What do 5 costume changes and an ice pick have on common?

Mar 19

Mar 19 What do 5 costume changes and an ice pick have on common?

It’s simple - they’re all essential for summiting Volcano Villarrica.

Before you roll your eyes, it wasn't my decision to have 5 costume changes, the director (aka our guide) said it was the only way to tackle this beast.

Towering above Pucon, Chile is Volcano Villarrica, an active volcano that also serves as the local ski resort. Standing tall at 2,847m, its last dramatic eruption was in 2010 and lava still bubbles away day and night - as we saw.

Let’s get on with the show.

Costume change #1

Active wear and helmet

Setting off early we were rewarded with a spectacular sunrise over Pucon as we climbed above the clouds upon the rocky volcanic scree. At this stage, I think the helmet is mainly for people who haven’t been able to have their coffee yet.

Feels like climbing to the roof of the world

Costume change #2

Ice pick and crampons

After a steep climb and having reached the bottom of the glacier, it was time to tie on the crampons and take hold of the ice pick. The real adventure began. Clambering up the glacier strapped into crampons did not come naturally to me. I imagine this is what it feels like when baby giraffes takes their first steps. Lucky I was still wearing the helmet.

Who wants to tell her it's backwards...?

Costume change #3

Down jackets and gas masks

100m shy of the summit we zipped up our down jackets to shield us from the strong wind and donned the ever so stylish gas mask. Being the absolute dumb-ass that I am, I thought this gas mask might help with the low oxygen levels up at 2,847m - but that would require an oxygen bottle. Hang my head in shame. The gas masks were to filter out the sulphur spewing out of the volcano from the lava you see bubbling away. In typical South America style, the guides only advice, once we reached the top, peering into the steaming lava was to “not fall over the edge”. Makes sense I guess. No safety ropes, no barriers - just you and the pit of lava.

Merrily bubbling away and minding its own business

Gas not oxygen masks - but it does look cool

Costume change #4

Full ski attire incl. mittens and a bum-sleigh

Style called and uninvited me from all future parties. Outfits like this can only mean one thing - fun lies ahead. And fun is an understatement. After our steep climb up, there was one way down the glacier and that was on our plastic bum-sleighs. This was a real hoot. I was an absolute maniac with zero ability to control my speed or direction much to the dismay of our guide. Again it was lucky I still had the helmet on.

Ready for a hard days work down the mines

Costume change #5

Thongs and a tinnie

Bruised everywhere and covered in volcano scree, nothing feels better than kicking off your hiking boots and cracking open a cold beer. This was Sherpa's favourite costume change.

Climbing volcanos is tough work. They're steep and covered in difficult-to-grip scree. Add a glacier and you've got your work cut out for you. But there’s nothing quite like it.

DO IT

Chill Kiwi House Tours offer the cheapest tours in town (trust me - I shopped around). We absolutely loved our experience with them.