Saturday, October 27, 2007 Volcan Villarica: There are no words to describe you darn Volcano

Saturday, October 27, 2007 Volcan Villarica: There are no words to describe you darn Volcano

We woke up around 6:00 am to eat breakfast (which was brought to our cabin, including them setting the table (with linen) for us) and get ready. We got on the bus at 6:45 and headed to the tour company. We got everything we’d need for the climb, which includes pants, a coat, boots, crampons (teeth like things you attach to the bottom of your feet to keep you from sliding), an ice pick, a helmet, a face warmer, gloves, and sunglasses. We brought our own water and food, which we put in the huge hiking backpacks that they also gave us.

We climbed on the bus and drove about 30 minutes to the jump off point. There was snow along the road and when we got to the base of the volcano I realized why the hike is 5 hours up and 3 hours down. I also understood why we have so much equipment. We piled out and they passed out ski poles and once everyone had their backpacks on, we started hiking. The first 20 minutes was pretty easy and we talked and laughed as we climbed up. We rested a minute to let the rest catch up and I realized that we still had a long way to go. We started again and the group, about 25 people, slowly started spreading out. I stayed pretty close to the front but after about another 15 minutes it got a lot steeper and I slowed down. There was a group of about 10 in front, then me and one other girl, Chelsea a little further behind, then the rest of the group pretty far back. 45 minutes into the hike the group up front stopped and Chelsea and I caught up. The guide at the front told us that at this point we were going to start breaking into groups and that Chelsea and I should wait for the other group to catch up to form the middle group. I was already pretty tired but I figured I could keep up with them but I really didn’t mind since we were all going to meet up eventually. So we waited for the rest to catch up while the fast group sped on ahead.

But when the slow group finally got there the main guide said that we weren’t going to split up any more and we would stay in only two groups. I was disappointed because I knew that meant we’d have to wait for the slowest people, but again I figured we’d all make it anyway so it wouldn’t matter. Since we were going a lot slower I felt great and wasn’t very tired.
Mike and I wanting to go on, but eventually deciding to turn around
Sliding down, guides turning cool
Hot tub/sauna
Dinner
PARTY!!