Vilyuchinsky volcano climbing. Volcano Vilyuchinsky Sopka (volcano Vilyuchinsky, Vilyuchik, Viliuchinsky Volcano). Vilyuchinsky in winter and summer

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Mutnovsky Volcano (Mutnovsky Sopka) is located 80 km from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. It is often called the "Small Valley of Geysers". A very beautiful road leads to Mutnovsky volcano. That's what I'm going to tell you about today.

A dirt road leads to the area of the volcano, the end point of which is Mutnovskaya geothermal power plant(Mutnovskaya GeoPP), which generates energy from the heat of the Earth. Along the way - Paratunka, on which we are already .

Looking from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, on the other side Avachinsky Gulf draws attention to a very beautiful volcano of the correct form -. But I had no idea that he would be so beautiful up close!

Clouds swirled around, which now and then closed its top.

Gradually, one of them transformed into something suspiciously resembling a UFO. However, it was the most that neither is an ordinary cloud. In the photo, in addition to a bizarre cloud, you can also see a waterfall falling from under the glacier.

Soon it disappeared, turning into such a whirlwind:

As it turned out later, such clouds often portend a storm. In the meantime, we drove on in our shift car. However, they did not have time to drive far, when they saw a family of bears - a she-bear with cubs, who were climbing a steep slope on the opposite side of the gorge.

Still, bears are interesting to watch when they are far away. Nose to nose with them would not want to face. However, I already wrote about this in a post.

A storm in the mountains, an overnight stay under snowfall and a clear morning

The weather began to deteriorate. At first the sky began to cover the clouds ...

And then a real storm began with a strong wind and snowfall (this is in August).

The time was already drawing to a close, and we began to look for a place to stay for the night. Finally, we found a fairly secluded valley, protected from the wind. Judging by the number of tents, it was very popular with tourists that night. It was difficult to pitch the tent, the wind was so strong. Fall asleep to the sound of wind and rain.

In the morning the sky cleared up. A cloud was quietly resting on the Vilyuchinsky volcano:

Waterfall near Mutnovsky volcano

Before going to Mutnovsky itself, we went to a nearby waterfall. Water rushed down from a great height, there was a terrible noise. Somewhere in the mist, a rainbow sparkled.

Ancient stones are overgrown with plants, showing the contrast between the temporal and the eternal (if the stones of Kamchatka can be called eternal).

After enjoying the breathtaking spectacle, we set off towards our goal - Mutnovsky volcano. The volcano itself consists of several cones combined into a single array and belongs to the shield type. Its height above sea level is 2323 m. Mutnovskaya Sopka erupted 16 times over the historical period of time, now another volcanic activity is observed there - fumaroles and hot springs.

Way to Mutnovsky volcano

A cloud hung over the volcano - it had just activated. My body reacted to the seismic activity with a severe headache.

Nearby is another volcano, no less interesting - Burnt.

Volcanic soils are overgrown with various plants. Small delicate rhododendrons attracted attention.

Snezhnik in the caldera of Gorely volcano

Our path lay through the Gorely caldera. Despite the warm weather, unmelted snow lay everywhere in thick layers - snowfields.

To overcome them for our car was a certain test.

While the driver valiantly overcame obstacles, I went to photograph the snowfield.

You can judge its power from this photo:

Zoya, snowfield and IFA

Volcanic black ash, coupled with the hot rays of the sun, created bizarre patterns on it.

In some places it hung over the ground like a cornice. Water dripped everywhere.

