Kamchatka volcano tour Sep 2017 - tour diary
During 3-18 Sep 2017, Tom and 10 participants went on our first pilot tour to Kamchatka. Overall, the tour was fantastic!
Highlights included a 3 days stay at remote Karymsky volcano, exceptionally good weather conditions for Gorely, Mutnovsky, Uzon and Valley of Geysers, Klyuchevskoy volcano, a large explosion from Sheveluch, great company and lots of fun! The following is a quick first impression of the tour in pictures sorted chronologically.
Highlights included a 3 days stay at remote Karymsky volcano, exceptionally good weather conditions for Gorely, Mutnovsky, Uzon and Valley of Geysers, Klyuchevskoy volcano, a large explosion from Sheveluch, great company and lots of fun! The following is a quick first impression of the tour in pictures sorted chronologically.

2 Sep 2017: The longest domestic flight in the world, Moscow-Petropavlowsk (7-8 hours), is almost ov... [info]
(1325 Hits)
(1325 Hits)

Koryaksky's neighbor volcano, Avachinsky follows a few moments later to the left. (Photo: Tom Pfeiff... [info]
(1109 Hits)
(1109 Hits)

After the plane turned 180 deg into the western landing approach path, another volcano comes into th... [info]
(1125 Hits)
(1125 Hits)

The flatlands of the Avacha river delta with the southern plateau. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(749 Hits)
(749 Hits)

Arrived! People leave the small luggage delivery room of the airport and are greeted by unusually go... [info]
(946 Hits)
(946 Hits)

View of my simple, but comfortable hotel room. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(822 Hits)
(822 Hits)

3 Sep: the group has all gathered and we decide to leave already today to Karymsky as a small Pacifi... [info]
(901 Hits)
(901 Hits)

After a short drive, we change our transportation vehicle... (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(858 Hits)
(858 Hits)

The Russian helicopter inside is surprisingly spacious. We have everything we need and more for 3 da... [info]
(970 Hits)
(970 Hits)

View of some tundra-covered low mountains during the flight towards ... (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(919 Hits)
(919 Hits)

Karymsky volcano! (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(923 Hits)
(923 Hits)

The helicopter keeps the engine running while we unload everything to return as soon as possible, be... [info]
(1625 Hits)
(1625 Hits)

Beautiful dark red wild flowers grow on the fields with steaming Karymsky volcano behind. (Photo: To... [info]
(1378 Hits)
(1378 Hits)

Volcanologist Dimitris from the Volcanological Institute has come with us to take spectroscopic gas ... [info]
(1061 Hits)
(1061 Hits)

Volcanologist Alexei Ozerov from the Institute also has joined us and is giving a lecture about Kamc... [info]
(1121 Hits)
(1121 Hits)

Dinner in the hut: (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(1047 Hits)
(1047 Hits)

5 Sep: after the announced cyclon which brought heavy winds and constant rain from the evening of 3 ... [info]
(993 Hits)
(993 Hits)

Ronny examines a rather fresh bear's footprint on the ash plain. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(954 Hits)
(954 Hits)

We take a hike (about 6 km one way) through the caldera towards the crater lake of Akademia Nauk. (P... [info]
(969 Hits)
(969 Hits)

The crater lake of Akademia Nauk from the southern shore. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(864 Hits)
(864 Hits)

Our superb team's core are our guide Andrey and the cook Alena. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(896 Hits)
(896 Hits)

Karymsky during the night: although it had intermittent explosions during the months before, the vol... [info]
(944 Hits)
(944 Hits)

6 Sep: nevertheless, we had a fantastic time in this unique and remote place. Group photo. (Photo: T... [info]
(945 Hits)
(945 Hits)

The gas plume from the volcano is more or less drifting over us today as dry high-pressure weather h... [info]
(899 Hits)
(899 Hits)

3 days have passed quickly: it's time to pack luggage, clean the hut and prepare for our departure. ... [info]
(784 Hits)
(784 Hits)

Back in the helicopter, we have spectacular aerial views today: this is the crater lake of Akademia ... [info]
(822 Hits)
(822 Hits)

On our request, the helicopter pilots agree to fly a round over Karymsky's steep and deep crater. (P... [info]
(991 Hits)
(991 Hits)

The summit cone of Karymsky with parts of the Karymsky caldera walls behind. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(1490 Hits)
(1490 Hits)

We pass snow-covered Zhupanovsky volcano as we fly southwards. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(991 Hits)
(991 Hits)

