Volcán concepción

I talked and asked about 11 people about hiking. Always their first questions were "solo?" or "tiene gia?"

I tell them yes solo, no gia. They always strongly advised not to. Some simply say "no" "no se puede"
"muy peligroso"

It was true about it being a not an easy hike. For being in a good enough condition to run a marathon and have hiked several mountain in WA, USA. I thought these people were just cautious and they didn't seem to hike that much. They just told me stories about some tourist dying.



Truth that I have experienced is this:
People say, 8 hours to go and come back. I made it in 6 hours.

People said there are no mark, so need a guide. Not true there are red marks. However certain area is not very visible as if they forgot to put one or two. I missed two and the guide had to call me who was trailing behind me.

Yes. For those who don't exercise often and have visible chunks of fat in their belly definitely need a guide.

I think it's depends on season too. It's middle of march. Past four days there has been cloud over the peak everyday, cloud moving fast visibly fr the bottom. Yes last twenty min to the peak, wind was gushing faster and faster. Last 70 Meter to the top, wind was pushing me very hard from behind that I could hike faster, however last 30 meter I literally had to crawl because rainy, moisture wind was so strong that I felt like I could fly in the air and fall into the crater, I could feel the ground warm. Did not see smoke or fire in the crater, I couldn't dare stick my head over the edge, afraid that wind was gonna throw me over the edge, last 10 Meter was very very extreme, never felt wind so strong in my life.

Coming down is more dangerous. Yes definitely advised to go with someone because of this. Many sharp rocks every where, wet muddy ground at the top for about forty min before the top.

Only well experienced hiker should be able to go alone. I think Ilan can having hiked in Patagonia as high as 20,000 feet.

I couldn't dare take pictures or video at the top because wind was moisture that I was afraid it would damage my phone.

It was the hardest mountain I climbed.

Day later locals tell me that my guide likes to steal and he is dangerous. Having interacted with him for two days that I knew he is not a nice person but I was able to control hhim well. I let him get away with taking my laundry soap. But he was cheap for a guide.