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Hidden
Attractions
Experience
the Outdoors in Central Chile
Text and
Photos: Malte Sieber
Those travelling
to Chile are all bound to arrive in its capital Santiago in the
center of this country stretching over a length of 4,500 km. But
most visitors, seemingly unafraid of the distances and the inconvenience
involved, are anxious to depart for the north or the south of the
country almost immediately. By European standards, one might ask,
'Who would travel to northern Norway and to the Sahara, and all
within three weeks?'
This is what
the Austrian mountain guide Franz Schubert and the German journalist
Malte Sieber have been wondering, who together authored the travel
guide "Adventure Handbook Central Chile" published just
recently. Having lived in Chile for years, they have compiled countless
opportunities for experiencing the outdoors offered by the Central
region of the country. "The area between Santiago and Los Angeles
is every bit as attractive as Torres del Paine or the Atacama desert",
says Franz Schubert, who knows the central Andes like his own backyard.
"There are huge glaciers and smoking volcanoes, cactus desert
and Nothofagus forests, crystal clear rivers and turquoise mountain
lakes waiting to be discovered."
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Another well-kept
secret: The transitional zone between the arid north and the rainy
south is home to the greatest species diversity in flora and fauna.
Visitors will find a number of cacti growing here, as well as plants
usually associated with the lake district further south - from roble
to coigüe, and from chilco to copihue. The same variety applies
to animals: flamingo and condor, guanaco and huemul, penguin and
sea lion, as well as many other species, are all native to this
area.
Since the authors
are avid mountain trekkers, the Andes form the centerpiece of their
book. 23 trekking tours are described in sufficient detail to allow
even novice trekkers to try out a few of them. "The great advantage
of the central Andes is that fair weather is practically guaranteed
most of the year," adds Franz Schubert. The tours are presented
according to degree of difficulty, from easy hikes such as the one
in La Campana National Park, to multi-day summit ascents like the
one tackling Tupungato volcano (6,550 m). Maps, sketches, and even
GPS data for some tours make finding one's way easy.
But those who
fancy other sports are well-served, too: rock climbers and mountain
bikers, kayakers and surfers can find tips for where to indulge
in their favorite passtime. Likewise, the book contains information
on horseback rides in the mountains, the most popular starting ramps
for paragliders, as well as an overview of bays and shipwrecks worth
exploring for divers.
2002 has been
proclaimed the International Year of Ecotourism. Franz Schubert
comments, "We have placed special emphasis on describing the
natural environment in detail, and to promote its protection so
that this does not remain merely an empty motto." Which is
why, in addition to drawings and photos of typical animals and plants,
the book also features a number of tips for tourists on how to treat
the natural environment responsibly and with respect.
The ten most
beautiful mountain tours of Central Chile
1)
Cerro El Plomo (5,424 m)
Santiago's landmark
mountain has always lured mountain climbers who want to try an "easy"
5,000 m peak to enjoy the panoramic view of the roofs of the Andes.
In 1954 the well preserved body of an Inca child who had been sacrificed
to the gods was found here.
2)
Volcan Tupungato (6,550 m)
Even though this
area is a lot more attractive as far as scenery than the area around
Aconcagua, the volcano Tupungato is not climbed very often. The
long march to the base camp and the enormous difference in altitude
of the last stages give the rather easy climb the characteristics
of a tour in the Himalayas.
3) El
Morado Natural Monument
This colorful
Andean mountain valley was named after the jagged teeth of Cerro
Morado (4,490 m) and can be hiked in a day tour or more leisurely
in two days. Especially in the Spring, the ground is covered with
a multitude of wildflowers. The trail leads past green moors and
a small lagoon to the glacier tongue of San Francisco. Advanced
climbers can participate in a glacier tour to 3,883 m Mirador.
4)
Volcan Tinguiririca (4,280 m)
This volcano's
fame is based on a passenger plane crash in 1972. The dramatic tale
of the survivors who endured 70 days in the glaciated mountains
and even resorted to eating their dead was made into a gripping
Hollywood thriller titled "Alive!". It is easy to imagine
the drama unfolding in the wild scenery around the peak.
5)
Peteroa – Azufre Volcanoes
As for rugged
beauty, no other mountains in this area can match this group of
volcanoes east of Curicó. The route will spoil you with views
of Chile's second-largest glacier area. It goes past picturesque
Laguna Teno, up to the impressive craters of 2,603 m Peteroa volcano
and to the glaciated peak of Volcán Azufre (3,603 m).
6)
Volcan Descabezado Grande (3,830 m)
"The
Great Decapitated One" is a truly impressive specimen of its
kind. On April 10, 1932, in one powerful eruption, its side crater
Quizapu spread 25 cubic kilometers of volcanic matter all over creation.
The technically easy climb starting from Vilches/Altos de Lircay
and the extremely variable scenery make this a Dorado popular with
hikers and climbers alike.
7)
Enladrillado
Trek
The Enladrillado
trek starting from the Altos de Lircay Nature Reserve near Talca
makes anyone smile who is interested in UFO's. Most locals have
absolutely no doubt that the high plain is being used as a landing
strip by extraterrestrials. But it really doesn't take a belief
in galactic beings to become enthralled with the natural beauty
of the Andes on this tour.
8)
Longavi Trek
The
circumnavigation and ascent of 3,240 m Nevado de Longaví
no doubt deserves its place among the ten most beautiful tours in
Chile. Virgin forests and glaciers, a quiet camp on the bank of
Laguna Achibueno and stands of rare cypress trees south of the snowy
Toro Massif more than compensate for the exertion.
9)
Nevado de Chillan (3,212 m)
Do
not miss this tour if you are into wildly cracked lava landscapes
with glaciers, craters, and parasite cones. Over all this towers
the partially glaciated 3,212 m Nevado de Chillán. The icing
on the cake is the ascent via the glacier, which provides an ideal
practice terrain for iceclimbing novices.
10)
Volcan Antuco (2,985 m)
The
perfectly shaped sugarcone of the volcano Antuco juts up between
dark blue Laguna del Laja and glaciated Sierra Velluda. From the
top, you will have an interesting view of the moonscape created
by volcanic action. The quiet of Antuco is deceiving: The volcano
is not extinct; experts expect new eruptions of lava every 100 to
150 years.
"Adventure
Handbook Central Chile" may be ordered directly from the
publisher for USD 19.90 plus USD 4.00 for shipping.
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