Pucon, Chile (Hiking the active Villarrica Volcano) скачать в хорошем качестве

Pucon, Chile (Hiking the active Villarrica Volcano)

After finishing Patagonia, we didn't quite know how tired we were until arriving in Pucon, Chile. This town was exactly what we needed; a quiet mountain town with good infrastructure, food, and again very friendly people. Three days into relaxing and I needed a challenge. The new challenge was to summit the nearby Villarrica Volcano. The video and below cover my best memories of that day. As we prepare to hike the last fifteen minutes to the top of the mountain, I ask, “Is the mask required”? The response was, “If the gas is toxic, then use the mask” To which I ask the obvious question of “When is it toxic”? “You’ll know” So I begin the last portion thinking, “Am I going to die from the gas”? Or better yet, will I merely pass out from the gas and fall into the volcano and become a sacrifice to the gods of Villarrica? None of that happens but when we arrive at the top, the smell is harsh. It’s like being at a hot spring but like I’ve never experienced before. The gas mask was great for breathing but my eyes were another story. After walking away from the smoke, clearing my eyes and walking back, I saw liquid magma exploding into the air. These few minutes we had at the top, despite the agonizing gas, were incredible and one of the best experiences on the trip. That wasn’t all, we still had to descend. The day quickly turned from mountaineering expedition into an adventure park. After we geared up in suits that surely would make me win sexiest man of Pucon, we took our ride down the mountain via butt sliding down a series of ice luges. There was a minimal safety talk but all I heard was we would slide on our butts, brake with an ice axe, and if the speed was great enough then we would eventually stop by running into the person in front of us, brilliant! We had an incredible time and felt like I was five years old at a water park.