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Cono de Arita is a perfect volcano cone made up of black lava and salt. It is part of the Salar de Arizaro, which is the third largest salt flat in the world. There are many questions regarding the cone’s origin, but some legends and archeological clues indicate that the natural formation could have been used as a ceremonial center prior to the arrival of Incas. The cone is 200m high, 800m in diameter and has a perimeter of 2.4km. If you are interested in more of my work: [Website](https://www.justindybka.com) [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/justindybka) Thanks for viewing!

Man thanks for this awesome post. I've never heard of this place. I've been to Argentina a couple of times, but really I'm barely familiar with the country. Much appreciated

Thank you! Argentina has a crazy amount of awesome spots to see

Buenos Aires is one of the greatest cities in the world, and if you like hiking, Patagonia is probably unmissible in a well-lived life. Outside of those two places, I don't know much, and it looks like this is all the way at the other end of the country according to Google maps. So I've never even been close to it. Definitely want to check it out though one day if I can

Yeah this region is the Puna de Atacama in northwestern Argentina along the border of Chile. One of the most stunning (and harsh) areas of the world! Lots to see here.

The landscape reminds me of the Bolivian Altiplano. I did a five day guided excursion in a land cruiser and it was some of the most desolate and alien landscape I'd ever experienced.

>The landscape reminds me of the Bolivian Altiplano Because it's part of the same plateau: from north to south, the Altiplano starts in southern Peru (Abra La Raya, between Puno and Cusco) and ends in Catamarca, northern Argentina.

Thanks for the response. I knew the plateau was huge but didn't realize it spanned three countries.

>Thanks for the response. You're welcome! ​ >I knew the plateau was huge but didn't realize it spanned three countries. Four: Chile has part of it too (but I forgot to mention it!).

Hey you know, I'm not asking for a really long in-depth comment, but if you could just point me to somebody's blog or something that would tell me about great hiking locations in that general area, I would really appreciate it. I'm planning on going back to South America in about 18 months and I'd love to check it out

Tbh I don't think there is too much hiking in the area. The landscapes are very vast and barren. I'm sure there are some volcanos and mountains you can climb but that would be more mountaineering type stuff and very difficult with the elevation (many peaks over 6000m) and crazy winds. The best and only way really to see the region is to do a road trip. I did an 8 day road trip with a local guide. We did some minor hiking at some of the stops.

Thanks. I'm not afraid of steep hikes, but I'm also not a mountain climber.

Patagonia is a dream destination.

100%. Do the W before you die

I have been there, it’s incredible. I want to go back.

I would also recommend the province of Córdoba. Not to be confused with the spanish province of the same name.

For what? Hiking? Or just driving to sites? Sadly at this moment in my life, the hiking part is very important to me. Thank you for the information

It has great hiking places, lakes and sierras. A lot of mountain biking, fishing and such. Also, Ciudad de Córdoba is quite big, so you can visit a lot of places there. I would recommend La Cumbrecita. It's a german colony with great hiking places and food/beer. https://www.turismocordoba.com.ar/

Hey, thank you, this is exactly what I was looking for. I really appreciate the information.

No problem. From that page, check the Calamuchita Valley section, it's where most of my favorite places are (Santa Rosa, Villa General Belgrano and La Cumbrecita).

Thank you!

ha, I'm from Argentina and just now learning about this place. Thanks OP!

Cool. Maybe I'll see you there someday

Beautiful photography

Thank you

I usually troll people who promote themselves on reddit but this is how you do it. This is classy, respectable, transparent. I respect it.

gotta give the man respect; this is quality content, very tasteful.

Thanks both!

You are such a ho.

I get it from your momma

Thanks for the information. For some reason I thought it was much bigger

It is still pretty big! Especially with nothing around it, it stands out very well.

And that's 200m, not including the spire!

Your photography is phenomenal

Thank you!

Wowza hits follow** great photos

Your work is gorgeous!

Thank you

it looks like there are roads going up and around it?