Snowfield and rocks

Soon we got out of the Gorely caldera, but there were still new obstacles ahead:

Volcano Vilyuchinsky (Kamchatsky Krai, not far from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky) rises above sea level by more than 2000 m. It has the shape of a regular cone and is visible from afar, which attracts many tourists. Most of them admire the volcano from the side, take walks at its foot and take pictures of magnificent views that are innumerable here. And only the most experienced skiers know how interesting Vilyuchinsky is for heli-skiing - one of the most extreme types of freeride that requires good preparation and untouched snow slopes. The top of the volcano cannot be reached by lifts, only on foot or by snowmobile, and even better - by helicopter. Heli-skiers unite in groups and rent a helicopter that drops them off at the starting point. For the descent, several of the most suitable slopes of the volcano and neighboring mountain ranges are used, the longest descent is about 6 km long. After skiing, skiers and snowboarders can go to the Upper Vilyuchinsky or Nizhne-Paratunsky thermal springs, where there are changing rooms and the opportunity to relax.

When to come

The slopes of Vilyuchinsky are covered with snow all year round. In summer, its quantity decreases, giving life to the Vilyuchinsky waterfall on the northwestern slope of the volcano. At the same time, it is in summer - in May-July - that it becomes easier to climb the slopes of the volcano on foot in order to ski or snowboard down from there. Tour groups get to the most resistant glaciers and snow-covered slopes, where you can ride a little right in shorts. The least snow in August, this month is not recommended for skiing. But in winter there is a place even for cross-country skiing. Since the volcano is located in the southern part of the Kamchatka Peninsula, you should not be afraid of severe frosts (in winter, the temperature rarely drops below -10 degrees Celsius), but heavy rainfall often falls, especially in the autumn months.

How to get there

Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky has air and sea links with many Russian cities. From it to the volcano in a straight line - about 25 km, in fact, you have to make a rather long journey, since Vilyuchinsky is located on the opposite edge of Avacha Bay from Petropavlovsk. Organized tourist groups deliver to it by bus and take it back in the same way. You will have to get on your own by car (best off-road vehicle), first - to the village of Termalny, then turn onto the highway to the Mutnovskaya geothermal thermal power plant, and then another 15 minutes along the path to the glacier, which has not melted all summer. You can get to Termalny (or neighboring Paratunka) by regular bus, but then you will have to change to a car, since public transport does not go to the volcano.

Where to settle

If the purpose of the trip is precisely Vilyuchinsky, then it is worth settling as close to it as possible. The best option would be the village of Paratunka - near it are open sources of therapeutic thermal waters (Nizhne-Paratunsky springs), on the basis of which a large balneological resort with several hotels and recreation centers has been created. If you are interested in a wider acquaintance with the south of Kamchatka, then it is better to stay in one of the hotels in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, where there are more opportunities for organizing various kinds of excursions.

The tragedy that occurred in April 2017 on the slope of the Vilyuchinsky volcano in Kamchatka riveted the attention of the public. An avalanche that claimed the lives of a man and a child makes us think about the safety of outdoor activities. So what is this volcano and how dangerous is it? About this - in our article.

Kamchatka - land of contrasts

The place where the Vilyuchinsky volcano is located is Kamchatka. The land of volcanoes (there are 160 of them) and glaciers (414), boiling springs and swift rivers with waterfalls and lakes. Kamchatka is a territory adjacent to the mainland and it is washed by cold stormy seas (Berinog and Okhotsk), and from the northeast its shore sinks into the waters of the Pacific Ocean. This is a favorite place for tourists, especially active and extreme ones. Here you can organize a tour with river rafting, boat trips and diving. Adventure and ecological tourism, hunting and fishing, skiing and mountaineering tourism are developed.

Kamchatka: Vilyuchinsky volcano

50 kilometers to the south-west in a straight line from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky rises above the Avacha Bay, the Vilyuchik volcano, surprisingly regular in shape, as it is called by the locals. In winter, the Vilyuchinsky volcano has a dazzling white cap and is an adornment of the panorama of the bay. It is a favorite destination for snowboarders and is suitable for skiing and snowmobiling. Its correct cone is clearly visible from the city. The height of the Vilyuchinsky volcano is 2175 meters above sea level. It is surrounded on three sides by the valleys of the Vilyucha, Paratunka and Bolshaya Sarannaya rivers.

