Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
The alarm goes off at 3.40 am. We need to get up, only after less than 3 hours sleep. Friday nights can be loud in hostels, and due to logistic problems in the hostel, we were asked to share a single bed, so the sleep wasn't great. But we don't feel tired anymore, mostly curious and a little nervous of what is coming.
There's 20 of us. We take a seat on some benches outside the shop, and all get a backpack with waterproof clothes, a helmet, gloves and crampons, and also an icepick, while the guides tell us some important things. Then we head out in the pitchdark night towards Volcan Villarica, our big challenge for the day!
Arriving there, at the foot of the mountain, it looks massive, I can't believe we are actually gonna climb it or be on top of it. I feel a bit nauseous, not sure it is because of travelsickness or because I am a little nervous. As a Dutch girl I feel at a disadvantage, coming from the flattest country in the world, not growing some mountain legs when I was younger. I am definetely ready to get going and see how we get on.
We start off on a path of grit and big rocks, a climb of 400 vertical meters in just over and hour. Because it is still quite dark, it is difficult to see where to place your feet, so we trip every now and then. Already there is a division in the group, very quick people, and those who take it more slowly. When we get up there, it is still dawn, and surprisingly enough, we are among the 8 quickest. The group is split in two after that, both with 2 guides, and we get to take off on the snow in the first group.
One guide at the front, makes the steps in the snow, and we all follow in one line behind him. We climb up criss-crossing over the hill, which gets pretty steep. We can use the icepick for stability, which is necessary, because the wind can blow you right off the mountain! A nice preview by one of the guides of what to do when you fall and how to use the icepick, makes you not want to experience that!
Although we climb a lot of meters, it is still manageble, especially as you see the sun come up behind the volcano and colours the clouds below us red. A break nearly halfway, at 2200m, gives us a good look in daylight of what we are actually doing. A banana and some chocolate gives us the energy to get going again.
Here, higher up, it feels much colder, and it seems that the wind is really trying to stop us climbing up. I feel my legs getting tired, and hear Ben behind me breathing heavier than normal. I didn't think it could get steeper, but it really did! We were told it is ' only' one hour to the top, and a break to catch our breath was very welcome. From there it was another 20 min walking, again on grit and very steep, and it feels so good to finally get to the top!!
It literally takes our breath away, because the active volcano blows out some sulphur, which really burns in your throat. The view is good, although there are some low clouds, so we are not able to look all the way down to Pucon. It feels like a great achievement, escpecially since were are the first ones up here, with 10 others and it is only 9am! We have a nice windy walk around the volcano - your choice, either get blown off the volcano, or into it! - and see all the different coloured stones around it.
By the time we are ready to head down, a big cloud comes over and covers the volcano behind a white curtain. We are told to put all our waterproof clothes on and take a slightly different route down: sledging! We have a small plastic bumsledge and there are routes to follow. We are told to control our speed and stay in the outlined routes, but steering is quite difficult and it is much more fun being out of control.
In no-time we manage to come the whole 1200m down, walk the last bit on grit and get back to the cars around 12 noon. We get back to the shop in half an hour, although very tired, we are really happy and enjoy a well deserved (free) beer!!
- comments
Jorien A Moii!! Wat aan avontuur! Die inca trial doen julie met twee vingers in de nase! Het mag officieel niet meer maar toch een heel gelukkig 2012 voor jullie! Hier net terug van de wintersport, wat nog n heel avontuur was, maar das niet boeiend voor hier :). Zal gauw een update jullie kant uit sturen! Dikke kussen uut grunn!
Anneloes Niceee! goeie dingen luitjes! Tof om te lezen!!! Dikke kussen!
Si Sounds awesome dudes, I wish I was there! Beer always taste better after you have conquered something.. Hope you are both okay. Si xx
Marieke Wow, dat is toch iets anders dan met de lift omhaag en op ski's naar beneden! Sounds nice!