Climb Lanín Volcano

Day 1: Trek to 2400m; tented mountain camp on the slopes of Lanín Volcano

We start from San Martín de Los Andes at 7am, heading 100km north to the base of Lanín Volcano. Once there, we will register at the Forest Rangers Office and begin the climb towards the tented mountain camp at 2400m. The trek is usually quiet and the 1300m slope is taken at a slow pace. We will complete it in 4-5 hours.

Once at the camp we take some time to recharge, rehydrate and prepare for the summit attempt. We will be adjusting crampons, practicing ice walking and ice axe (piolet) self-arrest techniques. We practice this now so that your first experience with this equipment is not at dawn the next day with only a headtorch for light. Dinner and bed at the tented mountain camp is early in preparation for a very early start the next day.

Length of hike: 4-5hrs

Meals: Picnic lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Mountain camp

Day 2: Trek to Lanín Volcano summit; San Martín de Los Andes

Weather permitting, we leave the mountain camp and start our trek to Lanín Volcano summit at about 3am. Depending on conditions, the first section might be over rocky ground though we'll later need to put on crampons to walk safely on hard snow. The pace will be slow but constant as we make our way along the 1400m of slope towards the summit. This takes 5-7 hours depending on the group and the weather.

Once on the summit we will enjoy the stunning views. Then we start our descent and upon reaching the mountain camp we will collect our sleeping equipment and continue to the base of the volcano where a vehicle will be waiting to take us back to San Martín de Los Andes.

This is a long day that demands 10-13 hours of physical activity. In the evening we meet for a well-deserved celebratory dinner.

Length of hike: 10-13hrs

Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch