Skiing the Villarica Volcano

Volcan Villarica in early spring beckons skiers to it's 2847 meter (9340 foot) summit.

The resort is closed for the season but Ski Pucon still operates lift 5 on sunny mornings for the climbing community.

James Ledyard, Richard and mountain guide, Guido Schilling, made the ascent on skis and on foot starting from the top of lift 5.

We reached the summit in less than five hours climbing the firm snow.

At the summit, the fumes from the volcano puffed out of the black caldera.

James took a moment on the summit to fly his kite.

The kite caught a breeze and we enjoyed watching it fly over the peak.

Richard and James

Guido selects our descent route heading southwest toward Lago Calqafuen.

In the distance we could see Volcan Choshuenco rising above the clouds.

Guido led the way down the slope of remarkably crisp snow and we followed.

James came down last.

We stopped on the glacier where it broke into seracs.

We'd had a great run down the slope and threaded our way out through the forest below the snowline.

When we finally hiked out the apron carrying our skis, Cristian Levy from Amity Tours greeted us with hamburgers and french fries from Latitude 39.