October 22, 2005, Volcan Chillan,Chile
10/22/05
South America
2378
1
We drove from Antuco north to Chillan and headed east towards Termas de Chillan. We found a cabana in the small village of Los LLeuques. A nice A-frame for 15,000CLP but only a wood stove for heat. Got cold that night. A better choice would be 15km further east in Las Trancas which has more expensive cabanas and much newer facilities. Well, we were the talk of the village in Los LLeuques.
The next morning we drove about 40 minutes east to the large ski resort of Terms de Chillan. The area has very modern and expensive hotels and hot springs. We arrived at the ski area to find it has a high wire fence protecting access to the ski slopes. Very unique way to control access. We were puzzled about crossing the fence and gaining access to the snow only a couple of feet away when a busload of kids pulled up. Within minutes they were off the bus and on the snow. We followed our short friends and found that they crawled under the ticket booth which was raised and provided access now that the snow melted. The kids helped us under the stairs and carry our gear and we were in the area.
We skinned up the area and were joined by a couple of snowboarders who provided the volcano beta in Spanish. The terrain surrounding the ski area is vast and provides numerous ridges, bowls cliffs and peaks for touring. We climbed to the volcano and stopped short of the summit. Jill's cough was again causing some problems and we decided to stop, enjoy the views of the surrounding volcanos and soak in the sun. The ski down was fun at the top and soft as we descended. The amount of terrain in this area is varied and complex and would provide lots of ski touring opportunities.
Zap & Jill
Additional photos here:http://zapjillski.smugmug.com/gallery/1033660/1/47943237
The next morning we drove about 40 minutes east to the large ski resort of Terms de Chillan. The area has very modern and expensive hotels and hot springs. We arrived at the ski area to find it has a high wire fence protecting access to the ski slopes. Very unique way to control access. We were puzzled about crossing the fence and gaining access to the snow only a couple of feet away when a busload of kids pulled up. Within minutes they were off the bus and on the snow. We followed our short friends and found that they crawled under the ticket booth which was raised and provided access now that the snow melted. The kids helped us under the stairs and carry our gear and we were in the area.
We skinned up the area and were joined by a couple of snowboarders who provided the volcano beta in Spanish. The terrain surrounding the ski area is vast and provides numerous ridges, bowls cliffs and peaks for touring. We climbed to the volcano and stopped short of the summit. Jill's cough was again causing some problems and we decided to stop, enjoy the views of the surrounding volcanos and soak in the sun. The ski down was fun at the top and soft as we descended. The amount of terrain in this area is varied and complex and would provide lots of ski touring opportunities.
Zap & Jill
Additional photos here:http://zapjillski.smugmug.com/gallery/1033660/1/47943237
Termas de Chillan. A magical playground. A funked-up European style ski paradise in the middle of nowhere.
Highlights to contrast your experience: getting stoned with some Chileans on the sun deck watching the end of a South American ski day fade away; sleeping in a cave underneath - no, behind - a pencil-thin waterfall; clipping bolts on the newly bolted routes on the access road across the street from the ski resort, and subsequently meeting the author of the routes when he came careening over in his Company Truck to make sure we knew what we were doing; We later met him near the summit of Chillan; enjoying a hike-to free hot springs on the slopes of the mountain, perfect jaccuzzis that may well be some of the best hot springs I've ever experienced.
Hmmm, Termas de Chillan. Magical Playground.
Highlights to contrast your experience: getting stoned with some Chileans on the sun deck watching the end of a South American ski day fade away; sleeping in a cave underneath - no, behind - a pencil-thin waterfall; clipping bolts on the newly bolted routes on the access road across the street from the ski resort, and subsequently meeting the author of the routes when he came careening over in his Company Truck to make sure we knew what we were doing; We later met him near the summit of Chillan; enjoying a hike-to free hot springs on the slopes of the mountain, perfect jaccuzzis that may well be some of the best hot springs I've ever experienced.
Hmmm, Termas de Chillan. Magical Playground.
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