|
  | |  |
Sliding down Volcanos!
Entry 22 of 29 | show all | print this entry |
We climbed a snow-covered active Volcano in Pucon and it was bloody great! Following several previous hiking disasters were we have set off in shorts with no food or drink, we were actually well prepared with fleeces, enough water and emergency chocolate biscuits, which was good as we had to meet the guides at 7am in the morning and it was freezing, dark, and there were some asonishing winds whistling over from agentina that almost put the trip in jeopardy. As it was we had to walk the first bit they usually take a cable car up (which was shut due to the wind) as the scree is practically unwalkable, adding a mere hour and a half to the 6 hour ascent. It was tough going at times and the first time I have used crampons and an ice-pick when we got to the snow bit which was great as you felt dead professional. It was scarily steep when you looked down, but a great climb and amazing views when we finally got to the top, including the smoking crater which was mad - its errupted about once a decade in the last century until about 1974 so was unnervingly due a blow.
So yeah, climbed the volcano, saw the views, etc etc , but the most amazing bit was getting down. They had told us we would be sliding down - we thought it was some lost in translation moment, but no, we did slide down. You attached these wrap around cover things to your arse, then you go down these luge-paths they have worn through sliding down which is just like a one man bobsleigh chunneled down the glaciers, and you break with your ice pick and feet - well, that was the theory. Some of the tracks were very steep and very fast - full on take off even at times - I think only one person in our whole group managed to control themselves on the one they affectionaly nickname 'The Terminator', the rest of us were on our fronts, backs and twirling triple salcos by the time we got to the end of the run. I seriously don't think I have ever had so much fun! A long but very memorable day, topped of with a beer when we got back to camp, a perfect ending! Pucon itself was a really pleasent town which has developed as a base for people rafting, hiking, caving etc so has a slight touristy element, but was a great place to spend a few days enjoying the great outdoors!
Off to the Argentine side of the lakes now, hopefully for more action-packed adventure!
|
|
If you like this entry, search for other entries from Chile or try a new search. |
| |
| Table of Contents |
| 22. | Sliding down Volcanos! - Pucon, Chile Mar 08, 2007 |
|
|
|
|
Back to Entry - Back to Home
|
4 votes 
