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

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

Vilyuchinsky volcano is called the bay of the same name. Until 1830, when Russian explorers P. Ilyin and P. Skrypov named the Vilyuchinskaya Bay, 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 summit is truncated. It looks like an accumulation of outliers, alternating with snow layers and glaciers. Lava and pyroclastic flows represent a variegated landscape. Perhaps this is due to the fumarole action of the active volcanic phase.

The slopes of 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, then andesite rocks of various compositions rise upward. The eastern slope contains traces of solfatar activity. To date, these sulfur fumaroles do not work, only visual evidence remains. There are hot springs in the southeast. At the top of the volcano, gas emissions were repeatedly observed. There is a waterfall at the very foot of the cone.

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 physically fit tourists without special skills (but it is advisable to have climbing training). Tourists should 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 vertical drop is almost 2000 meters. Usually excursion tours from Kamchatka tour operators include a stop for bathing the Verkhne-Paratunsky springs.

The northwestern route (the most popular) starts at the trail to the Vilyuchinsky waterfall. Further, the trail goes into a wooded area of \u200b\u200bdwarf alder. Further, after the forest, you need to focus on the snowfield - with a slight climb, you will walk along the snowfield to the Vilyuchinsky waterfall. There are several sites above the Vilyuchinsky waterfall - if you are planning a trip with an overnight stay, you can put up a tent here. Further, the path goes along the snowfield: if the snow is dense, then you can do without cats. Above will require crampons and trekking poles.

To complete the route, you will need special equipment and clothing: trekking shoes (worn out), fixing the ankle; windproof windbreaker; Sunglasses; headdress; sunscreens; trekking sticks; cats.

In winter, the slopes of the Vilyuchinsky volcano turn into areas for freeriding. Climbing the slopes is carried out by helicopters, as well as by snowmobiles. The longest slope is 6 km long. The steepness of the slopes varies from 15 degrees to 35 degrees.

Panoramic view of the surroundings and the volcano from the observation deck at the Vilyuchinsky pass

How to get to Vilyuchinsky volcano in Kamchatka

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

Tourists without a car need to take a bus to the Termalny village and get off at the “Road to Mutnovka” junction (the stop is located a little earlier than the Termalny village). After the stop, a dirt road begins, which is rather dusty in the summer. Therefore, it is better not to walk here, but to try to catch a ride. In summer, especially on weekends, a lot of 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

One of the closest to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, in good weather it is perfectly visible from many places in the city, located on the opposite side of Avacha Bay, southwest of the regional center. According to numerous sources, its height is 2175 meters. and its surroundings - very good, I would even say, in terms of the distance from the city / quality ratio - one of the best places for skiing, snowboarding and snowmobiling. The volcano itself and its foot, as well as the nearest hills and passes, are very well adapted for this.

There are long, wide and mostly straight gorges and gorges. One of the favorite places for snowmobilers, skiers and snowboarders. In relative proximity to the foot of the volcano there is a recreation center where you can spend the night in modern, comfortable and warm houses, there is a swimming pool with hot thermal water, a dining room, and you can also use various services, for example, book a snowmobile ride. Nearby are the Verkhne-Paratunsky hot springs, one of the most accessible wild springs, which look like hot puddles, where water gushes from the ground. They are located on the slope of a hill, which can be reached on foot in summer (walk about 15 minutes from the place where you can leave the car), and in winter and spring by snowmobile or cross-country skiing. The road from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky to Vilyuchinsky volcano passes through the village of Termalny, which can be reached by car in 40-50 minutes. Further, in the winter and spring seasons, as a rule, the road is under snow, you can order a snowmobile or special transport from the recreation center, which is located not far from the volcano, which has already been mentioned.

View of Lake Zelenoe from the northwest side.

Also in relative proximity is the mountain lake Topolovoe, snowmobiling to which, under ideal weather and snow conditions, from the foot of the volcano is 10-15 minutes. In this place, you can ride a snowmobile and visit the nearest passes, from which very beautiful views open up, as well as go fishing, in this case, ice fishing, since we are talking about winter and spring. By the way, if you come here in the middle or at the end of spring, you can also sunbathe. Although there is also a lot of snow, in clear weather the air temperature and the scorching mountain sun easily allow you to do this. In my opinion, the ideal time to visit this place is from April to early June.

As I said, this place has a huge scope for those who like to admire the scenery.

The next photo was taken one kilometer from the recreation center, which was mentioned at the beginning of the article. Photographing time - late May - early June.

And here is the Vilyuchinsky volcano in April 2016.

