This morning the alarm went off at 6.00am and we opened the curtains to find clear skies. We quickly got ready and grabbed a sip of coffee before the bus arrived at 6.55am. We were taken back to the Aguaventura shop where we loaded our rucksacks and kitted up with boots etc. We headed towards Villarrica Volcano, making a brief stop en-route for provisions. After cereal bars and bananas for breakfast we arrived at the base of the volcano around 8.30am. Once we were all sorted we set off with our 3 guides onto the first section, which usually you can miss out by using a chair lift, unfortunately this was out of order! We trekked quite steeply, amongst the rocks, to our first rest stop - it took around an hour to get there and we were already hungry, so after plenty of water, biscuits and fruit we set off on t he next leg. It was quite similar terrain to the first section and a (very) slightly easier hill to climb. After a couple more breaks and lots of photo stops, it was time to don the crampons, gloves and helmets and get the ice picks out ready for the snow - a fresh layer apparently had appeared overnight. We steeply climbed the snow, splitting the trek into 3 main sections, the last one being almost vertical in places and the most physically and mentally challenging thing we have ever had to do. We had quite a long break at the top of the snow to replenish our energy supplies and recover, although after a few minutes resting and looking at the spectacular view of the lake district, you soon forgot the pain of the previous section. The hour long summit climb was at a slower pace but increasingly tough due to the loose rocks and steepness, not only did you have to watch your balance but you had to dodge falling rocks quite often too!

Finally at 1.55pm we made it to the summit - what a rewarding feeling! The views were stunning and the volcano crater was rumbling and releasing clouds of sulphur smoke - luckily it was blowing away from us. We spent an hour exploring the crater and resting - thinking we had seen lava then realising it was just bright red rock! At 3.00pm we started our descent. The first hour and a half over the rock was incredibly scary - literally feeling like you could fall off the edge of a mountain! Once we hit the snow the fun started and we put on our 'nappies' over our trousers and slid - toboggan style - down the hills, if only it was that easy going up! The last section of snow was cut deep into the ice - like a bobsleigh run - so much fun! Once on the last part of the descent the rocks were so soft that you bounced down the mountain. We made it to the bottom, relieved, at 5.30pm-ish. Our feet and joints were killing!

Back at the shop we unloaded our bags before rushing back to the hostel and onto the bus, heading towards Valdivia. We slept for the 2 hour journey arriving around 8.30pm. We had a gorgeous private twin room with en-suite and cable tv! Exhausted, we chilled out in the room watching rubbish US TV!