Penitentes are snow formations found at high altitudes. They take the form of closely-spaced tall thin blades of hardened snow or ice, with the blades pointed toward the general direction of the sun. 

Rarely found except at high altitudes, penitentes grow all over the 4,000 meter high glaciated and snow-covered areas in the Dry Andes. They range in size from a few centimeters to over 5 meters tall and can grow in vast fields.

Penitentes were named after the peak-hooded Mexican monks. [see inset in last photo]

Locals believe, up to the present day, that penitentes are formed by the strong winds of the Andes.

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