Ruskin refers here to the mountain in the province of the same name in central Ecuador. Located in the Andes, Chimborazo was once believed to be the highest peak in this range. Chimborazo is an inactive volcano which rises to 20,561 feet, and is permanently capped by snow. Its summit was first reached in 1880 by the Englishman Edward Whymper. Ruskin claims that the sky effects in the regions of Chimborazo and Mont Blanc are possible only there and are incorrectly used by the Poussins in depicting other locations.