The Hike
1. The Cable Automotive
From Rifugio Sapienza we cease on the assembly level to separate off into separate teams for a scenic experience as much as 2500 metres.
Additional chaos right here, in a constructing properly previous its’ “sell-by” date and simply not designed for the numbers of tourists it has to handle each day.
There have been two makes an attempt to construct new cable vehicles however each have been destroyed by current eruptions.
You’ll be requested to put on your helmet so you possibly can be part of the ‘particular line’ for excursions, which can actually hack off all of the folks not sporting helmets as a result of your line will transfer faster than theirs.
Ultimately, you’ll filter by means of a small hole and get onto the cable automobile.
The views are marred a bit by the scratched perspex of the cable automobile home windows. Nonetheless, you get your first actual sense of simply how huge and dramatic Mount Etna is as you head upwards into the clouds, over the black lava fields and the tiny folks strolling the trail.
On arrival, you’ll be filtered by means of to attend for the 4×4 bus, once more getting particular therapy since you are sporting a helmet!
2. The 4×4 Bus
As soon as we disembark the cable automobile, we catch a 4X4 bus to drive alongside the slopes and solidified lava flows to 2,920 meters
These are superb. They’re like buses on steroids with big tyres and visual shock absorbers.
It was a bumpy experience as much as 2,920m the place the ‘new’ cable automobile station bought melted by a current eruption!
There are not any services right here (‘cos all of them bought melted by the eruption!) so be sure to use the john on the cable automobile station earlier than getting on the bus.
three. What to Anticipate
Your information will introduce him/herself and you’ll set off over a lava plain; the trail right here is fairly flat and simple going with a lot of volcanic sand and grit.
Sooner or later, the information will cease and offer you an summary of your environment, every seen crater and dates of the final Mount Etna eruptions.
As you stand and hear, feeling like you might be on the moon, steam will wrap round your toes and legs and you’ll realise you might be standing on Mom Nature’s personal underfloor heating!
four. The Ascent
The path to the Mount Etna summit adjustments often however you possibly can count on some snow, ice and a reasonably steep ascent of the final 421 meters (1280 toes).
At one stage we traversed a steep slope with ice fields throughout it which I discovered actually difficult; you’ll completely want your poles right here, I had solely taken one pole and wished I had two.
Mount Etna Summit and Crater Trek
It can take round 1 hour 30 minutes to get to the primary primary crater and your information will cease often on the way in which up, to supply data and ensure stragglers can sustain.
5. The Fundamental Summit Craters
As you come during the last lip of the ascent and see the crater in entrance of you, put together to be awe-struck. The rumbling of the deep magma because it erupts underground is inescapable.
Odor the tangy sulphur within the air. Breathe too deeply and you’ll be coughing with it!
The summit is a monochrome moonscape. However the occasional ochre and inexperienced of the rock and sulphur deposits are stunning.
There’s a robust sense of the facility of Mount Etna as you stand on the sting of the abyss trying in on the curling smoke and sulphur developing from the depths. It is unsettling to know the depths however not fairly having the ability to see the underside.
Standing on the rim, you possibly can really feel the warmth warming your face.
It is a shock to show away into the biting wind that whistles throughout the summit.
You’ll traverse across the crater and alongside the lip, in strict single file.
We stopped at numerous factors for data sharing and to attend for clouds of sulphur to blow over.
There are fascinating holes which billow steam as you cross, you possibly can attain in and really feel the warmth however watch out to not topple over.
You are actually above the clouds and the view is unimaginable in each route. Craters, steam and sulphur a technique, piercing blue sky above puffy white clouds the opposite method.
This would be the finest lunch view you’ve got ever had!
The lunch cease on Mount Etna is about 20 minutes lengthy, any longer and you’ll begin to get actually chilly.
Be ready that there’s no-where actually personal if that you must pee, however everyone seems to be in the identical boat and other people simply look the opposite method.
The information provides you with loads of pink wine and provide espresso; we took a flask of tea and it was really superb!
You’ll spend round an hour, plus lunch, on the summit with a lot of alternatives for images and questions earlier than starting the descent.
6. The Descent
The descent was virtually as difficult as going up! We spent loads of time sliding by means of tender volcanic sand and ash.
Taking place was a bit like operating down a steep sand dune in direction of the ocean, besides there was no sea. Solely lava fields stretching out in entrance of you.
As you come down you realise how huge these are and the way really terrifying it have to be when an eruption happens and the lava flows begin.
On three December 2015, there was an eruption which led to a lava fountain which reached 1km (three,300 ft) in top!
There have been areas of ice and snow to cross however these had been simply manageable. We had been right down to the decrease craters fairly rapidly.
7. The Decrease Craters of Mount Etna
Equally as fascinating and simpler to traverse round, the decrease craters are from current eruptions. The trail is far thinner right here as you observe the rim, with steep drops on both aspect.
From right here you’ll proceed the hike all the way in which right down to the cable automobile station earlier than boarding to return to Sapienza Refuge.
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The Expertise
If you’re in Sicily you have to go to Mount Etna. Even should you solely go to Sapienza Refuge for a day tour and take a mini-hike up the crater that’s actually subsequent to the automobile park, do it.
This can be a as soon as in a lifetime, to not be missed, alternative.
In case you can afford it and are match sufficient to hike to the summit, then we’d extremely advocate the guided hike.
Not solely will you be secure within the palms of an skilled mountain information, however they may even share insights and knowledge that provides you with a complete new appreciation for the immense energy and unpredictability of Mount Etna.
I promise you’ll be left in awe and marvel at Mom Nature’s skill to create magnificence and terror all in the identical place.
Bio
We’re Phil and Izzy. In early 2018, we offered our residence that we had spent six years renovating, purchased a motorhome and gave up work…we’ve been touring ever since.
We love discovering and exploring new locations and being on the street in our residence on wheels.
We’re journey seekers with a love of wide-open areas, staying energetic and being by and on the water.
We’re additionally journey bloggers and photographers with a ardour for sharing our tales and adventures at The Hole Decaders
Comply with us on Fb, Instagram @the_gap_decaders, Twitter and Pinterest
