forestlake
Lanin Volcano, Lake District, Argentina
I don´t know what´s wrong with me but today I eagerly
agree to climb to the base of a volcano. Could have
had an easy day pottering around San Martin de los
Andes, but no, I decided I needed a challenge (and I
do need the practise for my 8-hour trekking days in
Torres del Paine later this month). Lanin is the
highest volcano in the area at 3776 metres, and means
both ´dead rock´ and something like ´greedy bugger´ in
Mapuche, as it hasn´t erupted in over 200 years but
has two craters. It´s half the size of Aconcagua, the
highest mountain in South America, and takes 3 days to
climb to the summit. The south face requires technical
gear like ice axes and crampons etc.
The bus stops at Junin de los Andes, another small
town in the lake district, for lunch before heading to
Lanin volcano. Poplar spores fill the air like
snowflakes giving the place an ethereal feel. We also
make another stop at the trout farm but it´s closed as
it´s too early in the season.
On the drive to Lanin, I smell burning and the bus
conks out. Apparently the driver didn´t notice that
the oil had run out and kept on driving. This means we
need to walk 2-3 km to the start of the walk to base
camp. It´s hot, dry and dusty and the rocky road seems
endless.
I´m exhausted by the time I arrive and have
accomplished nothing. Would prefer to sit and have
coffee and cake but that´s not an option so grudgingly
begin the walk to the base of the volcano.
The first half of the walk, which takes about 45
minutes, is delightful as it´s through shady forest.
On emerging through the trees, I see Lanin
majestically draped with ribbons of snow. It´s still a
fair way to the treeline though and this is where the
walking gets difficult. I´m determined to reach the
snow so plough through the lunar landscape of rocks
and volcanic sand in the heat. It´s all uphill for
another half an hour until I realise the snow is a lot
further away than it looks. I console myself with
having at least reached the treeline at 1800 metres.
Send instant messages to your online friends uk.messenger.yahoo.com
Lanin Volcano, Lake District, Argentina
I don´t know what´s wrong with me but today I eagerly
agree to climb to the base of a volcano. Could have
had an easy day pottering around San Martin de los
Andes, but no, I decided I needed a challenge (and I
do need the practise for my 8-hour trekking days in
Torres del Paine later this month). Lanin is the
highest volcano in the area at 3776 metres, and means
both ´dead rock´ and something like ´greedy bugger´ in
Mapuche, as it hasn´t erupted in over 200 years but
has two craters. It´s half the size of Aconcagua, the
highest mountain in South America, and takes 3 days to
climb to the summit. The south face requires technical
gear like ice axes and crampons etc.
The bus stops at Junin de los Andes, another small
town in the lake district, for lunch before heading to
Lanin volcano. Poplar spores fill the air like
snowflakes giving the place an ethereal feel. We also
make another stop at the trout farm but it´s closed as
it´s too early in the season.
On the drive to Lanin, I smell burning and the bus
conks out. Apparently the driver didn´t notice that
the oil had run out and kept on driving. This means we
need to walk 2-3 km to the start of the walk to base
camp. It´s hot, dry and dusty and the rocky road seems
endless.
I´m exhausted by the time I arrive and have
accomplished nothing. Would prefer to sit and have
coffee and cake but that´s not an option so grudgingly
begin the walk to the base of the volcano.
The first half of the walk, which takes about 45
minutes, is delightful as it´s through shady forest.
On emerging through the trees, I see Lanin
majestically draped with ribbons of snow. It´s still a
fair way to the treeline though and this is where the
walking gets difficult. I´m determined to reach the
snow so plough through the lunar landscape of rocks
and volcanic sand in the heat. It´s all uphill for
another half an hour until I realise the snow is a lot
further away than it looks. I console myself with
having at least reached the treeline at 1800 metres.
Send instant messages to your online friends uk.messenger.yahoo.com