Sliding through the snow
Our time in South America was drawing to a close, and we wanted to finish with something memorable. Something such as climbing an active volcano, looking down into the smoking crater, then sliding back down it on our bottom. And would you believe it we were in luck, for in Pucon in Chile we could do just that!
Volcan Villarrica giving off some smoke
Volcan Villarrica - we were about to climb this beast!
It was a grueling five hour walk to the summit of the Volcan Villarrica, half over volcanic rock, half over snow. It perhaps seemed harder than it should have, as our guide was a bit of a slave driver. He hardly let us have any breaks, and when we did get a break we barely had time to take a photo and have a drink of water before we were being shepherded off again!
Hiking up the ice
All smiles after the climb
On top of Volcan Villarrica
Made it to the top!
Once at the top we gazed down into the smoking crater, hoping for a glimpse of some bubbling lava, but were out of luck. But it was pretty exciting, or maybe stupid, to be staring down the crater of Chiles most active volcano, which has erupted six times in the last fifty years.
Peering into the crater
Smoking!
We were lucky with the weather though. It was clear for the whole day, providing us with some amazing views of the other volcanos in the area.
View from the top
Volcan Lanin
Volcan Lanin
Then it was time to descend. Why walk when you can slide? We strapped some extra padding onto our bums and off we went! It was great fun and we were down in under two hours!
