Another Touring in Chile Story

[riff]

As always: I don’t think I’m giving away anything too secret here, but if any locals or anyone at all think it’s to much online spray, tell me and I’ll trim it up. There’s so much more than i’ve had the patience to write, and your trip will have adventures, choices and blessings all it’s own. Enjoy the journey.
This November i had time set aside for another jaunt to Patagonia for a large idea; in the end I couldn’t muster any partners able to go, but the time off was still there. I’ve always wanted to do a tour of volcanoes in October, but they’d had a good year and I thought “November isn’t that much later, if it’s thin I’ll just keep driving south”. So I bought a ticket and started planning.

I flew to Concepcion; Temuco would have worked well too. It was so much easier getting the rental car, shopping for supplies and getting underway from a midsize/small city than Santiago. Plus, closer to the action.
Day one: arrive, shop and drive to Volcan Antuco and Sierra Velluda, first night camped by Laguna Laja:


Day two I packed for three days out and headed for a camp on the North side of Sierra Velluda in a spot i hoped would be decent shelter from forecasted high winds and 10” os snow overnight.

The storm was a powerful as predicted! Day three was spent recovering and waiting for a cloud break, which did happen, and a lovely 4k line was skied on decent snow- not pow. Too windy. I have a fun video of a nearby waterfall getting blown back up the cliff. Escoba de Dios indeed.

Day four i picked off a couple of little laps on Antuco and headed back to the car for a drive South to the next venue.


Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

[stealurface831]

winning

[riff]

Day five and six, having looked at Lonquimay and not felt inspired, I ventured on to Llaima. Good choice- Araucaria trees, parrots and two incredible days of mind blowing corn and excellent company at the small ski area parking lot. I even encountered gringo friends from two years ago! This summit is fairly active, with recent eruptions and striking pics to be seen online.

Day 7, another storm was coming, and hotter. 2” of rain in 36 drove me to Pucon for a roof and some basic tourism. I stayed in a treehouse by the lake, packrafted a bit, and sat in a termas. (Hot spring)
The rain was incredible. I’m glad I didn’t try to tent out in it, of tot with altitude. My hopes were to wait for clearing and do Villarica which looked amazing from Llaima and perhaps also Lanin. The third pic is an indoor market with a pingpong table- genius.


Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

[ktoor]

lovin this! solo trips always have held a special place for me.


Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

[riff]

The weather was hanging on a bit longer, and freezing levels were staying high so I abandoned plans to go even further south to worse weather by Puntiagudo and Tronador, both of which were likely beyond my risk tolerance as a soloist anyway. I ended up heading to Nevado de Longavi, and packed a four day outing to approach the mountain via Rio Achibueno(14miles), ski the northeast aspect and return by packrafting the Achibueno. This was a heavy pack, and the river was certainly near the limit of good solo decisions, and was over 110 feet per mile according to the map. In the end I was incredibly happy I brought the boat- plenty of portaging and various struggles that exceed the scope of my Iphone typing patience, but it was worth it. Lovely skiing, spicy boating, killer experience. Oddly, it was deep green forest at the trailhead and hot/dry/pokey desert above 3500 feet. I saw a tarantula in camp at 4700 feet. I didn’t dally too long on the mountain for this one, freezing levels were stratospheric and the river was the place to be. This was also the first time I’ve paddled one of these boats with skis inside- works great and I honestly can’t believe what I got away with in these rapids- I’d call it class 3-4 minus. Ridiculously fun, and the river allowed me through graciously. With many portages.


Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

[riff]

Next I had shockingly only a few days to go, and decided to milk the remaining corn weather in the Chillan area. This was the first place I ever went in Chile in September of 2015. It was cloudy then, and started that way this time too. Things rapidly improved though, and I went up for a night at Garganta del Diablo Refugio, with the plan to truck over to Volcan Nuevo the next day when the weather opened. A peaceful afternoon led to a quick sunset corn lap for pics and turns.
The next day was absolutely bluebird as promised and the refreeze was good. I marched into the resort, dropped my camp pile at 8k and had a nice summit moment before reaping all the way to the parking lot. Lovely.

I’m writing this from the Concepcion airport, waiting for my connection to Santiago, LA and home to the PNW which seems to be in the start of a great winter and will be skiable when I get home. I’m so grateful for what Chile and the Andes have given me once again; a welcoming country that serves up incredibly memorable and beautiful experiences every time I come. I made this one happen as a soloist and I have to say my apprehensions were good to keep me focused, but the people and culture of Chile never gave me any reason to be stressed. Thank you so much, southern neighbors, you will be seeing me again![emoji120]



Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

[Hott Butt Mud]

This is badass! Thanks for sharing this, dude!

[shroom]

killer stuff riff

[Norseman]

Super good. Bravo on the packrafting, that looks absolutely sick.

[tgapp]

Absolutely amazing tr riff, thanks for sharing

Sent from my Pixel 8 Pro using Tapatalk

[rudy]

Inspiring shit. Thanks for the write up. Some day...

[DeathVan]

Thank you for taking the time to share your inspiring adventure.
Beautiful variety!

[2FUNKY]

Well played Riff!! Thanks for the write up.


Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

[NW_SKIER]

Stoke!

[riff]

Thanks gents! I’m winding my way back through Seattle to the East side now, stoked to be home!


Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

[plugboots]

Thanks for sharing.

[kamtron]

Awesome, viva Chile, mierda!

[cat in january]

A most excellent trip report. Thank for sharing

[garyfromterrace]

Damn riff, amazing solo trip. Thanks so much for taking the time to post it up. Inspiring shit!

[climberevan]

Super!

[Full Trucker]

Friggin’ awesome.

[zion zig zag]

Great TR, sick adventure!


Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

[lifelinksplit]

Awesome! Most impressed by the solo pack raft descent. I'm way more risk averse in WW than on snow.

Sent from my SM-S236DL using Tapatalk

[Doremite]

Muchas Gracias!

[NWFlow]

Wow. That packraft egress is fucking out there. Any more photos from that portion of the trip??