Thank you all for your attention. As you travel new, fresh photos from this place will be added, which will be discussed in the news of the site at the bottom of the main page.

We dress warmly. Although no one is going to climb the top of the volcano - let's leave this to the fearless and hardy tourists - a walk along the snowy slopes requires a jacket or a down vest. There are always a lot of cars going towards Vilyuchinsky, so the hitchhiking option works in most cases. As a spare - in case of total bad luck - we are warmed by the thought that we can easily get in the back of a tourist shift truck. Just get ready right away - it will be harsh to shake on the road. The asphalt was laid only up to the Termalny settlement, then - a dirt track. On the way, we come across camp sites. Here everyone swims in thermal springs. And we too could not resist. Natural pool, water with steam, smells specific, but you quickly get used to it. And most importantly - beauty is all around! After warm baths, you quietly admit to yourself that you still love this world. At the foot of the volcano, we quickly find a high picturesque waterfall. The photos are marvelous. It seems that the water begins to move from a rocky peak overgrown with azure greenery, and ends in a hollow covered with snow. On the slopes of the volcano, many camp, have a snack, and move on. It smells like flowers and grass. The air is intoxicating. Next door to us is a married couple who have already twice visited the top of Vilyuchinsky. But even the bewitching stories about the ocean view opening from the height of the volcano could not make us spend five hours on a difficult climb. I wanted to continue to sit on the grassy "cushion" of the slope and be content with the beauty of the volcanic plateau.

Vilyuchinsky Volcano (Vilyuchinskaya Sopka, Vilyuchik, Viliuchinsky Volcano) is considered extinct, but volcanologists noted vapor-gas emissions in the region of its summit.

The height of the volcano is 2175 meters above sea level. Vilyuchik's cone is unusually smooth, beautiful and, in its effect, can compete with the famous Japanese Fujiyama or the Italian Vesuvius. On the northern summit slope of the cone, there is a small depression of its destroyed crater. There are hot springs in the southeastern part of Vilyuchik.

The Vilyuchinsky slopes are cut by deep barrancos (furrows like ravines). Their presence indicates that the last eruptions took place, most likely, a very long time ago. According to some studies, the last eruption of the Vilyuchinsky volcano occurred more than 7 thousand years ago.

The steepness of the slopes of the volcano is 15-35 degrees.

To the north of Vilyuchik there are about 25 small cinder cones and lava domes. Among them are two lakes - Zelenoe and Topolevoe. They appeared as a result of the activity of these volcanoes. The lakes are declared natural monuments.

On September 5, 1981, after a heavy downpour brought by typhoon Elsa, a mud stream (mudflow) descended from the western slope. At that time, four people were returning from the volcano by car: three climbers and a driver. The chauffeur who miraculously escaped later said that he heard an incomprehensible hum approaching, was thrown out of the car and somehow got ashore, and the car with passengers was hit and carried away by the stream.

The volcano got its name from the Vilyuchinskaya bay. The Itelmens called this bay Niyakshin, but no one understood the meaning of this word. Therefore, in 1830 hydrographers P. Ilyin and P. Skrypov renamed the bay to Vilyuchinskaya.

Vilyuchik is partly located on the territory of the South Kamchatka Natural Park, which was inscribed in 1996 in the UNESCO World Natural and Cultural Heritage List in the nomination “Volcanoes of Kamchatka”.

Legends

Kamchadals consider volcanoes to be the dwellings of the dead and say that smoke can be seen over the peaks when the deceased are drowning their yurts. They feed, according to the natives, whale oil, and whales are caught in the underground sea. The same fat is used to provide light, and bones are used instead of firewood.

"Combustion" of volcanoes is considered not only by Kamchadals, but also by the Cossacks as an omen of bloodshed. The longer and harder it burns, the more blood is shed, they argue.

The Kamchadals call the mountain gods "kamuli" or "small souls" (the soul in Kamchadal is "kamulech"). These gods, according to the aborigines, are the enemies of man. They live on the highest, most strongly smoking and fire-breathing volcanoes, which is why the Kamchadals not only ascend them, but also do not dare to come close.

Important

Vilyuchinsky volcano is considered easy to climb, the ascent to the top is carried out along the south-western slope and takes 6-7 hours. Along the south-western and southern slopes, skiing and snowboarding down to the Vilyuchinsky pass is possible. Sometimes travel agencies, in addition to traditional ascents to the volcano, offer an ascent to the top by helicopter. Routes to the Vilyuchik region are organized both in summer and winter.

From March to May, fans of winter sports are offered a helicopter-ski-snowboard route, which includes skiing from Vilyuchik.

