Gorely Volcano, Kamchatka: Climb and Impressions Sep 2017

Gorely volcano, Kamchatka: climb and impressions Sep 2017

During our expedition to Kamchatka in Sep 2017, Gorely was one of the first volcanoes we visited. Thanks to the fact that it is a shield volcano, the climb to its summit is relatively easy, not very steep, but about 10 km to walk (2-3 hours). Views on the landscape along the way and into its various craters are stunning.

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Starting the trail to Gorely volcano (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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View back to Vilyuchik volcano and the road leading to Gorely (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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The landscape changes slowly as the trail passes vast aa lava flow fields (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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As one climbs, the views to the north towards Vilyuchik volcano become wider. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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The trail continues through lava fields, and is only moderately steep. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Vegetation becomes more and more sparse as we gain altitude and the ground is made of young lavas. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

Vegetation becomes more and more sparse as we gain altitude and the ground is made of young lavas. (... [info]
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After an hour or so, the summit complex is in front of us. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Sascha and Alina, our lovely driver/cook couple who care about our well-being during the expedition, take the opportunity for a leisurely quick stroll up to the crater. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

Sascha and Alina, our lovely driver/cook couple who care about our well-being during the expedition,... [info]
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View towards neighboring Mutnovsky volcano, our destination for the coming day. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer... [info]
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The views become better and better: Vilyuchik volcano and Koryaksky and Avachinsky volcanoes in the background. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

The views become better and better: Vilyuchik volcano and Koryaksky and Avachinsky volcanoes in the ... [info]
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View over Gorely's SE summit crater towards the SE, where the summit of neighboring Mutnovsky volcano is seen. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

View over Gorely's SE summit crater towards the SE, where the summit of neighboring Mutnovsky volcan... [info]
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The crater lake of the central summit crater of Gorely is partially frozen. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Steam from active fumarole vents inside the northwestern crater. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Ice covering parts of the central crater lake. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Some of the group is way ahead on the rim of the NW crater. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Another view of the central crater, which seems very calm and cold. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Patches of snow and ice on the inner crater walls. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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View back along the crater rim. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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View across the central crater of Gorely towards Mutnovsky in the background. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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The crater walls made of layers of scorias from lava fountains and lava flows. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Mist hovers over the NW crater with its turquoise lake. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Group on the crater rim. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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The NW crater of Gorely, site of the most recent episode of unrest at the volcano during 2013-14 when a vent next to the small acid lake was emitting a hot jet of incandescent gas (at 900 deg temperatures). Now, it is calm again, but for how long? (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

The NW crater of Gorely, site of the most recent episode of unrest at the volcano during 2013-14 whe... [info]
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Closer view of the crater lake with sulfur deposits at its shore. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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A very active field of fumaroles is located near the eastern shore of the lake. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer... [info]
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A group has arrived from Petropavlovsk by helicopter. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Wider view of the NW crater of Gorely. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Weather clears and the evening sunlight warms us on the crater rim. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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View towards Mutnovsky with its strong fumaroles. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Evening light shining on the reddish lava layers of the inner crater walls. It is time to descend! (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

Evening light shining on the reddish lava layers of the inner crater walls. It is time to descend! (... [info]
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Cinder cone on the eastern flank of Gorely. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Last sunlight falls on the top of Vilyuchik. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Moonrise over the mountain peaks of the southern plateau. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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The flat shield volcano of Gorely seem from Mutnovsky. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Breaking down camp in the caldera of Gorely. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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A large lava cave at the base of Gorely (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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Entering the lava cave, which once contained a mighty lava flow. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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A small glacier occupies parts of the 20 m wide tube. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
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A ladder is conveniently placed to descend from the tube's glacier into its deeper parts. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

A ladder is conveniently placed to descend from the tube's glacier into its deeper parts. (Photo: To... [info]
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Small lava stalactites from molten glassy material cover the walls of the cave. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer... [info]
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Gorely volcano, Kamchatka: climb and impressions Sep 2017

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