Foothills of Zhupanovsky massiv. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(857 Hits)
(857 Hits)

Tundra and rocky mountain tops. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(695 Hits)
(695 Hits)

We approach the chain of Avachinsky and Koryaksky volcanoes. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(723 Hits)
(723 Hits)

Koryaksky looming over the plain, seen shortly before landing again at the heliport near Elizovo tow... [info]
(667 Hits)
(667 Hits)

Kamchatka's famous stone birch trees. Their wood is unusually strong and hard, which explains their ... [info]
(647 Hits)
(647 Hits)

7 Nov: we're inside our truck on our way to the southern plateau. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(763 Hits)
(763 Hits)

View from a bridge over a river. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(670 Hits)
(670 Hits)

The weather could not be better for landscape photography. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(678 Hits)
(678 Hits)

Campsite in the caldera of Gorely volcano. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(644 Hits)
(644 Hits)

Vilyuchik volcano is always visible behind as we decide to climb Gorely in the afternoon. (Photo: To... [info]
(992 Hits)
(992 Hits)

The trail over old lava flow fields of Gorely is easy to walk, gently climbing for about 8 km and 80... [info]
(665 Hits)
(665 Hits)

Stefan on the last, a bit steeper part of the trail below the summit. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(628 Hits)
(628 Hits)

View over Gorely's SE summit crater towards the SE, where the summit of neighboring Mutnovsky volcan... [info]
(1085 Hits)
(1085 Hits)

The crater lake of the central summit crater of Gorely is partially frozen. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(1170 Hits)
(1170 Hits)

Lava layers from effusive and explosive eruptions of Gorely's crater. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(645 Hits)
(645 Hits)

Wider view of the NW crater of Gorely. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(883 Hits)
(883 Hits)

Last sunlight paints the inner crater walls with red light. Note the silhouettes of some hikers for ... [info]
(842 Hits)
(842 Hits)

A cinder cone on Gorely's NE flank. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(833 Hits)
(833 Hits)

A brilliant orange moonrise over the eastern horizon's mountain peaks. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(595 Hits)
(595 Hits)

The trail is mostly over glacial moraine and debris avalanche ground through the large valley that b... [info]
(592 Hits)
(592 Hits)

After some time walking, we realize that we are actually on the glacier. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(538 Hits)
(538 Hits)

Zoom onto the meltwater flow at the bottom of the glacier. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(572 Hits)
(572 Hits)

As we are close to the central crater area, Markus takes pictures from a viewpoint. (Photo: Tom Pfei... [info]
(553 Hits)
(553 Hits)

Beautiful parallel volcanic dykes cutting the altered tuff and lava layers of the crater walls. (Pho... [info]
(534 Hits)
(534 Hits)

Thanks to intense hydrothermal activity, much of the exposed rocks from the crater walls and the gro... [info]
(634 Hits)
(634 Hits)

View of a strong fumarole in the crater wall beneath the massive glacier occupying the southern part... [info]
(563 Hits)
(563 Hits)

Altered volcanic rocks (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(550 Hits)
(550 Hits)

Gas escaping from a sulfur-covered fumarole. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(526 Hits)
(526 Hits)

Abstract shapes and lines from fine-grained mud deposits near a fumarole. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(530 Hits)
(530 Hits)

Hot mud ponds are found in many spots in the alien crater area of Mutnovsky. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(542 Hits)
(542 Hits)

On our way to the southwestern crater we have to pass a tongue of ice from the crater glacier. (Pho... [info]
(561 Hits)
(561 Hits)

Almost reaching the SW end of the crater. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(502 Hits)
(502 Hits)

The site of the last eruption in 2000 is now only a shallow depression occupied by ice. (Photo: Tom ... [info]
(518 Hits)
(518 Hits)

Ropes help ascending the wall between the central and SW crater. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(602 Hits)
(602 Hits)

Wide-angle view into the SW crater with the strongest fumarole emitting a dense steam plume. (Photo:... [info]
(507 Hits)
(507 Hits)

Steam vents. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(463 Hits)
(463 Hits)

Gray-bluish hot pool (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(553 Hits)
(553 Hits)

Small pond reflecting a fumarole's steam plume. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(466 Hits)
(466 Hits)

A vigorously boiling mud pool. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(472 Hits)
(472 Hits)

Elemental sulfur deposits form by sublimation around a fumarole. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(589 Hits)
(589 Hits)

View of dykes cutting the altered volcanic layers of the crater walls. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(455 Hits)
(455 Hits)