Right volcano

The top of the Vilyuchinsky volcano has a cut on the north side, where a small crater is located. Deep and almost flat barrancos are almost completely filled with ice. In the past, fumaroles gave the lower part of the volcano a variegated appearance. Photos of the Vilyuchinsky volcano are striking in their beauty, which in 1996 was noted by UNESCO by being included in the list of World Natural and Cultural Heritage Sites in the Volcanoes of Kamchatka category.

Extinct Giant

Vilyuchinsky is considered an extinct stratovolcano, the eruption of which was 7 thousand years ago. And although today there is no seismic activity on it, gas and steam emissions have been repeatedly recorded at its top. Climbers who have been to the top talk about the smell of hydrogen sulfide. On the eastern slope of the volcano there are multiple hot springs, and in the lower part there is a waterfall of the same name with a height of about 40 meters. From the north of the foot - cones and domes of slag and lava. Among them are lava and Topolovoe, which are rich in fish and are interesting for anglers.

Tourist object

Vilyuchinsky Volcano is part of the park and is a popular place for recreation. Topolovoye and Zelenoe lakes at the foot and the developed infrastructure of the Termalnoye village make it possible to go skiing, snowboarding and snowmobiling. Ice fishing in winter and summer will please fans. And hot springs, which can be reached on foot, are considered one of the most optimal wild springs in terms of accessibility.

picturesque pass

Favorite walking route. The crossing of the Vilyuchinsky pass opens up magnificent views. Its height in some places reaches 1 kilometer above sea level. This winding road offers a view of the Mutnovsky plateau from the south side and the Vilyuchik volcano in the east. After the pass, tourists enter the valley, where the Vilyucha River and the Spokoyny stream flow into the Vilyuchinsky Bay.

Extreme Vilyuchik

Extreme freeride and backcountry attract tourists. There are no lifts, and getting to the top by helicopter or snowmobile only adds to the adrenaline experience. Climbing a volcano to a low height is possible even for beginners. The route runs along the path on the southwestern slope. Climbing becomes quite difficult when the steepness of the slope reaches 35 degrees and requires special training and reliable equipment. Several classified routes of difficulty categories from 1B to 2B lead to the top.

1981 mudflow

Typhoon Elsa, which brought down its power of heavy rains all over the world that year, also hit Kamchatka. Rain streams eroded the slope and formed powerful mudflows. The surrounding residents and residents of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky heard a rumble from the peaks. A storm warning has been issued. Then three climbers died, who were returning from the ascent to the volcano. Their car was simply carried away by the mudflow, as the only surviving participant said.

The tragedy of 2017

The volcano has always been avalanche prone. Relevant services conduct observations and warn tourists about the possibility of avalanches. That tragic avalanche of the Vilyuchinsky volcano, the photo and video of which was distributed by the media, occurred on April 9. At that moment, there were about 40 tourists on the slope, who saw how 2 people disappeared in the snow mass on the northern slope. The lack of communication delayed the search work. Witnesses had to get to the foot to call for help. 40 pieces of equipment and more than 100 rescuers took part in the rescue of the victims. The bodies of the father and child were found by the end of the day on April 10 at a depth of 8 meters, which did not give a chance for survival. According to the commission for the investigation of the accident, the avalanche on the northern slope of the Vilyuchinsky volcano could not have been provoked by the dead themselves, riding a snowmobile. They were fifth in the snowmobile column, and the four previous ones covered a rather narrow section of the route in the normal mode. There were no dead, and rescue work was carried out with probes over the entire area of \u200b\u200bthe avalanche. The avalanche was most likely caused by temperature fluctuations, because on that tragic day it was warm.

