Banos de Caulle, PN Puyehue, Chile

This was a varied and interesting 3 day 'out and back' tramp to some hot springs over and around Volcan Puyehue.

Though the first day began cloudy, the clouds cleared enough for an ascent of the volcano on the mostly snow free south east ridge. The second day was a long slog over soft snow through a bizzare volcanic plateau to the hotsprings, which were in a sublime setting. Day three was simply a return to the car, but had amazing weather and great views through the Chilean Andes.

Starting off under grey skies

Leguna Beech Forest


Ascending through highly eroded tephra gullies

Above the refugio, we climb toward Volcan Puyehue

Andy climbs the scoria SE ridge of Volcan Puyehue

The crater of Volcan Puyehue

Back down the SE ridge towards the clouds below

Happy campers.. So nice when it isn't raining...

Sunset over Lago Puyehue

Strolling on snow on the south flank of Puyehue

Andy gets stuck in a deep drift

Amazing terrain and great views

Traversing volcanic ash and fumeroles towards the hot pools

Testing the waters at the first hot springs

Andy and a neat snow cave over a warm river

George and Andy 'enjoy' the hotsprings.

A mix of scalding hot water, frigid snow melt and orange mud..

BYO Cervezas..

Curious cloud and no wind as we return early on day 3

Finally off the snow and enroute to a well earned beer.

Refugio Puyehue and the Volcan

Salto del Indio, PN Puyehue

We went for a short wander the night before our Banos de Caulle trip to the Salto Del Indio, a fantastic waterfall. Very powerful falls and amazing rock formations..

Volcan Lonquimay Ascent, PN Mallelcahuelo, Chile

After being drenched in constant rain whilst walking round Volcan Lonquimay, when the weather cleared after we'd returned, it was time to go for a drive to see the volcano we'd been walking around.

As soon the lads laid eyes on the beautiful peak, they decided it was something that they needed to climb. So we spent the afternoon trying (successfully) to hire extra crampons and ice axes.

Conditions were perfect as we began. Clear skies meant a good freeze and a full moon lit the way for our alpine start. The dawn was incredible, its just such a fantastic time to be up high in the mountains.

The climb was very straight forward, with perfect cramponing conditions until the last few hundred meters where it began to soften a little in the sun. About halfway up the mountain, we encountered very strong winds which made climbing on the ridge much more 'interesting', but the day was perfectly clear and the views sublime.

Daybreak on Volcan Lonquimay's eastern flank

Mike enjoys the sunrise


Getting high on Lonquimay

The ridge begins to narrow and steepen as the wind increases to near gale.
But at least it isn't raining...

Nearing the summit rocks

Mike and Dan on the summit of Volcan Lonquimay, 2865m

Volcan Osorno and many other major peaks can be seen from the summit

Mike descending in softening snow

Strolling back to our car, 4h30m round trip, 1000m of altitude gain.

Lonquimay Circuit, PN Mallelcahuelo, Chile

We were looking forward to the first of our multiday Patagonian trips, but on the morning of our departure on the Lonquimay Circuit, a light rain seemed a little discouraging. The lady at the hostel says it was forecast to rain a bit today and tommorrow, but clear up by day three. Not to worry we thought, the 5 to 6 day trip would leave plenty of time for nice weather to arrive.

But as we crossed a high saddle to the east of the volcano in gale winds and rain, things weren't all that pleasant. Even better was that apart from an hour or so on the morning of day two, the rain didn't even pause for 3 days straight. With not much views and sodden spirits, we just elected to keep walking as much as possible and did the whole trip in 3 solid days.

Camping in those conditions was an excercise in discipline and tolerance, but was worth it for the practise if nothing else. Andy commented 'what excellent gear testing conditions!', while Steph mused 'this is the worst tramp of my life'...

Andy, George, Mike and Steph setting off in the rain and strong wind.

Mike inspects a Aracunia or 'Monkey Puzzle' Tree,

from which the region gets its name

Surely it will clear up soon...

NZ vs Switzerland...

Walking on snow in the rain is never much fun..

Well, its lunchtime now and although we are no longer exposed to the strong winds, the rain seems to be as persistent as ever...

Andy admires a waterfall over a tephra flow

Nearly at our first campsite

Day two looks just like day one. Cold, grey, windy and wet.

Still raining...

At least its a little brighter now.

Visibility is increasing to about 200m.

A good quality Chilean Bridge

Camping in the blowing rain, its the small things that count.

(Like deciding whether to pitch your soaked tent in the mud or in the snow. )

Just incase we hadn't noticed
(Zona de Nieve = Area of Snow)

Grumpy and tired, but nearly home, it finally stops raining and begins to clear

Warm, dry, clean with a plate full of food and a beer in your paw,

it all seems like it was just a bad dream..