I visited Kamchatka with Isamu Kitafuji from the 02 to the 10th August 2002. Bad weather caused major problems but finally, only one day after Isamu had to go back to work in Japan I managed to get into the volcano by helicopter on my very last day in Kamchatka. Spectacular eruptions were observed.  I would recommend the services of  Lost World Tours  when in Kamchatka.