4-Xtremes – Part 25: “Dancing on the volcano” for the Kammermanns

Series: 4-Xtremes – The World Tour

Fiery!

Mount Etna has been quite active since the beginning of this year. Reason enough for Andrea and Mike to risk climbing the volcano in their Axor. A well-rewarded spirit of discovery!

Perfect timing: this year Mount Etna has been particularly active and Andrea and Mike experience it first hand.


One of the reasons we love our mobile home is that the Axor and its living area give us the freedom to stay at locations without an infrastructure and to enjoy nature. And yet again we have benefited from that – on Sicily.

Mount Etna is perhaps the greatest wonder of nature on the Italian island. This is particularly true this year because the volcano has been very active since January. Its summit is about 3300 metres high. We select a route that will take us up to an altitude of about 2000 metres.


On Sicily the Kammermanns go through lava fields …
On Sicily the Kammermanns go through lava fields …
… around serpentine bends …
… around serpentine bends …
… and past sunken houses…
… and past sunken houses…
… up to an altitude of 2000 metres …
… up to an altitude of 2000 metres …
… in time to experience Mount Etna erupt.
… in time to experience Mount Etna erupt.

Thin air at an altitude of 2000 metres.

The journey is very impressive: you head directly towards the volcano and your ears pop several times. We pass through villages, cross a lava field on a new road and pass sunken houses. Our destination is a visitors’ car park on the south-east side.

We then continue on foot, climbing the steep slope through lava sand to a crater which was created during the eruption in 2002. For every two steps forward you slip back one. For months now we have been travelling at sea level so now the air seems to be very thin up here. The first night we set up camp with a view of the active crater from which smoke is rising.


Two steps forwards, one step back – and Aimée needs “shoes”: a tour of discovery on the slopes of Mount Etna.
Two steps forwards, one step back – and Aimée needs “shoes”: a tour of discovery on the slopes of Mount Etna.
Two steps forwards, one step back – and Aimée needs “shoes”: a tour of discovery on the slopes of Mount Etna.
Two steps forwards, one step back – and Aimée needs “shoes”: a tour of discovery on the slopes of Mount Etna.
Two steps forwards, one step back – and Aimée needs “shoes”: a tour of discovery on the slopes of Mount Etna.
Two steps forwards, one step back – and Aimée needs “shoes”: a tour of discovery on the slopes of Mount Etna.
Two steps forwards, one step back – and Aimée needs “shoes”: a tour of discovery on the slopes of Mount Etna.
Two steps forwards, one step back – and Aimée needs “shoes”: a tour of discovery on the slopes of Mount Etna.
Two steps forwards, one step back – and Aimée needs “shoes”: a tour of discovery on the slopes of Mount Etna.
Two steps forwards, one step back – and Aimée needs “shoes”: a tour of discovery on the slopes of Mount Etna.
Two steps forwards, one step back – and Aimée needs “shoes”: a tour of discovery on the slopes of Mount Etna.
Two steps forwards, one step back – and Aimée needs “shoes”: a tour of discovery on the slopes of Mount Etna.

A low rumble in the night.

The next day we drive a few kilometres eastward. There fresh greenery is pushing up through the black lava. To make sure Aimée doesn’t injure herself on the sharp pieces of lava, we put “shoes” on her that we bought to protect her from the cold in Siberia.

At 2.30 a.m. in the second night we hear a low rumble. Through the trees we can see something red. We quickly realise that the volcano is erupting! We get up immediately to watch the spectacle. After an hour it’s got too cold. We decide to take a risk and enjoy a little more warmth and heat before watching further!

And sure enough: at 5.00 a.m. Etna is still active and the light is perfect for taking photos. We have an hour to capture this spectacle of nature. We can hardly believe our luck. The volcano doesn’t calm down until the first cars come up the mountain road.


4-Xtremes – The World Tour.

An unparalleled journey.

Andrea and Mike Kammermann have been on tour in their Axor for three years. "4-Xtremes – The World Tour" is the motto of the journey that the two Swiss nationals embarked on in mid-2020 and which they share with the RoadStars community. Keep up to date and don't miss out on any of the stunning destinations visited by the adventurous pair.

You can find the current parts from the “4-Xtremes – The World Tour” series here.

You can find the route of the trip before the crossing to South America here.

 


Photos: 4-Xtremes

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