Penitentes
These bizarre spires of snow and ice grow, from a few centimeters to over 5 meters or 16 feet, over all glaciated and snow-covered areas in the Dry Andes above 4,000 meters or 13,120 feet.
Penitentes, or nieves penitentes, get their name from the Spanish for “penitent-shaped snows” as they resemble a crowd of kneeling people doing penance. Especially reminiscent of the tall, white and pointed hoods worn by brothers of religious orders in the Processions of Penance during Spanish Holy Week.
