October 21, 2005, Volcan Antuco,Chile

After a good rest and another great breakfast, we drove from Lonquimay towards Volcan Antuco. We spent the evening in Cabanas, cabins, about an hour west of the volcan in the town of Antuco. We stayed at Touristico Parador for 20,000CLP.  The facility had only one other group but it has a campground and numerous cabanas, about 6 pools and gardens and great picnic grounds all spread among volcanic rock, very different.  There are no restaurants so buy groceries in town and cook in the cabana. The next morning we drove an hour up the gravel road to the base of the volcano. Unfortunately, the clouds and fog covered the volcano.  The ski area was closed and has 2 pomas and the snowline was about 1000vf above us.  With no snow at the base and no visibility, we passed on climbing volcanic cinders in the fog.  The ski area was built in 1981 and has certainly seen its best days.  There is lodging on the mountain during the ski season and probably during the summer climbing season. The next day we saw Antuco on a clear day and it is a beautiful volcano. Jean Luc recommended it highly.  But even in a big snow year, the snowline was high and an early season ski would be required. We decide to drive north to Volcan Chillan.

Zap & Jill