danicatalina - Nov 27, 2014 5:55 pm Date Climbed: Nov 27, 2014
Solo Summit, Spring Conditions
Soloed the summit today in about 4.5 hours. The weather was perfect: high clouds, cool, and mild winds.
Began at 6:15 a.m. since the day before had been unbearably hot and had to call off the climb. Today, though, the clouds provided cover through the entirety of the climb.
Equipment carried: helmet, piolet/ice ax, crampon snowshoes, and snowboard
Equipment used: Everything but the crampon snowshoes. Climbed in snowboard boots.
The snow was great spring condition snow. The mountain had received up to 5 cm two days earlier, and at the top, it was still crisp(ish).
Note: the snowmelt means that there is a fair but of scrambling required on the last pitch up to the summit. If I hadn't worn snowboard pants and boots, I would recommend gaitors.
Something else to consider: the route shown in the image on the main page is primarily good for winter or early spring conditions. Since most of the snow had melted when I arrived, I instead drove up to Cerro Cautin (follow the first break-off road before reaching Corralco) and hiked over to the east to begin the ascent there.
JoelSkok - Sep 21, 2012 4:49 pm Date Climbed: Dec 18, 1981
My first Andean volcano
We were a great team of three Peace Corps Volunteers and two Chileans, one of them being Jorge Eduardo Araneda of Curacautín, our leader. Wonderful respect I have for that man. Incredible summit crater and views of at least 8 other volcanos. Unbelievable day, needed ice axes for this summer climb but got away with no crampons.
danicatalina - Nov 27, 2014 5:55 pm Date Climbed: Nov 27, 2014
Solo Summit, Spring ConditionsSoloed the summit today in about 4.5 hours. The weather was perfect: high clouds, cool, and mild winds.
Began at 6:15 a.m. since the day before had been unbearably hot and had to call off the climb. Today, though, the clouds provided cover through the entirety of the climb.
Equipment carried: helmet, piolet/ice ax, crampon snowshoes, and snowboard
Equipment used: Everything but the crampon snowshoes. Climbed in snowboard boots.
The snow was great spring condition snow. The mountain had received up to 5 cm two days earlier, and at the top, it was still crisp(ish).
Note: the snowmelt means that there is a fair but of scrambling required on the last pitch up to the summit. If I hadn't worn snowboard pants and boots, I would recommend gaitors.
Something else to consider: the route shown in the image on the main page is primarily good for winter or early spring conditions. Since most of the snow had melted when I arrived, I instead drove up to Cerro Cautin (follow the first break-off road before reaching Corralco) and hiked over to the east to begin the ascent there.
JoelSkok - Sep 21, 2012 4:49 pm Date Climbed: Dec 18, 1981
My first Andean volcanoWe were a great team of three Peace Corps Volunteers and two Chileans, one of them being Jorge Eduardo Araneda of Curacautín, our leader. Wonderful respect I have for that man. Incredible summit crater and views of at least 8 other volcanos. Unbelievable day, needed ice axes for this summer climb but got away with no crampons.