CLIMB ETNA SOUTH

 

From Catania, following the directions for Nicolosi Etna South, one reaches after about 18 Km the inhabited centre of Nicolosi; after the inhabited centre one goes on northwards to Etna-Rifugio Sapienza: the volcano rises impressive showing a mosaic of woods, lava flows and side craters which spangle the southern slope of the volcano. In about 35 minutes, driving along the provincial road 92, one reaches the Sapienza Refuge and the adjacent station of departure of Etna cableway at 1900 m above sea level; both structure miraculously escaped to the lava flows caused by the eruption of July-August 2001.Currently, the visit to the summit areas begins from the large square in front of the SITAS station; visitors follow a dirt road and after about 30 minutes reach an altitude of 2500 m above the sea level and the terminus of the cableway destroyed by lava flows of 2001.After the cableway station one goes on towards the summit area, bordering to the east the crater of the Lake, the new pyroclastic cone formed during three weeks of intensive explosive activity, which today rises about 100 Km. The road, crossing the lava fields of 2001, proceeds till it reaches "La Torre del Filosofo", from which one enjoys the exciting sight of three of the four summit craters: on the right, the finished cone of the south-eastren crater, in the middle of the so called Central Gulf, and on the left the south-western crater, known as the New Mouth. The persistent activity of the summit crater usually produces dense columns of gas and steam mixed with volcanic ashes, while, sometimes, it is accompanied by explosive activity of Strombolian Type with intermittent throwing of volcanic bombs and shreds of lava which can exceed in height dozens or hundreds metres, accompanied by strong rumbles.