Pico das Agulhas Negras
Encyclopedia
Pico das Agulhas Negras is the fifth highest mountain
in Brazil
, standing at 2791 metres (9,157 ft) above sea level, making it one of the highest in the Brazilian Highlands
. It is located in Itatiaia National Park
, in the Serra da Mantiqueira
range, on the border of Rio de Janeiro
and Minas Gerais
states.
Its name means Black Needles Peak, because of the sharp dark rocks on its top, which give it a distinctive shape. The peak's massif is known as Itatiaia, which means "stone with many sharp points" in Tupi. The highest rock, with the summit, is known as Itatiaiaçu, or simply Açu (a Tupi suffix meaning "big") among Brazilian mountaineers.
Pico das Agulhas Negras can be seen to the northwest of Resende
when driving between São Paulo
and Rio de Janeiro
on the Via Dutra highway, but this is only possible at a few points on the road, because of a lower mountain range close to the road that stands in the line-of-sight
at most close places. The peak can also be seen from the opposite direction, some 40 km (24.9 mi) away to the northwest, on the road from Cruzeiro
in São Paulo to Passa Quatro in Minas Gerais, from the latter state's side.
A mountain shelter called Abrigo Rebouças is located near the peak base and accessible by a dirt road from BR-485 federal highway, via Itatiaia National Park
's north entrance. At about 2,400 metres (7,874 feet), Abrigo Rebouças is the highest point one can reach on a regular car (as opposed to off-road vehicle
s) in Brazil.
For years, Pico das Agulhas Negras was thought to be the highest mountain in Brazil. The title later went to Pico da Bandeira
, in the Caparaó
range between the states of Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo
(now known to be at 2,892 m or 9,488 ft). In 1965, it was found that Pico da Neblina
, in Amazonas state, was in fact the highest at 2,994 metres (9,823 ft).
Even then, Pico das Agulhas Negras was still thought to be the highest peak in the Mantiqueira Mountains
, until a 2001 GPS measurement (later confirmed by an official joint expedition
of the Brazilian army
and the Brazilian Institute for Geography and Statistics
) showed that nearby Pedra da Mina
was that mountain range's highest point. Pico das Agulhas Negras remains the highest point in Rio de Janeiro state.
The climb to the top was first attempted by Franklin Massena in 1856. Further attempts were made by André Rebouças
in 1878 and by Horácio de Carvalho in 1898, but the summit was only reached in 1919, by Carlos Spierling and Osvaldo Leal.
Mountain
Image:Himalaya_annotated.jpg|thumb|right|The Himalayan mountain range with Mount Everestrect 58 14 160 49 Chomo Lonzorect 200 28 335 52 Makalurect 378 24 566 45 Mount Everestrect 188 581 920 656 Tibetan Plateaurect 250 406 340 427 Rong River...
in Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, standing at 2791 metres (9,157 ft) above sea level, making it one of the highest in the Brazilian Highlands
Brazilian Highlands
The Brazilian Highlands or Brazilian Plateau are an extensive geographical region, covering most of the eastern, southern and central portions of Brazil, in all approximately half of the country's land area, or some 4,500,000 km²...
. It is located in Itatiaia National Park
Itatiaia National Park
Itatiaia National Park , established in 1937, is the oldest national park in Brazil. It is located on the border between Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais states, between 22º16’ - 22º28’ S and 44º34’ - 44º42’ W....
, in the Serra da Mantiqueira
Mantiqueira Mountains
The Mantiqueira Mountains are a mountain range in Southeastern Brazil, with parts in the states of São Paulo, Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro. It rises abruptly from the northwestern bank of the Paraíba do Sul River and extends northeastward for approximately , reaching a height of 2,798 m ...
range, on the border of Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro (state)
Rio de Janeiro is one of the 27 states of Brazil.Rio de Janeiro has the second largest economy of Brazil behind only São Paulo state.The state of Rio de Janeiro is located within the Brazilian geopolitical region classified as the Southeast...
and Minas Gerais
Minas Gerais
Minas Gerais is one of the 26 states of Brazil, of which it is the second most populous, the third richest, and the fourth largest in area. Minas Gerais is the Brazilian state with the largest number of Presidents of Brazil, the current one, Dilma Rousseff, being one of them. The capital is the...
states.
Its name means Black Needles Peak, because of the sharp dark rocks on its top, which give it a distinctive shape. The peak's massif is known as Itatiaia, which means "stone with many sharp points" in Tupi. The highest rock, with the summit, is known as Itatiaiaçu, or simply Açu (a Tupi suffix meaning "big") among Brazilian mountaineers.
