa and Cerro Ramada. These mountains each have their own distinct summits but belong to the same mountainous region. In particular, Mercedario gives its name to the mountain group associated with several of these peaks. The Cordillera de la Ramada is characterized by its steep terrain, arid valleys, glaciers and extreme weather conditions.

One of the places where Cerro Mercedario can be admired is Pampa del Leoncito, a vast arid plain in San Juan where the imposing snow-covered mountain stands out against the horizon. Its silhouette rises above the surrounding Andean peaks and on clear days Pico Polaco can also be seen to its left.