This past weekend I have spent my time in the town of Pucon (southern Chile), and it was fantastic. Our study abroad group took all of us there as one of our excusions for the program. We left Thursday night and took a 12 hour bus ride to the town. The bus ride wasn't too bad since the seats reclined but it was incredibley hot on the way there. After arriving at about 9 in the morning we hit the ground running getting fitted for equipment and then we preceded to take a 7 hour tour of the town; which finished with a nice rest at some local hot springs. The next day I didn't really have any plans and spent my time walking the town, but not for too long because most of the day was filled with wind and rain. However that night a few of us cooked some pasta for dinner because we were staying in cabins and had each one had a kitchen. Also a side note about the cabins, they had probably the most advanced showers I have seen in a hotel room or cabin. Each shower had multiple jets and shower heads and a radio. But aside from the showers the cabins were normal cabins.
This leads me to that night (Saturday) the night before our big volcano hike. We had to be up early the next morning and we all set our alarms, however our iPhones all fell back an hour becuase they thought it was daylight savings time. Little did we know Chile has postponed that until April so... I get up thinking I have time to get ready on Sunday only to get a call that time hasn't changed and I have 5 mintues to be at the tour agency. I then scramble to find what I need to bring (forgetting many things) and make it to the agency. Which brings me to the actual hike. We were hiking a 9000 foot active volcano whose top half was covered in snow and ice. I was in the later group becuase our phones had got us there late. After hiking for a short while me and a friend broke from that group with a guide and headed up at a faster pace. However little did I know this pace was to increase even more because our guide was catching us up with the first group who left much earlier. After in my opinion a very vigirous hike we met up with the first group where we had lunch (I have never hiked so fast in my life). After lunch we dawned our ice and snow gear and made our way up the volcano this part being much steeper. The group then broke into three groups all at varying paces. And somehow I again ended up in the first faster group. After about two hours I thought I was going to fall off the volcano. The power of the human mind is incredible and I forced myself to keep going. The 10 mintues leading up to the summit is probably the most intense 10 mintues of my life. After reaching the summit I was completely overwhelmed and almost brought to tears. I have never accomplished anything or done anything like this in my life and the fact that I pushed myself through with terrible blisters on my feet was incredibly satisfying. The views were as great as the feelings. However the best part of this hike was coming down. We got to sled down a volcano! When the day was over I can say I have never felt so tired and accomplished. It was amazing. However that night we got on another bus and made our way back home. Which brings me to today where I had one class already and now I am just resting and taking it all in, over all a great trip but I am ready to spend more time here in Viña. I cant wait to see what my next adventure is but I will keep you all posted on everything!
No comments:
Post a Comment