When your mum's family is from Frutillar and you've spent childhood summers staring across Lago Llanquihue at the perfectly symmetrical cone of Volcán Osorno, eventually the mountain calls your name.

Last summer, while visiting home in southern Chile, I decided to welcome the new year in an epic way—by summiting Osorno. And not just any summit hike—an actual ice-climb to the top with the incredible team at Huella Andina Expeditions.

An Early Start on an Icy Giant

My guide picked me up around 4:00am. We drove toward the base of the volcano in silence, passing sleeping fields and glowing forests as we ascended. At the Ski Centre around 5:00am, we parked the car, tightened my crampons, adjusted my helmet, and off we went into the icy dark.

Osorno might look serene from a distance, but don’t be fooled. This stratovolcano rises to 2,652 metres and is capped by an icefield that glints in the sun but bites in the cold. This was my first time doing proper ice climbing, and the challenge was real—physically and mentally.

The climb took about nine hours return. It was slow, steady work. The route passed through snowy slopes, steep icy walls, and exposed ridges that kept our senses sharp. Around 11am, we reached the summit. The views were breathtaking: Lago Todos los Santos and its surrounding forests spread out like a painting, with other volcanic peaks breaking through the horizon.

Packing for the Climb

For this adventure, I packed my 30L fastback with care:

Beanie + buff + trucker hat
Waterproof Fjällräven jacket
Marmot Courmayeur pants
Merino thermals (top & bottom)
Salomon long sleeve dry-fit hoodie
Arcteryx down jacket
Glove liners + OR Gore-Tex gloves
Merino t-shirt (Fjällräven)
Injinji socks
2-3L water
Radix meal for breakfast + Patagonia Brew coffee sachet
Nut mix, dried fruits, and assorted energy bars

Huella Andina provided the key mountaineering gear: crampons, helmet, and ice axe (a.k.a. piolet). I also rented mountaineering boots through them.

Meet Huella Andina Expeditions

Note: This tour was not sponsored. All views shared here are from my personal experience with Huella Andina Expeditions.

The cost of the guided climb was $270 USD per person. I was lucky to be the only person signed up that day, so I ended up with a private tour—a truly unforgettable experience.

Based in Puerto Varas, Huella Andina Expeditions is a local guiding company with deep roots in the Los Lagos and Patagonia regions. They specialize in mountaineering, volcano ascents, and custom outdoor experiences across southern Chile. Their certified guides are not only skilled in glacier travel and high-altitude safety, but they also bring an incredible level of local knowledge, storytelling, and connection to place.

What I loved about Huella Andina was their focus on responsible tourism. They ensure each participant is well-briefed, equipped, and supported throughout the journey. Their small-group approach means you feel safe while still immersed in nature's raw beauty. If you're looking to climb Osorno, explore Cochamó, or hike remote Patagonian valleys, these are your people.

Climbing With Care

While Osorno is sometimes advertised as a scenic "bucket list" hike, make no mistake: this is a technical, glacier-covered volcano. Even on guided climbs, you need to come prepared. The sun is deceptively intense and the wind unforgiving.

Pro tips:

Reapply sunscreen every hour (learn from my mild frostbite experience!)
Consider wearing a balaclava to protect your nose and cheeks
Get physically ready for long ascents with weight
Always go with a certified guide or operator like Huella Andina

Huella Andina was professional, safety-focused, and super knowledgeable about the local geology, glaciers, and mountain lore. They made me feel supported from the first crampon step to the summit snap.

A View Like No Other

I’ve seen this volcano from many angles, including during the Vulcano Ultra Trail race. But standing at the top, ice axe in hand, wind howling and heart thumping, gave me a whole new perspective.

Climbing Osorno was more than just a physical feat. It was a way to honour my roots, connect with the land I grew up in, and start the year grounded and grateful. If you ever find yourself in southern Chile, consider swapping the fireworks for crampons. You won’t regret it.