Zoom onto ice layers of the glacier's tongue filling the NW valley. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(450 Hits)
(450 Hits)

View over Gorely shield volcano in the evening light. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(466 Hits)
(466 Hits)

Eroded old volcanic dyke in the foothills of Mutnovsky. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(451 Hits)
(451 Hits)

9 Sep: before returning to Elizovo, we explore a lava tube from Gorely volcano. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer... [info]
(486 Hits)
(486 Hits)

A small glacier occupies parts of the 20 m wide tube. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(775 Hits)
(775 Hits)

A ladder is conveniently placed to descend from the tube's glacier into its deeper parts. (Photo: To... [info]
(657 Hits)
(657 Hits)

10 Sep: the exceptionally good weather from the past days is gone, but today is only a long transfer... [info]
(495 Hits)
(495 Hits)

Local delicacies on offer inside one of the many small shops. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(480 Hits)
(480 Hits)

Rusted waste somewhere along the long road to Kozyrevsk. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(465 Hits)
(465 Hits)

In Milkovo town, about half way, we briefly stop at Elena's (our cook's) parents' home to stock up o... [info]
(497 Hits)
(497 Hits)

A small fountain near the center of the town waits for visitors. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(421 Hits)
(421 Hits)

Textures and colors are amazing. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(417 Hits)
(417 Hits)

Rust and faded wall posts. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(426 Hits)
(426 Hits)

Green wood (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(404 Hits)
(404 Hits)

The second part of the long transfer suddenly becomes much more fun when a bottle of Vodka appears f... [info]
(472 Hits)
(472 Hits)

The long gravel road towards the north, though seemingly endless forests. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(451 Hits)
(451 Hits)

View of my cozy cabin of the guesthouse. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(460 Hits)
(460 Hits)

Finally, we've arrived in the guesthouse in the Siberian village of Kozyrevsk. It is very comfortabl... [info]
(467 Hits)
(467 Hits)

Red and yellow colors mix with various shades of green. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(445 Hits)
(445 Hits)

The drive takes about 2 hours through beautiful autumn-colored forest. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(433 Hits)
(433 Hits)

After the forest, we reach the tundra - glowing red and yellow. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(401 Hits)
(401 Hits)

Karl is excited about the colors and takes picture after picture. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(450 Hits)
(450 Hits)

The tundra at this time of year is full of berries (cranberries and blueberries)... (Photo: Tom Pfei... [info]
(415 Hits)
(415 Hits)

Unfortunately, the weather stays foggy. But our moods are lit up by a campfire and more... (Photo: T... [info]
(420 Hits)
(420 Hits)

The massive northern flank of Tolbachik volcano briefly comes into sight from our position at Stolik... [info]
(433 Hits)
(433 Hits)

12 Sep: as the weather forecast is promising an improvement, we directly go to Sheveluch volcano, ap... [info]
(395 Hits)
(395 Hits)

Campfire at night while waiting for clear skies. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(473 Hits)
(473 Hits)

13 Sep: A large explosion occurrs in the morning, producing a towering ash column that rises 7-8 km ... [info]
(523 Hits)
(523 Hits)

View towards the summit of Sheveluch and its lava dome, both remaining hidden in clouds, unfortunate... [info]
(479 Hits)
(479 Hits)

View of the southern rims of the older Sheveluch volcano's collapse crater. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(436 Hits)
(436 Hits)

New life grows on the devastation area. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(426 Hits)
(426 Hits)

On our way to Klyuchevskoy volcano we stop in Klyuchi village. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(428 Hits)
(428 Hits)

Colorful decoration of a street light. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(407 Hits)
(407 Hits)

Evening view of majestic Klyuchevskoy volcano: rising to more than 4800 m elevation from almost sea ... [info]
(490 Hits)
(490 Hits)

14 Sep: morning view of snow-covered Klyuchevskoy volcano. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(440 Hits)
(440 Hits)

Some put their tents on the ridge formed by an old, large eruptive fissure. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(419 Hits)
(419 Hits)

View back towards Sheveluch volcano emitting a steam plume. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(431 Hits)
(431 Hits)

We have hiked about 2 hours to reach the "Konus D" cinder cone on the NE flank, where volcanologists... [info]
(435 Hits)
(435 Hits)

15 Sep: Winter greeting: over night, a snow front passed, letting temperatures drop to minus 5-10, c... [info]
(420 Hits)
(420 Hits)

Now, the snow also covered the cones we climbed yesterday. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(388 Hits)
(388 Hits)