At the foot of the Vilyuchinsky volcano, on the south side, there is a small valley in which the Verkhne-Vilyuchinsky thermal springs are located. There is a mountaineering base and a camp for overnight rest.

Local features

The climate in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and its environs is maritime and humid. Winter is mild, but very long - it lasts more than six months. Average temperature in winter is -10 ...- 15 ° C, in summer + 20 ° C. The warmest month is August.

Best vantage points and photos / videos

Dazzling white in winter and striped (gray rocks alternate with white snowfields) in summer, the volcano is the main decoration of the bay panorama. Like the "home" volcanoes of Petropavlovsk (Koryaksky, Avachinsky, Kozelsky), Vilyuchinsky is clearly visible from the city.

From the top of Vilyuchinsky, a breathtaking view of Avacha Bay and the Pacific Ocean opens. The waterfall at the foot of the volcano is also very picturesque.

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

Kamchatka is a land of contrasts

The place where the Vilyuchinsky volcano is located is Kamchatka. The land of volcanoes (there are 160 of them here) and glaciers (414), boiling springs and rushing rivers with waterfalls and lakes. Kamchatka is a territory adjacent to the mainland and it is washed by cold stormy seas (Berinogov and Okhotsk), and from the north-east its coast sinks in 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, ski and mountaineering tourism are developed.

Kamchatka: Vilyuchinsky volcano

50 kilometers to the south-west in a straight line from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, the Vilyuchik volcano, as the locals call it, rises above Avachinskaya Bay. In winter, Vilyuchinsky volcano has a dazzling white cap and is an adornment of the panorama of the bay. It is a favorite holiday destination for snowboarders and is suitable for downhill skiing and snowmobiling. Its regular 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.

Correct volcano

The top of the Vilyuchinsky volcano has a cut from the northern side, where a small crater is located. The deep and almost even 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 marked by UNESCO as a World Natural and Cultural Heritage Site in the category "Volcanoes of Kamchatka".

Extinct giant

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

Tourist object

Vilyuchinsky volcano is a part of the park and is a popular vacation spot. Topolovoye and Zelenoe lakes at the foot and the developed infrastructure of the Termalny village make it possible to go skiing, snowboarding and snowmobiling. Ice fishing in winter and summer fishing will delight amateurs. 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 Mutnovskoe plateau from the south and the Vilyuchik volcano in the east. After the pass, tourists find themselves in a valley where the Vilyucha River and the Spokoiny stream flow into the Vilyuchinskaya Bay.

Extreme Vilyuchik

Extreme freeride and backcountry activities attract tourists. There are no lifts here, and getting to the top by helicopter or snowmobile only adds to the adrenaline thrill. Climbing the volcano to a low altitude is possible even for beginners. The route follows a trail on the southwest slope. The ascent becomes quite difficult when the steepness of the slope reaches 35 degrees and requires special preparation and reliable equipment. Several classified routes of difficulty categories from 1B to 2B lead to the top.

Selle 1981

Typhoon Elsa, which that year brought down its power of torrential rains all over the world, caught Kamchatka as well. Rain streams washed away the slope and formed powerful mudflows. Neighboring residents and residents of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky heard the rumble from the peaks. A storm warning was announced. Then died in three climbers who were returning from the ascent to the volcano. Their car was simply carried away by a mudflow, as the only surviving participant said.

Tragedy of 2017

The volcano has always been avalanche-prone. The relevant services monitor and warn tourists about the possibility of avalanches. The tragic avalanche of Vilyuchinsky volcano, photo and video of which was spread by the media, occurred on April 9. At that moment, there were about 40 tourists on the slope, who saw 2 people disappear in the snow mass on the northern slope. The lack of communication delayed the search work. The 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 of survival. According to the commission for the investigation of the accident, the avalanche on the northern slope of the Vilyuchinsky volcano could not be provoked by the victims themselves, riding a snowmobile. They were the fifth in the snowmobile column, and the four previous ones covered a rather narrow section of the route in normal mode. There were no victims and rescue operations were carried out with probes throughout the avalanche area. The avalanche was most likely caused by temperature changes, because it was warm on that tragic day.

Avalanche zone

Every year, the EMERCOM of Russia in the Kamchatka Territory declares an avalanche hazard in the mountainous areas of the Paratunka River basin, the Vilyuchinsky, Koryaksky, Avachinsky, Kozelsky and Klyuchevskoy volcanoes. Tourists, hunters, and extreme sports enthusiasts are warned of the danger and are advised to refrain from hiking in the mountains. But there are invariably people who neglect safety rules. So, in 2010, during the period of the declared avalanche danger, in the area of \u200b\u200bthe northern slope of the volcano, a teenager died while snowboarding. And in February 2017, two people were hit by an avalanche - a German citizen and a Russian tourist. They were skiing in a group of 18 and were caught in an avalanche. Unfortunately, the life of the 40-year-old German tourist could not be saved.

