Alright folks - volcano summit (check)
The hike was really simple and easier than imagined, but also more fun than I thought it would be and there were other reasons I was happy to have had a guide.
Woke up early and our guide was eager to make us the first group to the chairlift. He delivered on his promise and we cheated and took the lift up, but it was necessary or else we would be the last group waiting for everyone else. From there its just a short hike to the snowpack where we put on our crampons. Soon after we hit a ridgeline and the wind was howling, soon some of the group was slowing down so we split up into groups. A group of 5 guys pushed ahead and were the first tour group to peak. The last leg was pretty heavy with volcanic gas and we had to stop occasionally - stinging the eyes and choking the lungs...poison has a taste for sure. Once we summited we walked around the crater on the inside to avoid the gases. We sat up there for 15-30 minutes to take lunch an about the time the second group came up we left. Here is a pic from the Villarica (from Ruca Pillan which means "the house of spirits") summit:
The way down was faster, but far more interesting than the way up. No crampons necessary. First you down climb the rock crater. The loose volcano rock sometimes slips and careens down on the groups still climbing up. We were trying to be careful, but when we were 15 minutes down a guy just summiting kicked a rock the size of a huge watermelon loose and it was heading straight for a group in the same chute at breakneck speed. Right before it got to them it his a larger rock and multi-balled into 3 pieces, spraying in different directions and just missed a few of them.
The second leg starts when you hit the snow. You don't walk down- you "bum-slide". I was climbing with the rich and famous of London, don't ask. But really there are grooves in the snow and you slide down the volcano using your ice axe to dump speed if necessary. It was pretty fun to do and even more fun to watch other people fail at. A lot if the other guide companies seemed to prepare their employees poorly and at the bottom they would just take people out.
Ok so the whole thing was awesome and I didnt even have to worry about the joint pain. Then we get back to the hostel and the company provides celebratory beverages and we unpack. Then I think I already mentioned my friend in Ann Arbor has a friend living in Pucon...we went to his place and had a the second bacon cheeseburger I've seen on a menu in 7 weeks (delicious) from the porch with this view:
Then I got a chopp para llevar in my nalgene and joined some hostel friends at the natural hot springs Los Pozones. I was tired from lack of sleep but I was a great end to a great day. And then I had the greatest sleep of this trip.
Today I wanted to go to a national park, but ended up going to a closer beach to hike around. Not the level of hiking I was looking for, but very relaxing and worth the $1.50 bus transfer. Gonna meet up in a bit and then off tomorrow for Puerto Varas.
The hike was really simple and easier than imagined, but also more fun than I thought it would be and there were other reasons I was happy to have had a guide.
Woke up early and our guide was eager to make us the first group to the chairlift. He delivered on his promise and we cheated and took the lift up, but it was necessary or else we would be the last group waiting for everyone else. From there its just a short hike to the snowpack where we put on our crampons. Soon after we hit a ridgeline and the wind was howling, soon some of the group was slowing down so we split up into groups. A group of 5 guys pushed ahead and were the first tour group to peak. The last leg was pretty heavy with volcanic gas and we had to stop occasionally - stinging the eyes and choking the lungs...poison has a taste for sure. Once we summited we walked around the crater on the inside to avoid the gases. We sat up there for 15-30 minutes to take lunch an about the time the second group came up we left. Here is a pic from the Villarica (from Ruca Pillan which means "the house of spirits") summit:
The way down was faster, but far more interesting than the way up. No crampons necessary. First you down climb the rock crater. The loose volcano rock sometimes slips and careens down on the groups still climbing up. We were trying to be careful, but when we were 15 minutes down a guy just summiting kicked a rock the size of a huge watermelon loose and it was heading straight for a group in the same chute at breakneck speed. Right before it got to them it his a larger rock and multi-balled into 3 pieces, spraying in different directions and just missed a few of them.
The second leg starts when you hit the snow. You don't walk down- you "bum-slide". I was climbing with the rich and famous of London, don't ask. But really there are grooves in the snow and you slide down the volcano using your ice axe to dump speed if necessary. It was pretty fun to do and even more fun to watch other people fail at. A lot if the other guide companies seemed to prepare their employees poorly and at the bottom they would just take people out.
Ok so the whole thing was awesome and I didnt even have to worry about the joint pain. Then we get back to the hostel and the company provides celebratory beverages and we unpack. Then I think I already mentioned my friend in Ann Arbor has a friend living in Pucon...we went to his place and had a the second bacon cheeseburger I've seen on a menu in 7 weeks (delicious) from the porch with this view:
Then I got a chopp para llevar in my nalgene and joined some hostel friends at the natural hot springs Los Pozones. I was tired from lack of sleep but I was a great end to a great day. And then I had the greatest sleep of this trip.
Today I wanted to go to a national park, but ended up going to a closer beach to hike around. Not the level of hiking I was looking for, but very relaxing and worth the $1.50 bus transfer. Gonna meet up in a bit and then off tomorrow for Puerto Varas.
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