Colonel Forbin's Ascent

Welp, it was a very busy weekend. I spent saturday hiking a volcano and kept busy sunday doing yard work at my host family's house in the countryside. All in all it was a very good weekend. 

The National Park Agency in Chile mandates that all amature and recreational alpinists need a guide to hike the Volcano Villarrica. So i ended up hiring Sol & Nieve to drag my wearyshitass up the mountain. But in all seriousness, it was a completely awesome, nontechnical, five hour slog up to the top of volcano with unparalleled views of the country below. In addition to a stunning view of Pucon, i was able to see the Sierra Nevada mountain range, three lakes, and six other volcanoes. The view alone was the worth the price of the guide service. And if i didn't have to pay someone to take me there again, i'd do it in a heart beat. Because of the vast amount of spring snow still on the mountain and cloudless sky, i think i filled up my monthly quota of vitamin D in a day! Even with all my sunscreen, SPF 50 mind you, the sun completely kicked my butt and left me more exhausted than i have been in a very long time. 

The following day and after a very recuperative 11 hours of sleep, i went with my host parents to their cabin in the countryside. and did yardwork! I got to check on the bees, split wood, have a slash fire, prune trees, and wrangle some cattle. It was awesome. 

A goat and a monkey, a mule and a flee. I'm moving to the country. Baby, won't you come with me?