Mount Etna (Sicily, Italy)
N 37° 44.509 E 014° 59.737
33S E 499613 N 4177169
The power and romance of Mount Etna, at 3323 m the tallest active volcano in Europe, and undoubtedly the key feature of the eastern part of Sicily have attracted the attention of travellers, artists, poets and philosophers for centuries...
Waymark Code: WM7E9C
Location: Sicilia, Italy
Date Posted: 10/13/2009
Views: 29
Mount Etna (also called Mongibello or Muncibeddu in local dialect) has always dominated the lives of those who live in its shadow... Its lava flows and dust clouds bring destruction, but they also enrich the soil, making the lower slopes and the surrounding plains some of the most fertile regions in Sicily, and spawning vast expanses of vines and citrus plantation.
The periodic Mt. Etna's eruptions have been well documented through history, from the tales of Pindar to the modern day. Recent eruptions have been spectacular in their nature, though quite safe as they start far from inhabited areas. Whenever Etna erupts, journalists and travellers are drawn from all over the world to admire (from a safe distance) the unique sight of the smoking craters and snaking lava flows, which are visible from miles away. Hiking on Etna is a breathtaking experience and you will get much more from it if you take advantage of the knowledge of one of our qualified guides. A cable car takes some of the sweat out of the trip up, and the descent past the awe inspiring Valle del Bove with its deep canyon of spent lava flows is an experience you won’t forget in a hurry...
The given coordinates assign the point, 300 m under south crater in the 3110 m (the key picture), where we finished our trip to the Etna's summit in April 2007. Coming snowstorm wiped us soon to the safer elevation... The Etna was very active during our visit.