Avalanche zone

Every year, the Russian Emergencies Ministry for the Kamchatka Territory announces an avalanche danger in the mountainous areas of the Paratunka River basin, the Vilyuchinsky, Koryaksky, Avachinsky, Kozelsky and Klyuchevskaya volcanoes. Tourists, hunters, extreme sports enthusiasts are warned about the danger, and they are advised to refrain from hiking in the mountains. But invariably there are people who neglect the safety rules. So, in 2010, during the declared avalanche danger, a teenager died while snowboarding near the northern slope of the volcano. And in February 2017, two people fell under an avalanche - a German citizen and a Russian tourist. They were skiing as part of a group of 18 and were caught in a sudden avalanche. Unfortunately, the life of the 40-year-old German tourist could not be saved.

What to do during an avalanche

Going to the mountains to ski, especially in avalanche-prone areas, you must adhere to the following rules:

Do not go to the mountains if an avalanche danger is declared.
If the avalanche is high, use the opportunity to get out of its path.
If it is impossible to get away from the avalanche, take a horizontal position and orient your body in the direction of movement of the snow mass.
If you find yourself in an avalanche, cover your nose and mouth, and then swim to the edge of the avalanche. It is necessary to breathe shallowly.
Don't panic - they are looking for you!

And in conclusion, I would like to say the following. You can even fall out of the window, but the probability of such a fall increases many times over if you stand on a stool or window sill. Take care of your health and life, do not take unnecessary risks, follow the safety rules - and memories of your vacation will delight you for the rest of your life.

Vilyuchinskaya Sopka, located in Kamchatka, is located near the city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. The geological formation rises between the basins of the Vilyucha and Bolshaya Sarannaya rivers. Vilyuchinsky stratovolcano stands at the source of the river. Paratunka.

The hill belongs to the category of extinct. It is a conical formation of the correct shape. The absolute height of the Vilyuchinsky volcano is 2175 m.

Vilyuchinsky volcano is named after the bay of the same name. Until 1830, when the Russian explorers P. Ilyin and P. Skrypov named the bay Vilyuchinskaya, the area was called Niyakshin (Itelmen name). The best view from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky to Vilyuchinskaya Sopka opens from the city center, from the top of Nikolskaya Sopka.

Description

The western part of the top is truncated. It looks like a cluster of remnants, interspersed with snow layers and glaciers. Lava and pyroclastic flows represent a multicolored landscape. Perhaps this is due to the fumarolic action of the active volcanic phase.

The slopes of the Vilyuchinskaya Sopka are cut by radially directed barranoxes. Some of them start from the top, others - from the middle of the slope. The depressions of the upper cracks are filled with firn deposits and glacial layers.

The rock composition of the volcano is represented by pyroclastic deposits and andesite-basalts. The lower part is composed of olivine basalts, and further upwards rise andesitic rocks of various compositions. The eastern slope keeps traces of solfataras activity. To date, these sulfur fumaroles are not active, only visual evidence remains. There are hot springs in the southeast. Emissions of gas have been repeatedly observed at the top of the volcano. At the very foot of the cone is a waterfall.

Climbing Vilyuchinsky volcano

Vilyuchinskaya Sopka is not considered the most difficult to climb on the Kamchatka Peninsula. The most popular route for climbers has a difficulty category of 2A. The one-day route is suitable for all tourists in good physical condition without special skills (but it is desirable to have mountaineering training). Tourists must be healthy - without cardiovascular diseases and joint diseases. The ascent takes about 5 hours, the descent without stopping - 3.5 hours. The total length of the route is 12 km. The elevation difference is almost 2000 meters. Usually sightseeing tours from Kamchatka tour operators include a stop for swimming in the Verkhne-Paratunka springs.

The northwestern route (the most popular one) starts at the path to the Vilyuchinsky waterfall. Then the trail goes into a wooded area of alder elfin. Further, after the forest, you need to focus on the snowfield - with a slight climb you will reach the Vilyuchinsky waterfall along the snowfield. There are several sites above the Vilyuchinsky waterfall - if you are planning a trip with an overnight stay, then you can put up a tent here. Further, the path goes along the snowfield: if the snow is dense, then you can do without crampons. Above you will need crampons and trekking poles.

