Sleeping Giants of Kamchatka

No one knows the exact number of volcanoes in Kamchatka – it is simply impossible to count them. According to some estimates – several hundred, according to others – at least a thousand. Such confusion arises because Kamchatka volcanoes are heterogeneous in their shape, structure and state of activity. Those who have fallen asleep for a long time are called mountains and hills, but a volcano that has slept for thousands of years can suddenly begin to show character.

Currently, about three dozen active volcanoes are isolated in Kamchatka. Of course, they don't erupt with lava like Vesuvius. And they do not throw tons of ash into the air, stopping air traffic and paralyzing the life of cities. They really erupted many years ago, and now periodically emit hot steam and a cloud of gases from the vent. It's an amazing sight, but it's better to admire it from afar. By the way, it is not necessary to climb far into the mountains for this. Several picturesque volcanoes are located just outside the city limits of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. They are symbolically called "domestic".

The highest of the volcanoes of Kamchatka and the Eurasian continent is Klyuchevskaya Sopka (4750 meters). It is also the most active volcano of the peninsula. Approximately once every six years it releases a column of thick smoke, and once every twenty-five years there is a real eruption of lava. There is a laboratory of the Institute of Volcanology at its foot, and the giant itself belongs to the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Avacha hill is not so grandiose in its size (2751 meters), but it is
it is very popular among tourists and climbers. The ascent along its slopes is quite safe and requires a minimum set of equipment. In appearance and in character, the hill is compared to Vesuvius. It is a fairly active volcano and has erupted 13 times in two centuries.

The Vilyuchinsky extinct volcano is considered the most beautiful on the peninsula – it has an ideal cone-shaped shape. In winter it sparkles with dazzling whiteness, and in summer it is covered with a pattern of rock bands. The volcano is accessible for climbing even without special equipment and is in demand among tourists.

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