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| Hiking | 9.75 Miles |
3,900 AEG |
| | Hiking | 9.75 Miles | 7 Hrs | | 1.39 mph |
| 3,900 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | My first ascent up an active volcano was well worth the effort. Originally planned as a two-person hike with my stepson Chris. Added my 12 year old nephew Marco to the Etna Squad. Marco is a serious footballer (soccer to us Americans). His training paid off. In some of the early climbing he may have been the strongest of the three of us.
We started our journey at the Schiena Dell'Asino TH at about 6000 ft. The trail starts out wooded, but the green forest is soon passed as the ridgeline of Valle de Bove is approached. Valle de Bove was created many many many years ago when Etna blew up and tore a massive crater into the side of the mountain. Valle de Bove reminded me of the Inner Basin in the San Francisco Peaks.
We skirted the ridgeline of Valle de Bove for most of the way until we started our eastward traverse towards Rifugio Alpino at 9600 feet. It was here that we spoke to some of the mountain guides who informed us that a summit would not be allowed today. Plenty of gases and smoke billowed from the high craters.
We walked around a massive crater at 9600 feet and then started our descent. We then made our way over to the Belvedere Viewpoint and took a break to eat some pizza we had picked up in the town of Zafferana Etnae. This next part is where it got really fun. Rather than follow a large zig zag route back to the trail we decided the best route was straight down. We ran through the black gravelly sand, each step sinking into the surface like running on a loose sandy beach. Our momentum carried us in a near out of control sprint down the steep slope. After spending 5 hours climbing the mountain, we were on pace to reach the TH in less than one hour. But, why rush it. We came across an interesting rock outcrop which featured a grotto (resembled a lava tube).
After stopping at the grotto for a few pics, we continued down the mountain and soon intersected our trail with just a few hundred feet descent remaining. The road back down to town is entertainment in itself. Windy road, hair pin turns, crazy Italian drivers, and a spectacular summer display of wildflowers. |
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| This is my gym. I have to travel down a bumpy road to get there. There are no treadmillls, no machines, and no personal trainers. I walk..I run..I breathe the fresh air. I can go any time I want, as much as I want and there is no membership fee. |
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