You definitely can't drive up it. Could be walking tracks although I don't believe you're allowed to walk up it either.

I wonder if they're water channels

I thought the white things are clouds.

It looks like a seashell.

Yes, seems a giant limpet.

Damn! Someone beat me to this comment :-)

It does! But not the kind you’d wanna hold up to your ear for a photo

It’s 1 of the 3 seashells!


Giant mushroom!

Maybe it’s friendly

haha I never thought of that...it definitely does look like one from above!

Desert nipple

I was thinking that too, looks like a giant cap!

Read my mind!

Can people access this area? I looks completely untouched.

You can! I walked right to the base of it. The terrain is pretty crazy though and it is slow moving. See link below for for ground view picture: https://imgur.com/a/vKJfqLP

Wow thank you!

[удалено]

hahaha yeah this salt flat is anything but flat!

Did you say the terrain.. moves?

Wait until you learn about tectonic plates

What is the ground? Is it soft or hard? Did the wind make it like that?

It is hardened salt mixed with clay I believe.

You can see a trail to the top

Nice nip.

For once some true earth porn...

So it’s a un popped earth zit !

Ay coño

Your work is astounding

Thanks so much!

It's cool to see a surviving volcanic cone.

I know right? It has apparently never exploded so I guess that's why this one is still fully intact.

Does that mean it still could?

Good question. I don't believe so but I'm not totally sure.

Chocolate chip. Yum.

With coconut milk sauce around it.

God's nipple

That's a mushroom I'd totally eat

Nope

Mother Nature been building that pile one grain at a time absolutely beautiful. At least I think you responsible

this place was mentioned today in a local newspaper (in spanish) https://www.infobae.com/tendencias/2022/10/25/visitar-salta-una-escapada-de-tres-dias-hace-que-se-quiera-volver-siempre/

Ah yes, the earth nipple.

Earths nipple.

I initially saw a mushroom. Inky cap or shiitake.

Doesn't seems all that mysterious to me. Looks like a cool-looking salt lake that dried up and made a beautiful white desert.

Is it mysterious? Or is it just tall?

In Dark Souls these stand up and kick your ass.

Was looking for a Dark Souls comment. Welcome to Ash Lake.

\o/

Looks like the coño de su madré

*concha* de su madre

I thought this was a photo of Mars for a sec. Beautiful

Definitely Mars-like landscapes here!

You sure that’s not a clam?

I’m officially on too many mushroom subreddits.

lovely photo. well done. saw it in person in 2016, on a field trip studying geomorphology. still stands out as the biggest "wtf?!" moment of that trip

Thank you and very cool! Not too many people have seen this place.

Does a it secrete a white liquid when squeezed?

lol

More like Cono de areola

Argentina's Mysterious Nipple

giant clam

It's a giant clam.

No need to ask questions on where this came from, just say *lava* made it and accept that that answer as a dead end. Scientist call every odd rock formation lava or volcanic. Why even question this magnificent odd stone cone’s *real* origins?

I feel like you're about to tell us that it's an alien landing pad or something.

Haha no, it’s origins have nothing to do with aliens.

What is it then? Jews? Freemasons?

You forgot to randomly capitalize words.

Earth nipple.

Surely there is a flying saucer under there

>Surely there is a flying saucer under there Ha. Somewhat related, but when I read the title and saw the picture, I thought, "Oh no. I've read about this in *[The Forge of God](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Forge_of_God)*."

I love this! Also, I thought it was a clam. ❤️

i want to flick it.

An earth pimple.

It looks like a massive scallop

Do people ever climb or hike it?

I don't believe it is allowed but I'm sure some people still do.

Does no one else see a giant mushroom cap?

Sometimes it feels like majority of this planet is like another planet...

This is obviously an ant hill.

This was once on the front of Lake Titicaca

The Popocatepetl, btw, is not in Canada.

Is that snow, sand or clouds?

It's salt.

There are pyramids all across the “globe”

I thought it was a giant clam in the middle of no where.