This hill is actually one of the most dangerous and largest volcanoes in Kamchatka.
Its area is almost five hundred and sixty square meters. The volume of lava is also impressive, and can reach 450 cubic kilometers at a time.
But despite such an impressive size, the Ichinskaya hill shows only weak volcanic activity. The last eruption dates back to the 1740th year.
Surrounded by peers
Ichinskaya hill is located in the upper reaches of the Ichi River and is located in the Sredinny mountain range of the peninsula. In this segment of the mountains there are quite a lot of volcanoes, except Ichinsky. In total, geographers have 114 volcanoes surrounded by majestic and beautiful nature.
Once all these volcanoes threw huge lava flows to the surface of the Earth, causing catastrophic eruptions. Many of them died away forever, but Ichinsky continues to rage. Partial destruction of some slopes reduced the elevations in some places, the height was not more than 2800 meters, but despite the apparent humility, scientists seismologists believe that the volcano can be activated at any time.
The volcano is considered one of the most beautiful and highest: at the peak, the height of the Ichinskaya hill is 3631 m. This is a peak that is covered with clouds and ice. It, rising two and a half kilometers above the adjacent mountain ranges, is clearly visible from the coastal regions of the Sea of Okhotsk.
How it all began...
The Ichinskaya hill is composed of frozen lava flows like a layer cake filled with debris, which is not quite usual for volcanoes of this type. First, moving lavas erupted, which formed an ellipse-elongated sole or structure, in a special term, with a diameter of about 20 kilometers. It was a gentle volcano.
Then, as a result of violent eruptions, the upper part of the former volcano was demolished, a hollow remained - a crater. Over time, a volcanic cone grew in the northern part of this building.
And after some time the peak rose, forming depressions in the southern part. Subsequently, the slopes of the cones were broken through by extrusions - dense and short flows of lavas, in the form of flows and layers along the ring fault.
Today, an observer can see the remains of an ancient volcano consisting of two cones, extrusive petrified masses around and short lava flows with slag cones at the base.
Ichinsky volcano formed, among other things, spectacular rocky ridges up to three kilometers high. They are located north of the peak cone.
Before you is Ichinskaya Sopka. The photo of the volcanic eruption is an impressive sight.
Young and dangerous
Ichinsky volcano is considered young compared to other geological formations. It formed about fifteen thousand years ago, with one-time eruptions and outbreaks already at a later time - historical time.
Now fumarole or gas jets appear on the surface of the hills. One fumarole stream is located in the basin on the northeastern surface of the hill, and the other is in the decay of the same side.
Their temperature is about 90 degrees, sulfur deposits are observed at the gas outlet. Despite the fact that the volcano does not work, it periodically "releases steam" and gases, forming clouds up to 250 meters high.
Vapors and gases are now the only evidence of the life of the volcano, although in the recent past these vapors were more intense, which is the only manifestation of the life of the volcano.
Here is what the Kamchatka local historian, teacher P. Novograblenov writes:
"A lateral crater on the northwestern slope of the main cone constantly soars. In addition, there is sometimes a thawed place on the main peak. Itelmens believe that on which side the thawed place appears, on the other hand there will come a wind (epidemic)."
In the photo: the representative of the local fauna is the hare, sometimes you can meet gophers and partridges.
Let's go to the volcano mountain trail
The harsh and fantastically beautiful land of Kamchatka volcanoes has always attracted travelers.
The local tourist route usually starts from the village of Esso, but you can drive up to the Ichinsky Sopka area by highway from the village of Milkovo. In this case, after 3 hours you can be at the foot of the volcano.
The route captures the territory of the Bystrinsky Natural Park.
The coordinates of the Ichinskaya hills: 55 ° 41 ′ north latitude and 157 ° 44 ′ east longitude.
You can get to the village of Milkovo by local regular buses or by car on the navigator.
You can go to the volcano from the Ptichy brook, this route runs from Lake Tymkygymgyn to Lake Arbunat, with a parking on the western side of the lake. It will take 5 hours to climb to the top.
The first ascent to the volcano Ichinskaya Sopka was done 60 years ago. Most climbing is done in late spring or early summer. At this time, the snow is well "clinging" to the glacier, you can go on it on snowboards.
However, all trips or climbing excursions must be made with an experienced instructor, parking should be done in the forest zone.
And in the summer, you can fish (char) in Lake Angra in the Ketchan Valley, enjoy a fragrant ear and admire the majestic nature of Kamchatka.