The Puntiagudo Volcano

Por: Huillca Expedition

The Puntiagudo Volcano is located in the Andes Mountains, in the Los Lagos Region, Chile. Specifically, it is located on the border of the communes of Puerto Varas and Puerto Octay, about 30 km northeast of the Osorno volcano.

Volcán Puntiagudo, foto: Huella Andina Expeditions

How to Get to Puntiagudo Volcano

Puntiagudo Volcano is located in the Los Lagos Region of Chile. To get there, you can follow these general steps:

Travel to Puerto Varas or Ensenada:

• By Plane: If you are coming from a distant city, you can fly to El Tepual Airport in Puerto Montt. From there, you can take a taxi, bus, or rent a car to reach Puerto Varas (20 km north of Puerto Montt) or Ensenada (44 km east of Puerto Varas).
• By Bus: Buses are available from various cities in Chile to Puerto Varas.

From Puerto Varas/Ensenada to Petrohué:

From Puerto Varas, you can take Route 225 east, passing through Ensenada, until you reach Petrohué on the shore of Lake Todos los Santos. This journey is approximately 60 km and takes about an hour and a half by car.

Navigation on Lake Todos los Santos:

From Petrohué, you can take a boat that crosses Lake Todos los Santos to the town of Peulla. This boat trip lasts about 1.5 hours and offers spectacular views of Osorno Volcano and Puntiagudo Volcano.

Excursion on Foot or by Horse:

From Peulla, you can organize a hiking or horseback excursion to get closer to Puntiagudo Volcano. Routes can vary in difficulty and duration, so it is advisable to get well-informed before starting the hike. You can also hire a local guide to ensure you take the best route and enjoy a safe experience.

It is important to bring appropriate equipment, as the region can have changing weather and the terrain can be challenging. Additionally, it is always a good idea to inform someone about your plans and estimated return times.

History

• Names: Puntiagudo Volcano was known by the indigenous people as Vanhuenmedi or Vanguenma (Fray Menéndez, 1791), Dequiñcheu by the Huilliches, and Tripaicura by the Mapuches.
• First Ascent: The first ascent of the volcano was made in 1937 by the Swiss Hermann Hess and the Chilean Rodolfo Roth, who entered via Lake Todos los Santos. Unfortunately, Roth died during the descent.
• Subsequent Ascents: In 1945, Ernst Hoffmann, Jorge Köster, and Werner Hohf made a new ascent from the west side. The first solo ascent was achieved by Hans Blindhuber in 1947, and the first female ascent by Dorly Marmillod and Musi Koch de Soini in 1949.

Climbing

Puntiagudo Volcano is considered one of the most challenging summits in the Los Lagos Region.

• Difficulty: The ascent route presents difficulties due to the presence of rock, snow, and ice.
• Notable Ascents: In 2019, Rodrigo Obreque Parada became the youngest person to reach the summit of the volcano at 29 years old. In 2022, three Chilean soldiers attempted to climb the volcano, but two of them died due to adverse weather conditions.