I should’ve written this the second I came down from the mountain, but my optimistic notions of being able to hike up a volcano with no previous training was then manifesting as a deep exhaustion and general body aches. In any case, here I am writing about it weeks later.

The hike began early in the morning, by 7:30 AM we were at the base of the mountain. Villarrica is one of the most active volcanoes in South America. The playful waft of white smoke that oozes from its crater, which makes for a lovely souvenir photo from Pucón, is suddenly a lot more serious when up close. I keep thinking back on what a guide from a hike we did one of the previous days, Francisca, had said when I asked her about the volcano. “I’ve hiked it so many times”. “La primera vez que subí, fue impactante. Creo que mi perspectiva sobre muchas cosas cambió ese día”. I wondered why out loud. “Empiezas a ver las cosas de otra manera. Te das cuenta de la vista que tiene el volcán sobre Pucón y los otros pueblos, y te das cuenta del poder que tiene. Ver el archipiélago creado por las erupciones pasadas, los valles y caminos que la lava y los lahares han tomado durante los años. Es otro tipo de creación.”

English, translated:

[The first time I ascended, it was incredible. I believe that day shifted my outlook on many aspects. You begin to perceive things from a new angle. You become aware of the commanding view the volcano has over Pucón and the neighboring towns, and you realize the power it has. Witnessing the archipelago formed by historical eruptions, observing the valleys and trails shaped by lava and lahars over time. It is a different type of creation.]

geotechnic anthropocenes

shaded encounters

pepe’s memorial