Mount Etna - Sicily
DATE 19.08.2019 | HIGHEST POINT 3326M
Posted by Matt | Filed under OTHER LOCATIONS
Work sent me to Sicliy for a course and seeing as it was a location to get excited about, Catherine came along too. Mount Enta was only an hour drive away so it was a definite excursion. I booked the guided trip online and we drive up the southern slope of the volcano to 1900m. This is the main tourist point where the majority of the tours go from. It was then a case of meeting the group, taking a cable car and then a 4x4 bus to the start of our hike. The hike took us up to the main crater plus visits to other craters, some old and some new. Our guide was fantastic and knew the history of the volcano extensively plus some indepth geological facts. The hike was fairly strenuous due to the altitude but the guide leads everyone up nice and slowly with loads of stops to talk about the area.
Taking the cable car from 1900m to 2500m
after a short 4x4 bus ride we reached the start of our hike
This is Cratere di Sud Est. This is the more recently active crater. infact, this erupted 2 weeks ago and 2 weeks after this visit.
Heading up the main crater
Bocca Nuova crater last erupted in 1999 but from here we could hear regular explosions down below. apparently caused by pressure forcing up a massive rock inside it's funnell.
it's advised to visit this crater for only a short period due to the effects from the noxious gases emitting from deep below. I must say it was almost too much to even peer inside.
Cratere di Sud Est
This was fun. It's a lot steeper than this picture shows and I'm amazed that I managed to stay on my feet. Oh how I Wish i had brought a dust mask or atleast a hanky
Crateri barbagallo formed in 2002