Climbing Mount Etna

Climbing an active volcano on Sicily, Italy

Sep. 2, 2017 - Willem L. Middelkoop

Last week me and my wife went to Sicily for a little summer holiday. It is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. It is an autonomous region of Italy, along with surrounding minor islands. It's home to Europe's largest active volcano: Mount Etna. We had a chance to visit this lava spurring monstrosity and it was quite the experience.

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Lateral crater from 2001 - but if you look closely you'll notice many additional craters further below

Fresh lava, just a few months old, clearly recognisable

The brown color is oxidation iron, or simply — The brown color is oxidation iron, or simply "rust"

Our guide, Peppe, uncovers some dark patches on the crater. Steam escapes from it - you can literally feel the heat!

Rough terrain

Mountaineering like a pro... of sorts. :-)

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