October 17, 2005, Volcan Caviahue, Argentina
10/17/05
South America
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After a brief detour to Lago Blanco to look for black swans(OK, Jill can we go now), we drove 150km northwest from Zapala thru Las Lajas, Loncoupue and finally to Caviahue. The terrain from Zapala is typical eastern WA with desert type brush and the snow capped Andes to the west. About 30 minutes from Caviahue, you enter a huge glacial valley with gigantic boulders strewn about patures with streams and bound by steep snow cliffs. As you reach the summit plateau, a skiers paradise unfolds. Snow covered volcanic slopes with monkey puzzle trees dot the landscape covered with snow. Lago Caviahue shimmers and reflects the snow capped slopes. The small yet booming village of Caviahue is between the lake and ski area. Construction of small Swiss style chalets abounds. Most construction is of brick and cement, not wood. Spring melt off is in progress and the ski area is closed BUT there is snow at the access road.
This part of our trip is based upon the Senior Citizen Approach to Ski Touring in South America - find a ski area that is located on a volcano and you have access.
As we approached the chained road to the ski area, some workers asked me in Spanish where I was going and I replied in the opposite direction of the area. As they drove away we entered the ski area. It was mid afternnon but the skinning was easy. We climbed the slopes and weaved around the monkey puzzle trees and stopped for numerous photos. We left the ski area and headed up to Volcan Caviahue. The volcano is still smoking. This was a relatively easy tour with limited vertical but it was a beautiful sunny day to tour. The ski area is in expansion mode and have plans to put a lift up the volcano. Or maybe the trail map is similar to the one White Pass had for years showing a proposed lift.
The descent was a cruiser but skiing around the monkey puzzle trees was a fun experience. We spent the evening in the Hotel Caviahue for 70pesos and it was one of the few places still open now that the ski area was closed. We tried to drive to Copahue and enjoy the thermal springs and ski Volcan Copahue but the road was not open yet. This would be a great ski but the big snow year has delayed the opening. In the winter, they have snow cats and dog sleds connect the two villages but that stopped when the ski area closed. It is time to go to Chile.
Zap
More photos here:http://zapjillski.smugmug.com/gallery/1026802/1/47601296
This part of our trip is based upon the Senior Citizen Approach to Ski Touring in South America - find a ski area that is located on a volcano and you have access.
As we approached the chained road to the ski area, some workers asked me in Spanish where I was going and I replied in the opposite direction of the area. As they drove away we entered the ski area. It was mid afternnon but the skinning was easy. We climbed the slopes and weaved around the monkey puzzle trees and stopped for numerous photos. We left the ski area and headed up to Volcan Caviahue. The volcano is still smoking. This was a relatively easy tour with limited vertical but it was a beautiful sunny day to tour. The ski area is in expansion mode and have plans to put a lift up the volcano. Or maybe the trail map is similar to the one White Pass had for years showing a proposed lift.
The descent was a cruiser but skiing around the monkey puzzle trees was a fun experience. We spent the evening in the Hotel Caviahue for 70pesos and it was one of the few places still open now that the ski area was closed. We tried to drive to Copahue and enjoy the thermal springs and ski Volcan Copahue but the road was not open yet. This would be a great ski but the big snow year has delayed the opening. In the winter, they have snow cats and dog sleds connect the two villages but that stopped when the ski area closed. It is time to go to Chile.
Zap
More photos here:http://zapjillski.smugmug.com/gallery/1026802/1/47601296
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