Isola Volcano Day two and departure for Riposto Sicily
Persevere
Pat and Bruce
Sun 23 May 2010 20:09
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37:43.8N 15:12.6E
So we spent another day walking around and decided
to walk up the crater on Volcano. From water level the hike looks bad but
once you get going it is worse at the start. The path is well
maintained but it is loose volcanic sand. But then 2/3 the way up the path
becomes hard clay and rock. Yes clay. What is clay doing near the
top of a volcano? It seems this crater had some uplifting before it
blew. Not a typical volcano emerging from the sea. So luckily it was
a dry day and the clay was not slippery.
At the top is the crater with steam and sulfur
emissions. This is not a USA crater so there are no warning signs at the
top or guides to tell you what not to do. At the base there is one warning
sign but it assumes you understand what they mean. But with the wind
blowing in the correct direction we were able to walk around 1/2 the
crater. Great views of the other islands and the harbor
below.
Once down with rubbery legs we retreated to the
nearest gelato stand for some well deserved cooling off. Overall the hike
took about 45 minute to ascend, 30 minutes around the top and about 30 minutes
down. Glad we did it even though we smelled abit sulphury and had to clean
off volcano dust.
We left Volcano and headed toward Riposto Sicily on
the east coast. Again another nearly windless day. I did have a
faint hope of sailing a little when we left but the winds died as soon as we
left the marina. We hugged the coast of Volcano to look at the southern
shores for future anchorages. Volcano is one of the few Aeolian islands
that has sandy beaches and as a result some decent anchor holding. On the
south shore there is a small town of Gelso that is protected from the northerly
winds in the summer. Looks like a good anchorage but probably gets crowded
in the summer.
So a hard left and off to the Straits of
Messina.
After a long day we made port in Riposto on the
eastern side of Sicily. The other name of the port is Mt Etna Porto,
meaning we are right below the volcano again. More on that
later.
 Please go but beware of the smoke holes! No
rescue was anywhere in sight or any guides but go for it.
 Pat along the trail after it changed to clay from
volcanic sands.
 At the top on the helipad. Do not know how to
call one if needed but they have a heli pad. Notice that I do not carry
anything, Pat has the backpack. White socks are not very
European.
 Marina from the top of the crater. Persevere
is side to.
 Departing Volcano for Riposto Sicily.
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