To complete the route, you will need special equipment and clothing: trekking shoes (broken), fixing the ankle; windproof windbreaker; Sunglasses; headdress; sunscreen; trekking poles; cats.

In winter, the slopes of the Vilyuchinsky volcano turn into freeride zones. The ascent to the slopes is carried out by helicopters, as well as by snowmobiles. The longest descent reaches a length of 6 km. The steepness of the slopes varies from 15 degrees to 35 degrees.

Panoramic view of the surroundings and the volcano from the observation platform on the Vilyuchinsky Pass

How to get to Vilyuchinsky volcano in Kamchatka

You can get to the foot of the Vilyuchinsky volcano by car. The asphalt road goes past the fork to the village of Termalny, then - a dirt road to the beginning of the trail. You can leave your car in a spontaneous parking at the beginning of the trail.

Tourists without a car need to take a bus to the village of Termalny and get off at the fork "Road to Mutnovka" (the stop is located a little earlier than the village of Termalny). After the stop, a dirt road begins, quite dusty in the summer. Therefore, it is better not to walk here, but to try to catch a ride. In summer, especially on weekends, quite a few cars pass here. Moreover, the path along the dirt road takes 28 km.

An alternative to hitchhiking is a taxi. You can order a taxi ride from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky to the foot of the Vilyuchinsky volcano through the Yandex.Taxi application or through local services by phone.

Video about Vilyuchinsky volcano

(Vilyuchinsky volcano , Vilyuchik , Viliuchinsky Volcano ) is located southwest of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, immediately after Avacha bay. The volcano is extinct, represented by a regular cone. Its top is cut to the west and looks like large remnants of rocks separated by accumulations of ice and firn. The lava and pyroclastics that make up the remnants are changed from the surface to a variegated appearance, possibly due to the impact of fumaroles in the recent past. The slopes of the volcano are cut by deep barrancos radially diverging from the top, and some of them originate from the middle of the slope. Upper cavities on the northwestern slope are filled with ice and firn. The volcano is composed of lava and pyroclastics of andesite-basalt composition. More acidic rock varieties are also noted at the base of the volcano, and hot springs are located in the southeastern part.

Southwest of Petropavlovsk, behind Avacha bay, the right cone rises Vilyuchinsky volcano . Dazzling white in winter or covered with alternating stripes of gray rocky ridges and white snowfields in summer, it is the main decoration of the panorama of the bay. On the northern near-apex slope of the cone there is a small depression of its destroyed crater. The strong indentation of the cone with deep barrancos indicates that lava eruptions have been occurring for a long time.

The volcano is considered extinct. However, eyewitnesses, including volcanologists ( A. N. Sirin. Bull. volcano st., No. 27), gas and steam emissions were repeatedly observed at its top, and climbers who climbed it in previous years from the ocean twice smelled sulfur dioxide. Perhaps the "funeral" of the volcano took place somewhat prematurely.

Vilyuchinsky volcano is not difficult to climb, and it is often climbed by people who do not have training. But, despite this, there were no casualties during ascents, as happened on other volcanoes in Kamchatka. However, on September 5, 1981, the misfortune did happen. The volcano itself was only an indirect cause, and the main one was a mudflow - a mud stream that descended from the western slope. This menacing manifestation of natural forces, frequent in other mountainous regions, was little known in Kamchatka, and no one suspected this danger.

A downpour of rare strength, brought by the strongest typhoon Elsa, which caused a lot of trouble in other places, fell on that day and on Vilyuchinsky volcano . The very first rain streams began to erode the slope of the volcano, liquefy loose scree, and a thick stream of water, sand, stones rushed down ... volcano. By some miracle, the surviving driver then said that he heard an incomprehensible rumble approaching, was thrown out of the car and somehow got ashore, and the car with passengers was hit and carried away by the stream. So, at the very beginning, the life of two girls and a young geologist was cut short ... A board with an inscription was attached to a huge block brought from the volcano by the same mudflow.