Back to our comfortable guesthouse in Kozyrevsk village. Karl finds a new friend. (Photo: Tom Pfeif... [info]
(441 Hits)
(441 Hits)

Moment of peace and happiness. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(426 Hits)
(426 Hits)

16 Sep: transfer day. In the afternoon, we get a brief view of Bakening volcano during our drive bac... [info]
(484 Hits)
(484 Hits)

Evening view of Koryaksky volcano. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(389 Hits)
(389 Hits)

17 Sep: helicopter excursion to Uzon caldera and Valley of Geysers. On our way, we pass erupting Zhu... [info]
(565 Hits)
(565 Hits)

View of the beautiful tundra below. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(370 Hits)
(370 Hits)

An announcement by the flight attendant: we are about to reach and overfly Karymsky volcano. (Photo:... [info]
(464 Hits)
(464 Hits)

The young stratocone of Karymsky is composed mainly by viscous lava flows occupying a circular calde... [info]
(506 Hits)
(506 Hits)

As the helicopter passes at near distance, we also get a good view into the crater. (Photo: Tom Pfei... [info]
(456 Hits)
(456 Hits)

Next announcement by the stewardess: Maly Semiachik volcano. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(500 Hits)
(500 Hits)

Reaching Uzon caldera. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(452 Hits)
(452 Hits)

The caldera is approx. 8-12 km wide and was formed by multiple large explosive eruptions in the past... [info]
(411 Hits)
(411 Hits)

The flat floor of the caldera contains lakes and tundra. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(461 Hits)
(461 Hits)

It is also the largest and most active geothermal field in Kamchatka. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(403 Hits)
(403 Hits)

Colorful ground and small rivers. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(378 Hits)
(378 Hits)

Partially dried-up mud ponds. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(401 Hits)
(401 Hits)

Circular mud pond about 3 meters across. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(419 Hits)
(419 Hits)

Steam vents are seem in many places. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(582 Hits)
(582 Hits)

Small ponds (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(366 Hits)
(366 Hits)

View onto the landscape on the way to the next stop, the Valley of Geysers, a short 5 mins flight aw... [info]
(357 Hits)
(357 Hits)

Red mud volcano. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(498 Hits)
(498 Hits)

Area with numerous hot springs. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(364 Hits)
(364 Hits)

Bubbling spring (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(381 Hits)
(381 Hits)

Light curtains (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(388 Hits)
(388 Hits)

An eruption of the "Big Geyser" ejects jets of steam and water to about 10 meters height. (Photo: To... [info]
(389 Hits)
(389 Hits)

On the way back, we pass Zhupanovsky volcano again, which now emits only a dense steam plume. (Photo... [info]
(403 Hits)
(403 Hits)

The water is so nice and warm that it's difficult to get out of it again. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(408 Hits)
(408 Hits)

Evening view of Koryaksky (l) and Avachinsky (r) volcanoes from a field near our dacha (guesthouse).... [info]
(411 Hits)
(411 Hits)

18 Sep: early morning view over the Avachinsky Bay. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(392 Hits)
(392 Hits)

View acorss the fog-covered bay towards Vilyuchinsky volcano. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(351 Hits)
(351 Hits)

Famous Kamchatka crab. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(425 Hits)
(425 Hits)

The "3 brothers", eroded sea pillars near the exit of the bay to the open Pacific. (Photo: Tom Pfeif... [info]
(458 Hits)
(458 Hits)

The excursion is lot of fun as we try our fishing skills. Britta already catches her lunch quickly. ... [info]
(410 Hits)
(410 Hits)

Livia has success, too, in the end... (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(414 Hits)
(414 Hits)

We also catch a large king crab. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(464 Hits)
(464 Hits)

And a diver brings up a bucket of sea urchins. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(375 Hits)
(375 Hits)

Columnar-jointed lava formations. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(501 Hits)
(501 Hits)

Many sea birds also inhabit the area. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(357 Hits)
(357 Hits)

Lunch on board: salmon soup, fresh sushi, sea urchin and fried fish from our catch. (Photo: Tom Pfei... [info]
(411 Hits)
(411 Hits)

Plus, of course, (but only outside on deck), "all you can eat" Kamchatka crab. Livia is very happy! ... [info]
(461 Hits)
(461 Hits)

Afternoon stroll through downtown of Petropawlowsk. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(398 Hits)
(398 Hits)

Stairway near the theatre. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer) [info]
(404 Hits)
(404 Hits)