What to do in the event of an avalanche

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

• You should not go to the mountains if an avalanche hazard is declared.
• If the avalanche descends high, use the opportunity to get out of the route.
• If it is impossible to get away from the avalanche, take a horizontal position and orient the body in the direction of movement of the snow mass.
• If you find yourself in an avalanche, close your nose and mouth, and then swim to the edge of the avalanche with swimming movements. You need 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 likelihood of such a fall increases many times if you stand on a stool or windowsill. Take care of your health and life, do not take unnecessary risks, observe safety rules - and the memories of your vacation will delight you for the rest of your life.

Vilyuchinsky volcano in Kamchatka, or in another way Vilyuchinsky volcano is located in the southwest direction from the capital of the region - Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. It stands on the watershed of such rivers as Vilyucha and Bolshaya Sarannaya, at the headwaters of the Paratunka River. It belongs to the southern group, along with Mutnovsky and Gorely. It is one of the most interesting routes among travelers.

The giant got its name from the bay of the same name, which the Itelmens used to call Niyakshin. The bay got its modern name in 1830, thanks to the local geographers P. Ilyin and P. Skrypov. At the moment it belongs to extinct. Its appearance is represented by a cone, the upper point of which is located at an altitude of 2175 m.

In winter, the volcano is dazzling white, and in summer you can see the alternation of gray rocky edges and non-melting white snowfields. Its northern slope, located near the summit, indicates the presence of a small depression, which is a crater destroyed more than 7,000 years ago. The slopes of the giant are heavily indented by barrancos, which indicates the remains of lava flows that occurred during the times when it was active.

Some of the researchers of the Vilyuchinsky volcano in Kamchatka managed to capture gas and vapor emissions at the top. Brave climbers who once visited those places talk about the smell of sulfur dioxide.

Climbing to the top

The Vilyuchinsky volcano itself is not difficult to climb up to a certain height. Travelers' route, as a rule, runs along the south-western slope, along the trail. On the way, you will meet thickets of dwarf cedar, mountain streams and a waterfall. The ascent to the top is only possible for people with mountaineering skills.

To the north of the volcano, one can observe cinder cones and lava domes, the number of which reaches 25. Among them, on the branched slopes, you can find Lake Zelenoe, located on the north-western side, and in 15 minutes by snowmobile you can reach Lake Topolovoye. Beautiful panoramas open up here, and there is an excellent opportunity for ice fishing.

Vilyuchinsky pass

On the western side of the volcano is the Vilyuchinsky Pass, whose height at some points reaches 1 km above sea level. It is a winding mountain road. The southern side offers a view of the Mutnovskoe plateau and Gorely volcano, while the eastern side of the Vilyuchinsky volcano.

In the southeastern side of the hill, at an altitude of 300 m, there is a small valley. On three sides it is surrounded by giants and hidden from prying eyes. Here, the waters of the Spokoiny Stream and the Vilyuchi River flow out into the Vilyuchinskaya Bay. There is an outlet for thermal springs. The Rodnikovaya base is located right in this valley, in the number of several houses. The road to the base is not always asphalt and has steep slopes, and in some places it runs along the edge of the gorge. In this regard, we recommend that you go to Vilyuchinskaya Sopka with experienced guides and drivers.

Vilyuchinsky in winter and summer

The slopes of Vilyuchinsky volcano are suitable not only for hiking and mountaineering, but have long been chosen for freeriding. The hill is a favorite place for extreme lovers. The ascent is carried out by helicopter or snowmobile. There are several slopes suitable for this sport. The longest slope is 6 km long, and the steepness of the elephants ranges from 15 to 35 degrees.

1981 tragedy

Typhoon Elsa was the most powerful catalyst for heavy rains in Kamchatka in 1981. This kind of showers were in these places only once. They did not bypass the Vilyuchinsky volcano.

The rain stream rushing along the slopes of the volcano began to erode them. The talus liquefied and this contributed to the formation of a dense stream of water, sand and stones. At that moment, when the mudflow was descending along the bed of a small rivulet, on its way a car met three climbers returning from a volcano. Only the chauffeur was saved, who later said that he had heard the rumble coming from the top. Miraculously, he managed to get out of the car and stay away from the mud stream, while the car with the passengers was carried away by a mudflow.

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