1336 Etna, Stromboli and Vulcano - Advice!

Since being a child I have wanted desperately to see the Volcanoes of Sicily!

I have finally organised a trip a will be arriving in Catania on the 24 September and will walk Etna for 2 days then onto the others for a weeks trip.

I very much would like to find out what to bring in terms of clothing for the Etna summit, I understand that at ground level the temperature will be a pleasant 70 - 80 degrees and that shorts and tees will be fine, but I'm sure at 3000m+ it will be a bit colder?

Can anyone advise me? I don't want to be ill prepared but am struggling to find anyone who has trekked Etna in September/October.

Many Thanks in advance, Lavalee

Category
Travel & Holiday Advice

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 09/14/2005 - 05:31

I went on an organised Etna trip around this time last year (a couple of weeks later actually). While the weather was very pleasant down below, it was really chilly at 3000m. It was very windy and I was so pleased I'd had the foresight to dress warmly in several layers and bring a windbreaker as well as gloves and a hat! I wish I'd thought of taking a flask of something hot to drink with me as well! It was a great trip but I'm sure I would have enjoyed it even more had I not been so cold! I hope you enjoy yours.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 09/14/2005 - 06:36

Thanks Girasole! That's very helpful - what was the trek like? Hard work I would imagine. Any other tips? Were there lots of people walking up at the same time?
Good scenery etc? Any info would be greatly received - only if this is convenient!!

Thanks again Lee

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 09/19/2005 - 08:08

Hi Lee,

I didn't actually go on a proper trek - sorry if I gave you that idea. Mine was a bus trip up to about 1000m (if I remember correctly) where we transferred into rough terrain vehicles and continued with those up to about 2-300m from the summit to watch the sunset. We had a couple of stops on the way and did a bit of walking around, checked some craters, fissures and lava fields but nothing too strenuous. Oh, and my trip was on the north face. The drivers/guides were quite mad - especially racing down from the summit after dark! :eek:

I found this website which may give you the kind of info you're looking for:
[url]http://www.mandalatrek.com/eng/etna.htm[/url]

Have to say,though, that scenery was wonderful and the sunset breathtaking!. :cool:

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 10/01/2005 - 06:37

Hi Lavalee
The Etna volcano use to be covered by snow almost all the winter.
In September you will not find snow on it, however the temperature will be very fresh.
The top of the Etna is about 3300 mts. You cannot reach the top by yourself, because the Etna is a very huge mountain and if you don’t know where you are going, you can loose the road. However my advice can be to reach the Sapienza refugee at 1900 mts. Using a national road from Catania and following direction Nicolosi and then Etna Sud, you will reach the refugee in 45 min. From the refugee you have different choices, like taking the cable or starting from the side of the refugee you will find different itineraries (some very easy and some where you need to be trained and fit enough).
At sapienza refugee there is also a Tourist info center where you can get all the info you need and there you can also ask for an alpine guide to assist you during your excursion.
Hope it will help you
Ciao

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 10/02/2005 - 21:24

I went in October, and you are correct, the weather will be nice and balmy down at sea level. It probably was about 60 degrees F. when we left.

We went up by car, and then paid for a tour in a rough terrain, 4 wheel vehicle that held about 30 people. It was shake and bake all the way up, but it was a lot of fun, and highly recommended.

Anyways, when we reached the top, we could see ice and a little bit of snow. It was also very very windy...I'd estimate about 55 mph (88km).

Good luck! You will enjoy it.

Larry