Pico das Agulhas Negras can be seen to the northwest of Resende
Resende, Rio de Janeiro
Resende is a municipality located in the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro. Its population was 119,801 and its area is 1,144 km².Resendense refers to people or things from Resende, RJ. Its territory boundaries to the state of São Paulo and Minas Gerais...
when driving between São Paulo
São Paulo
São Paulo is the largest city in Brazil, the largest city in the southern hemisphere and South America, and the world's seventh largest city by population. The metropolis is anchor to the São Paulo metropolitan area, ranked as the second-most populous metropolitan area in the Americas and among...
and Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro , commonly referred to simply as Rio, is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil, and the third largest metropolitan area and agglomeration in South America, boasting approximately 6.3 million people within the city proper, making it the 6th...
on the Via Dutra highway, but this is only possible at a few points on the road, because of a lower mountain range close to the road that stands in the line-of-sight
Sightline
A sightline, or sight line, is a normally unobstructed line-of-sight between an intended observer and a stage, arena, or monument, for example. Sightlines are a particularly important consideration in theatre and stadium design, road junction layout and urban planning...
at most close places. The peak can also be seen from the opposite direction, some 40 km (24.9 mi) away to the northwest, on the road from Cruzeiro
Cruzeiro, São Paulo
Cruzeiro is a city in the state of São Paulo in Brazil. It is located about from the state capital...
in São Paulo to Passa Quatro in Minas Gerais, from the latter state's side.
A mountain shelter called Abrigo Rebouças is located near the peak base and accessible by a dirt road from BR-485 federal highway, via Itatiaia National Park
Itatiaia National Park
Itatiaia National Park , established in 1937, is the oldest national park in Brazil. It is located on the border between Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais states, between 22º16’ - 22º28’ S and 44º34’ - 44º42’ W....
's north entrance. At about 2,400 metres (7,874 feet), Abrigo Rebouças is the highest point one can reach on a regular car (as opposed to off-road vehicle
Off-road vehicle
An off-road vehicle is considered to be any type of vehicle which is capable of driving on and off paved or gravel surface. It is generally characterized by having large tires with deep, open treads, a flexible suspension, or even caterpillar tracks...
s) in Brazil.
For years, Pico das Agulhas Negras was thought to be the highest mountain in Brazil. The title later went to Pico da Bandeira
Pico da Bandeira
Pico da Bandeira is the third highest mountain in Brazil, situated near the border of Espírito Santo and Minas Gerais. It is the highest point in both states as well. It was historically considered the highest mountain in Brazil until the 1950s, when the Pico da Neblina was explored and measured...
, in the Caparaó
Caparaó National Park
Caparaó National Park is a park located on the border between Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo states in Brazil. Pico da Bandeira, one of the highest mountains in Brazil, is located there. Its coordinates are 20º19’—20º 37’ S and 41º43’—41º53’ W....
range between the states of Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo
Espírito Santo
Espírito Santo is one of the states of southeastern Brazil, often referred to by the abbreviation "ES". Its capital is Vitória and the largest city is Vila Velha. The name of the state means literally "holy spirit" after the Holy Ghost of Christianity...
(now known to be at 2,892 m or 9,488 ft). In 1965, it was found that Pico da Neblina
Pico da Neblina
Pico da Neblina is the highest mountain in Brazil, above sea level, in the Serra do Imeri, a section of the Guiana Highlands on the Brazil–Venezuela border. As determined by a border survey expedition in 1962, its summit lies just within Brazilian territory, at a horizontal distance of only from...
, in Amazonas state, was in fact the highest at 2,994 metres (9,823 ft).
Even then, Pico das Agulhas Negras was still thought to be the highest peak in the Mantiqueira Mountains
Mantiqueira Mountains
The Mantiqueira Mountains are a mountain range in Southeastern Brazil, with parts in the states of São Paulo, Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro. It rises abruptly from the northwestern bank of the Paraíba do Sul River and extends northeastward for approximately , reaching a height of 2,798 m ...
, until a 2001 GPS measurement (later confirmed by an official joint expedition
Exploration
Exploration is the act of searching or traveling around a terrain for the purpose of discovery of resources or information. Exploration occurs in all non-sessile animal species, including humans...
of the Brazilian army
Brazilian Army
The Brazilian Army is the land arm of the Brazilian Military. The Brazilian Army has fought in several international conflicts, mostly in South America and during the 19th century, such as the Brazilian War of Independence , Argentina-Brazil War , War of the Farrapos , Platine War , Uruguayan War ...
and the Brazilian Institute for Geography and Statistics
IBGE
The Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics or IBGE , is the agency responsible for statistical, geographic, cartographic, geodetic and environmental information in Brazil...
) showed that nearby Pedra da Mina
Pedra da Mina
Pedra da Mina is the highest mountain in the Brazilian state of São Paulo, the highest in the Serra da Mantiqueira mountain range and one of the highest in all Brazilian territory...
was that mountain range's highest point. Pico das Agulhas Negras remains the highest point in Rio de Janeiro state.
The climb to the top was first attempted by Franklin Massena in 1856. Further attempts were made by André Rebouças
André Rebouças
André Pinto Rebouças was a Brazilian military engineer, abolitionist and inventor, son of Antônio Pereira Rebouças and Carolina Pinto Rebouças. Lawyer, member of Parliament and an adviser to Pedro II of Brazil, his father was the son of a manumitted slave and a Portuguese tailor...
in 1878 and by Horácio de Carvalho in 1898, but the summit was only reached in 1919, by Carlos Spierling and Osvaldo Leal.
External links
- Brazilian blog (in Portuguese) with many photographs of the peak and the nearby Finnish settlement of Penedo. Includes pictures of Agulhas Negras covered in snow (a rare phenomenon).